Our Favorite Chickens for Multi-Colored Eggs
Because your backyard eggs should be as beautiful as your garden.
There’s something magical about collecting eggs in the morning and seeing a rainbow of colors in your basket—blues, olives, creams, and deep terra-cotta browns.
At Montecito Valley, we keep a small but mighty flock of eight chickens at our own homestead — including Olive Eggers, Easter Eggers, and a classic Rhode Island Red. Each brings not only personality to the coop, but a spectrum of color to the kitchen counter and a deeper sense of place to our home.
For many of our clients, creating a lifestyle in Montecito or Santa Barbara means more than square footage. It’s about living close to the land—from citrus trees and vegetable gardens to small backyard flocks. If you’re considering adding chickens to your property, here are our favorite breeds for multi-colored eggs, perfectly suited for California’s coastal climate (Zones 10b and 11a).
Why Egg Color Varies
All eggs start white, but pigments are deposited onto the shell during the laying process depending on the breed.
Ameraucanas lay blue eggs (oocyanin pigment)
Marans lay deep brown eggs (protoporphyrin pigment)
Olive Eggers come from crossing dark brown and blue layers for stunning greens
The result? Egg baskets that look like they’ve been curated by a stylist.
Our Top Picks for Colorful Egg Layers in California
1. Easter Egger
Egg Colors: Blue, green, aqua, pinkish, tan
Climate: Excellent for warm, coastal zones
Temperament: Sweet, curious, family-friendly
Easter Eggers are hybrid hens beloved for their pastel egg variety and easygoing nature. They thrive in mild California winters and love sunny backyards — making them ideal starter chickens for new homeowners.
2. Olive Egger
Egg Colors: Olive green to deep forest green
Climate: Hardy in heat; calm in coastal fog
Temperament: Friendly but shy
Created by crossing blue-egg layers with dark brown layers, Olive Eggers are backyard showstoppers. Their earthy-toned eggs bring texture and color to any countertop.
3. Rhode Island Red
Egg Colors: Rich brown, sometimes speckled
Climate: Adaptable to coastal and inland
Temperament: Bold, smart, slightly bossy
A tried-and-true heritage breed and prolific layer, Rhode Island Reds are ideal for homeowners who want both beauty and productivity.
4. Cream Legbar
Egg Colors: Sky blue
Climate: Excellent for warm weather
Temperament: Active, alert, stylish
These British beauties lay dreamy sky-blue eggs and love to free-range, making them perfect for properties with garden space or small orchards.
5. Welsummer
Egg Colors: Terracotta brown, often speckled
Climate: Thrives in Mediterranean zones
Temperament: Calm and independent
Their speckled eggs look almost too pretty to crack. Welsummers are low-maintenance layers that suit both inland ranches and coastal homes.
6. Marans (Black Copper or Blue)
Egg Colors: Deep chocolate brown
Climate: Tolerates heat well with shade
Temperament: Gentle, a little shy
Known for their ultra-dark eggs and beautiful plumage, Marans bring an heirloom touch to any backyard coop.
Tips for a Happy, Productive Flock in California
Shade & ventilation: Even coastal Montecito warms up quickly. A well-ventilated coop is key.
Organic feed & scraps: Supplement with veggie peels, herbs, and garden clippings.
Calcium & grit: Keep eggshells strong with oyster shells and grit.
Seasonal treats: Watermelon in summer, warm oatmeal with herbs in winter.
Can Chickens Change Egg Color Over Time?
Not exactly—but the shades can shift slightly with age or molting season. A hen’s first eggs may be lighter, and some fade as she gets older. The overall hue is genetically set, but the day-to-day variations are part of the charm.
Lifestyle Meets Land
Whether you’re raising chickens for sustainability, aesthetics, or the pure joy of it, multi-colored eggs make daily routines feel like rituals.
Backyard eggs, morning light, and the scent of citrus trees—this is Montecito living at its best.
Explore homes with land, gardens, and possibility at montecitovalley.com
