When I first started raising backyard chickens, I was all about the eggs—didn't care about the breeds or egg colors, as long as I had fresh eggs daily. That quickly changed once I got my hens! I fell in love with the diversity of chicken breeds and the range of beautiful egg colors they produce. What started as a simple hobby quickly turned into a full-blown passion, and now I have a large flock of my own. Honestly, I might need to thin the flock soon—30 eggs a day is a bit much! But hey, it also makes me the favorite neighbor!
If you’re thinking about adding to your flock or just getting started, you may want to explore some rare chicken breeds. Did you know there are more than 500 breeds of chickens worldwide? While not all are available in the U.S., there are some fascinating breeds you can find right here. I reached out to the team at Hoover’s Hatchery and asked their flock manager to share their top five rare chicken breeds. Here’s what they recommended:
Top 5 Rare Rare Chicken Breeds
I reached out to Hoover’s Hatchery and asked their flock manager to give us their top 5 rare breeds.
Isabella Leghorns
Jubilee Orpington *only offered in English Orpington Variety Pack
Lavender Mottled Orpington *only offered in English Orpington Variety Pack
Coronation Sussex
Bielefelder
Isabella Leghorn
1. Isabella Leghorn
Leghorns are a classic breed known for their excellent egg production and active, graceful demeanor. Originating in Italy and brought to the U.S. in the early 1800s, Leghorns have since become a favorite among farmers and backyard chicken enthusiasts alike. The Isabella Leghorn is a newer and rarer variety that features beautiful pastel shades of cream and blue. Hens have even pastel blue feathers with cream-colored accents, while roosters have cream-colored feathers with striking blue striping. They’re efficient layers, producing around 300 large white eggs per year. These birds are perfect for free-range environments and are known for their lively personalities and foraging abilities.
Egg color: White
Weight: 4-5 lbs.
Temperament: Active
Laying rate: ~300 large eggs/year
Jubilee Orpington
Lavender Mottled Orpington
2. Jubilee Orpington
The Jubilee Orpington is a striking and rare variety of the beloved Orpington breed. Orpingtons were first imported to the U.S. in 1900, and they’ve been popular ever since for their calm temperament and excellent dual-purpose qualities. Jubilee Orpingtons stand out with their unique mahogany-colored feathers, accented with splashes of white. Their appearance is as regal as their name, and their gentle disposition makes them a favorite for backyard flocks. Although their egg production isn’t as high as some other breeds, they still lay about 150 medium brown eggs a year, making them an excellent choice for both eggs and meat.
Egg color: Brown
Egg production: ~150/year
Mature weight: 6-7 lbs.
3. Lavender Mottled Orpington
Another rare variety of the Orpington breed is the Lavender Mottled Orpington, known for its soft lavender and white mottled plumage. This breed is truly stunning, with feathers that almost seem to shimmer in the sunlight. Like other Orpingtons, they are known for their calm and friendly nature, making them a great addition to family-friendly flocks. They are excellent layers of brown eggs and are hardy birds that do well in colder climates. While their egg production is moderate, with about 150 eggs per year, their beauty and temperament more than make up for it. They are a must-have for any chicken enthusiast looking for something unique.
Egg color: Brown
Egg production: ~150/year
Mature weight: 6-7 lbs.
Coronation Sussex
4. Coronation Sussex
The Coronation Sussex is a stunning and relatively new variety of the ancient Sussex breed, which dates back to England’s market birds of centuries past. These birds are easily recognizable by their striking white bodies and soft powder-blue neck feathers. They’re dual-purpose, meaning they’re good for both meat and egg production, and they have a calm, easy-going demeanor, which makes them great for backyard flocks. Coronation Sussex hens lay about 240 large brown eggs per year, making them reliable layers. These birds thrive in a variety of conditions and are known for their friendly and curious personalities, making them a joy to have in any flock.
Egg color: Brown
Egg production: ~240/year
Mature weight: 7-9 lbs.
5. Bielefelder
Bielefelders are a more recent import to the U.S., originating from Bielefeld, Germany. Developed by poultry breeder Gerd Roth, this breed was created by crossing New Hampshires, Malines, Amrocks, and Wyandottes. What sets Bielefelders apart is their auto-sexing ability, which means you can determine the sex of chicks based on their coloration at birth. This is a huge advantage for breeders! Day-old pullets have distinctive brown “chipmunk stripes” on their backs, while the cockerels are a lighter shade. Adult Bielefelders are large birds with a beautiful crele color pattern—brown, orange, and black barring on the males, and a more muted pattern on the females. They are excellent dual-purpose birds, laying around 230 extra-large brown eggs per year while also being well-fleshed for meat production. Bielefelders are known for their docile nature and make a fantastic addition to any backyard flock.
Egg color: Brown
Egg production: ~230/year
Mature weight: 6-10 lbs.
While Hoover’s Hatchery offers many other rare breeds, these are just a few that stand out! Now, I’ve just realized—I don’t have any of these breeds in my flock! Uh oh, looks like I might need to make some space for these beauties.
I often get asked what my favorite chicken breeds are, and it’s so hard to choose. But if I had to pick, my Barred Rocks and Buff Brahma Bantams are at the top of my list. They have wonderful personalities, are excellent layers, and get along with their flockmates. If you’re looking for a variety of egg colors and are limited on how many chickens you can have, I’d suggest getting a mix of Barred Rocks, Easter Eggers, Polish, Marans, Olive Eggers, and Cream Legbars. You’ll get a colorful collection of eggs and a flock of friendly, unique chickens!
Until next time,
-The Wing Lady