There are a lot of beautiful chicken breeds, but there is something about the black and white ones that stands out. They come in many different colors so they are all unique, but it’s their contrasting coloring that makes them stand out from the rest. In this blog post we will be discussing some of the most beautiful black and white chicken breeds!
What kind of chicken has black and white feathers?
Columbian Wyandotte chickens are the main you think of when it comes to chickens with black and white feathers. They are very laid back and personable which makes them a great fit for just about any home. They work well in both free-range environments as well as being confined to a certain area.
There are many other types of black and white chickens that we discuss below that may be more to your liking.
Black and White Chicken Breeds
The most popular black and white chicken breed is the Columbian Wyandotte. This bird has a five-color feather pattern that includes black, dark brown, chestnut red, light gray, and silver on their bodies.
They are an ideal breed for those who want a pet they can show off because of their beautiful coloring.
This breed prefers to be kept indoors and is often the perfect choice for people living in colder climates since it has been bred specifically for cold-weather tolerance.
People looking for black and white chickens that do well outdoors will prefer the Chantecler or Australorp breeds; however, these should not be free-range birds but rather ones confined to a certain area like your backyard–they cannot tolerate cold temperatures as well. This bird lays large brown eggs which are an excellent source of protein!
The three most popular black and white chicken breeds include Columbian Wyandotte, Chantecler and Australian Orpington. These breeds come from three different continents–North America, South America, and Europe respectively.
– Columbian Wyandotte
– Chantecler
– Australian Orpington
The other breeds are also beautiful but these three have become the most popular in recent years! They each come with their own special qualities so it is up to you which one suits your needs best! To find out more about black and white chickens of all colors please read on below…
Black and White Chicken Patterns
Below we go over select patterns for breeds of chickens that you will recognize in the names and also the pictures of these animals. This way you will know exactly what you are talking about when you go to a breeder.
Penciled Chicken
Penciled chickens have white feathers that are penciled in with black. This means they may also be called “barred Plymouth Rocks.”
These birds can grow to a large size and so require a lot of space–they prefer free-range environments because they would never survive well being confined indoors all the time!
This breed lays white eggs which don’t contain much protein, but their meat is delicious and clean unlike many other chicken breeds who lay dark-colored eggs.
Laced Chickens
Laced chickens have black feathers sprinkled with white. The Silver Laced was the original Wyandotte chicken variety before other varieties were developed from it. It is a masterpiece of American poultry breeding, and one of the most beautiful breeds we have.
They are known for their docile temperament and while they do well in free range environments, many also enjoy them as pets because of how approachable they are–they will come right up to you!
This is a smaller breed that prefers living indoors; however, some people use them outdoors if they provide the birds with enough protection from predators. They lay small white eggs which contain high amounts of protein.
The most popular lacing chicken breeds include: Sumatra Lace Face or Americana Penciled Rock chicks. The latter lays dark brown eggs so it’s important to know what kind you want before purchasing one!
Barred Chickens
Barred chickens have feathers that alternate from black and white. They are also called “Crested Cream Legbar” because of their unique coloring.
This breed is known for being beautiful, but they can be hard to find–they are not as popular in recent years. Barred chickens need a lot of free-range space so if you don’t want them confined indoors all the time then this may not be the best choice for you!
They lay brown eggs which contain more protein than other chicken breeds who lay lighter colored eggs.
Black And White Chicken Breeds
Breed | Use: Egg/Meat | Egg Color | Egg Size | Eggs Year | Female(lbs) | Male(lbs) | Broody | Price(Eggs) | Hardy |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Barred Rock | Meat & Eggs | Brown | Large | 200 | 7.5 | 9.5 | Yes | $2-$3 | Yes |
Black Laced Silver Wyandotte | Eggs | Brown | Medium | 200 | 6.5 | 8.5 | Yes | $2-$3 | Yes |
Black Sex Link | Meat & Eggs | Brown | Large | 250 | 5.5 | 9.0 | No | $2-$4 | Yes |
Columbian Wyandotte | Meat & Eggs | Brown | Medium | 200 | 6.5 | 8.5 | Yes | $3-$5 | Yes |
Cuckoo Maran | Meat & Eggs | Brown | Large | 180 | 6.5 | 9.5 | Can Be | $2-$4 | Yes |
Dark Brahma | Eggs | Brown | Med to Large | 200 | 8.5 | 12.5 | No | $3-$5 | Yes |
Dominique | Meat & Eggs | Brown | Med to Large | 250 | 5.5 | 7.0 | Yes | $3-$5 | Yes |
Lakenvelder | Eggs | Brown | Medium | 280 | 3.5 | 5.5 | No | $3-$4 | No |
Silver Laced Polish | Eggs | White | Medium | 200 | 4.5 | 6.0 | No | $3-$5 | No |
Silver Spangled Hamburg | Eggs | White | Medium | 230 | 4.5 | 5.5 | Can Be | $2-$5 | Yes |
White Crested Black Polish | Eggs | White | Medium | 200 | 4.5 | 6.0 | No | $4-$6 | Yes |
Light Sussex | Meat & Eggs | Brown | Medium | 280 | 7.0 | 9.0 | Can Be | $8+ | Yes |
Mottled Ancona | Eggs | White | Medium | 280 | 4.0 | 6.0 | Yes | $3-$4 | Yes |
Silver Spangled Appenzeller | Eggs | White | Medium | 156 | 4.0 | 5.0 | No | $3-$4 | Yes |
Silver Spangled Orloff | Meat & Eggs | Brown | Medium | 100 | 6.0 | 7.0 | No | $4-$5 | Yes |
The most popular black and white chicken breed is the Columbian Wyandotte. This bird has a five-color feather pattern that includes black, dark brown, chestnut red, light gray, and silver on their bodies.
They are an ideal breed for those who want a pet they can show off because of their beautiful coloring.
This breed prefers to be kept indoors and is often the perfect choice for people living in colder climates since it has been bred specifically for cold-weather tolerance.
People looking for black and white chickens that do well outdoors will prefer the Chantecler or Australorp breeds; however, these should not be free-range birds but rather ones confined to a certain area like your backyard–they cannot tolerate cold temperatures as well. This bird lays large brown eggs which are an excellent source of protein!
The three most popular black and white chicken breeds include Columbian Wyandotte, Chantecler and Australian Orpington. These breeds come from three different continents–North America, South America, and Europe respectively.
– Columbian Wyandotte
– Chantecler
– Australian Orpington
The other breeds are also beautiful but these three have become the most popular in recent years! They each come with their own special qualities so it is up to you which one suits your needs best! To find out more about black and white chickens of all colors please read on below…
There are many Black And White Chicken Breeds out there we will be going over quite a few of the most popular ones along with some unique ones as well.
Silver Spangled Hamburg Chickens
The Silver Spangled Hamburg is a beautiful chicken that comes in black and white with a hint of silver. This breed was developed specifically for exhibition purposes so they were bred to be as beautiful as possible!
Egg production is pretty well at around 200+ medium whites a eggs a year. Their roosters are very stunning with these absolutely beautiful long tails, but they can get caught in the fence and not last long as well.
Columbian Wyandotte Chickens
The Columbian Wyandotte is a great chicken for beginners as well as more experienced chicken owners. This breed is known for being hardy and resilient which is why it has been such a popular choice among poultry keepers.
It is believed this chicken started showing up in the late 1800’s and was due to a cross between a Barred Plymouth Rock and a White Wyandotte. They are very beautiful with a fluffy crest and are also very docile.
They are a dual purpose chicken with great egg production producing 250+ eggs a year. The eggs are a lighter brown and medium sized so thy are great eggs for any kind of breakfast or for ingredients in other meals.
Barred Rock Chicken
The Barred Rock chicken is one of the most popular breeds in America. They are sought after for their reliability and heritage value, though there are other color varieties as well.
Plymouth Rock chickens were developed in New England during the early 1800s by crossing Dominiques and black Javas. Since then, the breed has spread to every part of this country and they make an ideal American-bred chicken with little variation between live weight rates depending on season or region. This poultry group is often called Plymouth Rocks but that title actually refers to the entire breed – not just of barred variety such as Buff, Partridge Silver Penciled (aka Black), White
The Barred Rock chicken is a feather-footed bird with a black and white barred pattern. The hens are very good laying birds, producing around 250+ brown eggs per year of medium size. They have excellent meat qualities and can be used as both an egg layer or for the table because they make tasty broilers.
Barred Rocks require less space than other breeds and can be kept in confinement or allowed free-range. They are easy to care for, very docile birds that will adapt well with children given their tendency to not fly.
This breed is hardy and makes a great pet chicken if you have smaller space. The hens also make good mothers, tending the chicks when they hatch!
Barred Rock roosters (Cockerels) weigh about seven pounds; however, females/hens typically range from six to eight pounds as adults. Their feathers are bright white laced with black barring giving them an appearance of vertical stripes running down their body and across their tail coverts which extends onto the tips of the wings to making this one gorgeous bird!
They lay large brown eggs that are extra thick and heavy with a tint of green as you crack them open. The egg yolks are also very yellow which makes for great scrambled eggs!
Barred Rocks have white earlobes, large wattles stuffed full of bright red skin at the base of their beak, and combs that range from light pink to deep salmon-colored tones. They are a striking bird in appearance though they can take up more space than other breeds if you do not want confinement all the time.
This chicken breed is one we would highly recommend especially for families who live on smaller lots or yards; they will adapt well without taking up too much room!
Black Laced Silver Wyandotte
The Black Laced Silver Wyandotte chicken originated in New York State and is the parent type of all other Wyandottes colors. The Black Laced Silver Wyandotte chickens are a docile bird with clean legs and mostly black laced silvery-white feathers, as well as black tails. They have red rosy combs on their heads, earlobes or wattles, and they sometimes go broody. In addition to being good mothers, these chickens work well in confinement or free-range enclosures; they lay eggs that can be medium to large-sized. These are not show chickens but rather production hens which help make up part of one’s backyard flock.
Black Laced Silver Wyandotte chickens are a docile bird with clean legs and mostly black laced silvery white feathers and black tail. They have a red rose comb, earlobes and wattles. Black Laced Silver Wyandotte chickens are a docile bird with clean legs and mostly black laced silvery white feathers and black tail. Black Laced Silver Wyandottes will on occasion go broody
They work well in confinement or free-range but prefer to be outside where they can scratch for bugs. A great backyard chicken that lays medium to large eggs; not show type because the color is too dark which makes it difficult to judge them at shows/exhibitions. They have a red rose comb which is on the head that they use to hold food in their mouth. There are also ear lobes that hang by the side of your face and wattles around the neck area. They will go broody (meaning they want to sit on an egg) when it’s time for them to hatch new chicks
Black Laced Silver Wyandottes work well in confinement or free-range but prefer being outside where they can scratch for bugs. Black Laced Silver Wyandotte chickens lay medium to large eggs; they are great in the back yard, but Black Laced Silvery White Feathers won’t work well if you want them for exhibition or competition purposes.
Black Sex Link Chickens
Blk Sex Link Chickens are excellent brown egg layers. They get their name from the black and red feathering that can be seen on them. These birds are very versatile, being able to do both meat and eggs well. The temperament of a Black Rock Rooster or Barred Plymouth Rock hen is what makes this bird so sweet-natured and tolerant of heat, cold weather, confinement as well as great foragers.
Bird purpose: Black sex link chickens are great for meat and eggs
Egg production rate: Female chickens lay approximately 265 eggs/year
Egg color: Brown
Egg size: Large
Bird characteristics: Black Sex Link Chickens are calm, docile, hardy in winter, tolerate heat well, and bear confinement well
Black Sex Link Chickens are excellent brown egg layers created by crossing a Barred Rock hen and Rhode Island Red cockerel. Black Sex Link Chickens are docile, calm, hardy in winter, tolerate heat well, and bear confinement well. Black sex link chickens lay approximately 265 eggs per year which is an average amount for backyard chicken breeds.
Hoover’s Hatchery BLP Black Sex Links have a docile temperament making these birds an excellent addition to your flock! These sweet, friendly chickens tolerate heat well and do well in confinement so they’re perfect for those who don’t want their backyard chicken coop taking up all of their space. Hoover’s Hatchery BLPs will provide you with delicious brown eggs year
Cuckoo Maran Chickens
Cuckoo Maran Chickens were developed in France in the mid-1800s. They made their way to England and quickly became popular for their rich, dark brown eggs — a trait they are still known for today. Cuckoo Marans were first exhibited in 1929 by the Poultry Breeders Society of France and have since become popular around the world.
Not only is the Cuckoo variety of Marans beautiful, with dark feathers barred irregularly in light and dark slate coloration, but it also has pinkish-white feathered legs unlike other varieties. Cuckoo Marans lay some of the darkest eggs I’ve seen, and are an excellent dual-purpose breed. These birds aren’t too picky about what they eat or where they live, making them a good alternative for free-range setting.
Dark Brahma Chicken
The Dark Brahma is a very old breed of feather-footed chickens that originated from Asia. In the United States, both the Dark and Light varieties were recognized by organizations like The American Standard of Perfection.
Dark Brahmas are extremely docile and easy to handle. With their small pea comb, large size, and heavy feathering they can withstand almost any kind of weather. Their hens lay a good amount of brown eggs in the wintertime which makes them ideal for laying during inclement seasons. They also make great mothers who take care of their chicks well.
The Dark Brahmas are large chickens, weighing up to 12 pounds. They are mainly be used for egg production. Cuckoo Marans are known for their dark brown eggs, but their egg production is only fair, at around 150 eggs per year. Dark Brahmas can be broody and lay a medium to large-sized brown egg.
Dominque Chickens
This breed is traditionally an American bird, but it dates back to the 1800s in New England. Pioneers brought this breed west and any black-and-white plumage chicken was once referred as a Dominiker because of their resemblance. These birds have rose combs, medium sized bodies, prominent tails, and black-and-white barred feathers.
The common misconception is that the Dominique chicken breed is a simple cross between Barred Rocks and Rhode Island Reds. While both breeds have dark striping and white details, the Dominique’s coloring pattern of red on their head yields a noticeable V-shape when they are in full strut.
At five to seven pounds these birds are in the middle range of heft, and they lay well when given adequate food resources. Their brown-colored eggs are often large and full-bodied. They will not come into reproductive readiness without being artificially induced with hormones or set by another chicken.
A medium-sized, dual-purpose chicken, Dominiques are often raised for their eggs but some farmers may use them as a meat source.
Lakenvelder Chickewns
Lakenvelders are a rare breed of chicken with black markings. They have deep red eyes and long, flowing tails. They forage widely if allowed to run. Lakenvelders are considered threatened by the Livestock Conservancy.Lakenvelder hens lay white eggs and are non-setters.
Lakenvelder chickens have an elegant look with black feathering on their head and neck, with beautiful green sheen on their tail. Lakenvelder chickens lay eggs that are medium-sized and cream in color. Though they produce fewer eggs than other breeds, what they lack in quantity is made up by the quality of their product.
They are not very broody and tend to be scattered in their behavior. They only grow to between 4-5 pounds as adults.
Silver Laced Polish
This breed was originally thought to come from Holland and achieved its name when it was transported from Poland. It’s an old domesticated breed that has been mentioned as early as the 16th century in history. Several varieties were admitted to the American Standard of Perfection between 1874-1996.
Polish fowl is a beautiful, ornamental breed which may be found at shows across the US. They have a shiny, silvery white plumage with lustrous black laced throughout. This trait has been painstakingly bred and refined over the years by breeders, who work to create the perfect shades of black lacing in every feather. Hens lay small white eggs and are not broody.
The Polish chicken is covered in white feathers that are laced by a black border and has an adorable plume of feathers on its head. They have been used for show as well as their egg production.
Silver Laced Polish chickens tend to be friendly, but somewhat flighty. They are not typically broody and lay medium-sized white eggs. The average Silver Laced Polish chicken will grow to 4.5-6 pounds as an adult.
White Crested Black Polish Chicken
The White Crested Black Polish is a striking-looking chicken with their black body feathers and white “top hat.” Caring for these chickens will be as easy as managing to create a little gap in your day for watering. Additionally, they are useful thanks to the rich, dark brown eggs they produce. They are interesting due to their beauty as well.
The White Crested Black Polish chicken originates from the Netherlands, and they are easily identifiable due to their black body feathers with white crests on top.
They can be a small-sized chicken, weighing only 4.5-6 pounds when fully grown. They make good egg-laying production and produce medium-sized white eggs.
White Crested Black Polish hens are flighty birds that lay high quantity eggs and often participate in poultry shows.
Light Sussex Chicken
The Sussex is one of the best egg-laying breeds, and should be included in your poultry lineup. They lay large eggs that are cream to light brown colors while being between 180-320 a year long.
Sometimes have exhibition plenty lines of will good produce producers lower to egg choose numbers from over. many generations; however, there is still plenty of good laying light sussex lines available. It is a medium weight bird but all varieties are slow to mature.
Sussex chickens are characterized by their varied colors, but they should feature a long, broad, flat back and a rectangular build.This bird has dark red eyes in the darker varieties but orange eyes in lighter ones and a medium-sized, single, erect comb. The ear lobes are red and the legs and skin are white. Roosters weigh approximately 4.1 kg while hens weigh about 3.2 kg on average.
The Sussex chicken is a calm, friendly breed that can live in free range or confined spaces. They do best in larger spaces for breeding. Broody eggs are commonly laid during warmer months and they’re good foragers. Generally hardy and energetic, the Sussex chicken is typically robust when kept as a garden fowl.
One of the most striking chickens is the light Sussex. This bird has a white body with black tail and wing tips, a white neck with black stripes, and feathers around its neck that are either completely or partially black.
Mottled Ancona Chicken
Anconas lay lots of white eggs and are hardy. Production: Anconas produce up to 300 large, white eggs per year from one hen.
Temperament: Anconas are easily tamed, but naturally fly away from human contact. If you want a good pet chicken, be prepared to spend some time with an Ancona so that they will tame down and behave themselves.
The Ancona chicken breed was first developed in the late 18th century, and is named after its hometown of Ancona, Italy. The birds were imported to America from Britain shortly after their development.
In the early 1900s, Anconas were called “Mottled Leghorns.” The two breeds are distinct with the main difference being body shape. Leghorns have straight backs and Anconas’s bend at an angle.
Anconas were first accepted into the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection in 1898. With their excellent foraging and laying abilities, they make great birds for both small farms and backyard poultry enthusiasts. Aside from practicality, these beautiful creatures are also aesthetically pleasing.
The Ancona chicken is chiefly black and white, with one white feather for every five black feathers. As they age, the degree of mottling increases. They have clean yellow legs and yellow skin.
Silver Spangled Appenzeller Chicken
The Silver Spangled Spitzhauben is a chicken breed that originated in Switzerland and is the national bird of this country. These chickens are rare the United States and not yet admitted to the American Standard of Perfection.
Cuckoo Marans were first exhibited in 1929 and are noted for their cavernous nostrils, horn type comb, and silver spotted plumage. Spitzhaubens are traditionally primarily bred to have crests that point backwards and have too much hair. We would like to help correct this problem with our own flock, as we feel it will be better for the birds themselves, as well as being more marketable.
Final Thoughts
Black and white chickens are a beautiful addition to any backyard. Whether you’re looking for meat birds, show birds or egg producers they can all be found in this category of chicken breed. You may have seen many black and white chickens on farms when you were growing up but there are some breeds that not everyone has heard of like the Barnevelder which is an outstanding layer! There’s also the Hamburgs which produces excellent eggs with deep yellow yolks as well as a nice amount of brown ones too so it’ll make your breakfast look great no matter how you slice it! Make sure to check out our blog post about these different breeds and see if one speaks to you (pun intended) because we’re positive that
Related Questions
What are black and white hens called?
Black and white hens are called Barred Plymouth Rocks. They have black or dark brown stripes on their feathers that is somewhat irregular in width, length, and spacing. The color of their eggs varies from pale pink to deep chocolate brown with lighter eggshells underneath the darker ones. Their eggs weigh about two ounces per dozen.
Do black chicken lay black eggs
Black chickens like the Cemani and Kadaknath do no lay black eggs. This is all a myth and fake fact.
The black color of the Cemani and Kadaknath chicken is because their feathers are a mixture of white, grey, and blue colors. This is why they have this ashen look to them that can be mistaken for black egg-laying chickens if you didn’t know any better!
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