There are many beautiful breeds and colors of chickens to pick from.
However, some of the most beautiful are black and white.
These chickens are speckled, barred, or have patches of black and white on different sections of their body.
Are you trying to find the perfect black and white chicken for your backyard?
In this article we share the 12 most beautiful black and white chicken breeds, so you can find the perfect one for your flock…
Related: All 9 Gray Chicken Breeds (and Choosing the Right One)
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12. Plymouth Rock
Plymouth Rocks are one of the oldest American chicken breeds.
They are best known for their barred black and white feather pattern. Barring means that there are alternating stripes of different colors on the feather.
Roosters tend to have more equal-size bars than hens. Hens have bigger black bars than white bars, giving them an overall darker appearance.
This breed has long been loved by chicken keepers.
They are extremely friendly and easy going.
Barred Plymouth Rocks tend to handle coop life well, but prefer to free range. They should be given the option to roam safely and explore their environment. They tend to be good flock members and rarely cause issues with other flock members.
Plymouth Rocks are also good layers; however, this level of productivity tends to dip down as they age.
- Weight: Hens (7lbs) Roosters (8lbs)
- Color: Black and white
- Egg Laying: 4 week
- Egg Color: Brown
11. Brahma
Brahmas come in three different color varieties.
- Light: White feathers as a base with black feathers on their head and tail.
- Dark: Dark feathers with white trim, often laid in intricate patterns across their body.
- Buff: Light golden feathers with black feathers on their head and tail.
Only Light and Dark Brahmas have black and white feathers.
Light Brahmas have white feathers with black trim, whereas Dark Brahmas have black feathers with white trim.
These birds have very thick dense feathers, which combined with their small combs makes them cold hardy. If you live in a warmer climate, Brahmas will struggle as they are prone to overheating.
These chickens are very calm and get along well with other flock members.
They will need lots of coop space and roaming space because of their size.
- Weight: Hens (8lbs) Roosters (10lbs)
- Color: Black and white
- Egg Laying: 3-4 week
- Egg Color: Brown
10. Russian Orloff
The Russian Orloff was originally bred for meat.
Both hens and roosters have a spangled black and white feather pattern.
Their feathers have a white base, with a black spot on the edge, giving them a spotted look. Hens’ tails are mostly white with a few black spots scattered throughout. Roosters have elegant tails with silver feathers and black stripes throughout.
You can expect them to lay around 2 light brown eggs per week.
Where this breed thrives is that they are very healthy and resistant to the cold. They have small combs that are close to their head, which makes them resistant to frostbite.
Orloffs are smart, curious and aware.
Just know that they are not extremely common, so finding a breeder can be difficult.
- Weight: Hens (6lbs) Roosters (7lbs)
- Color: White feathers with black spangles
- Egg Laying: 1-2 week
- Egg Color: Light brown
9. Silver Spangled Hamburg
Silver Spangled Hamburgs are another beautiful black and white chicken breed. These striking chickens are extremely popular due to their coloring and unique pattern.
They have white heads and their body feathers are white with black spots along the edges.
This gives them a beautiful spotted look, very similar to a Dalmatian.
Although they are beautiful, they are not the most people-friendly chicken. Hamburgs tend to prefer being left alone with their flock.
This means that they are extremely aware of their surroundings, which can make them nervous and flighty.
The good news is that they are very good layers and will often start to lay eggs at a young age. Hamburgs are also known to keep up with their egg laying abilities as they age, which means their clutch size typically does not decrease.
- Weight: Hens (4lbs) Roosters (5lbs)
- Color: White feathers with black spots
- Egg Laying: 3-4 week
- Egg Color: White
8. Cuckoo Marans
Cuckoo Marans have beautiful black and white feathers.
They have black and white barred feathers that are very similar to the Plymouth Rock. However, their barring tends to be smaller and less clean.
Marans are an easygoing and calm breed, and are not known to be flighty or to pick fights. They also tolerate coop life well, but are active. They should have access to outdoor space where they can roam and forage to satisfy their curiosity.
Overall, Cuckoo Marans are a friendly and easygoing breed. Although they do not enjoy being handled, they do not mind being around people. Some can be so friendly that they follow their owners around!
- Weight: Hens (7.5lbs) Roosters (9lbs)
- Color: White and black barred
- Egg Laying: 3-4 week
- Egg Color: Dark brown
7. Lakenvelder Chicken
The Lakenvelder Chicken has a very distinct appearance.
They have blocks of black and white feathers along their bodies.
These birds have white bodies, with black feathers on their head and tails. In Dutch, their name translates to “white spread over a black field”. These birds do not have any stripes or spots.
Lakenvelders can be tricky to keep though.
They do not handle confinement well, can be a bit moody, and are not known for being easygoing, especially when it comes to being handled. Roosters in particular can be a handful.
- Weight: Hens (4lbs) Roosters (5lbs)
- Color: White body, black head and tail
- Egg Laying: 3 week
- Egg Color: White to cream
6. Dominique Chicken
The Dominique Chicken looks very similar to the Barred Plymouth Rock and the Cuckoo Marans.
They have alternating patches of black and white in a barred pattern.
However, this breed can be distinguished by V shaped bars, rather than straight bars.
Dominique Chickens are calm and mellow.
They are curious and love to spend time outside foraging. These are also very hardy chickens that can withstand the cold and harsh weather.
Dominiques also happen to be one of the best egg layers that you will find!
Hens tend to lay around 230-270 eggs per year.
- Weight: Hens (5.5lbs) Roosters (7.5lbs)
- Color: Black and white barring
- Egg Laying: 4 week
- Egg Color: Brown
5. Columbian Wyandotte
The Columbian Wyandotte is a cross between the Wyandotte and Barred Plymouth Rock.
They are distinguished by their white-feathered bodies and a ring of black feathers on their neck, tail, and wings.
Because their feathers are held loosely from their body, they appear much bigger than they actually are!
Columbian Wyandottes are a very healthy breed.
They are also known to be good egg layers and will lay around 4 eggs each week. Because they are relatively hardy and resistant to the cold, this breed will continue to lay for you throughout the winter months. They often start laying around 6 or 7 months of age.
Just like Wyandottes, they are known for having a docile and peaceful temperament.
- Weight: Hens (6.5lbs) Roosters (8.5lbs)
- Color: Black and white
- Egg Laying: 4 week
- Egg Color: Brown
4. Light Sussex
The Light Sussex is a color variant of the Sussex Chicken.
They have white bodies with a ring of black feathers around their neck. They also have some black feathers on the edges of their tails.
Although they have a very similar appearance to Columbian Wyandottes, the two breeds are not actually related.
The Sussex breed is known as one of the oldest breeds in Europe. They have long been kept as a robust dual purpose chicken.
On average they will lay around 250-280 eggs per year. Their eggs are light brown in color. They can be fantastic mothers too, if allowed to hatch their chicks. They are hardy in the cold and will continue to lay eggs for you throughout the winter.
Light Sussex are easygoing and friendly.
They make wonderful companion birds that form a deep bond with their keepers. They are also extremely curious. This means that although they may manage coop life well, they should also be given plenty of space to roam and forage.
- Weight: Hens (7lbs) Roosters (9lbs)
- Color: White body, with ring of black feathers
- Egg Laying: 4 week
- Egg Color: Brown
3. Mottled Ancona
The Mottled Ancona is another fantastic choice if you are looking to add a black and white chicken to your flock.
These chickens have a mottled black and white feather pattern all over their body.
Anconas are very hardy and can tolerate cold conditions well.
They are curious and independent and enjoy being able to forage and roam freely. If you are considering this breed, then it is important to let them free range.
Anconas are not known to be the most friendly chicken, but they are not aggressive either. They are best described as anxious and jumpy, and tend to not enjoy the company of humans or other animals outside of their flock.
However, this breed is a great egg layer. They can lay over 5 eggs each week. Their eggs are white and are fairly large too!
- Weight: Hens (4.5lbs) Roosters (6lbs)
- Color: Black feathers speckled and edged with white
- Egg Laying: 4-5 week
- Egg Color: White
2. White Crested Black Polish
The White Crested Black Polish is one of the most stunning black and white chickens around!
These chickens have completely black feathered bodies, and a white feathered crown that could rival Elvis’ hair!
Their legs are typically gray or yellow, with no feathers.
You can also find them in lots of other colors including brown.
Apart from their striking appearance, these chickens are also known to have mellow and calm personalities. They are even known to be quite good with children.
Polish are mainly raised as show chickens, but they are still good egg layers. These eggs are white and they typically start to lay later in the season compared to other breeds.
Because these chickens are very calm, they are often bullied by other more dominant breeds. This is an important consideration if you are deciding whether or not to add these birds to a pre-established flock of chickens.
You should also know that their crest of feathers can cause potential health issues.
When their crown of feathers becomes unkept it can impact their vision which makes them anxious and flighty. It is important to keep an eye on the quality of the crest and trim it from time to time.
- Weight: Hens (4.5lbs) Roosters (6lbs)
- Color: Black and white
- Egg Laying: 2-3 week
- Egg Color: White
1. Black Laced Silver Wyandotte
The Black Laced Silver Wyandotte is a color variant of the popular Wyandotte.
They have a black and white pattern on their feathers which covers their entire body.
Both male and females have feathers with white as a base color and a thick black trim around the edges. This mosaic-like pattern is more striking on hens than roosters. Roosters have a silver or white cape of feathers along their back as well.
It is easy to understand why this breed is so popular.
They have long been adored for their easygoing temperament. They are good with kids, and have even been known to follow their owners around.
Wyandottes are known to establish well-ordered flocks with clear hierarchies.
They are also good egg layers.
Wyandottes will lay throughout the winter and their eggs are brown.
- Weight: Hens (5.5lbs) Roosters (8.5lbs)
- Color: White or silver feathers
- Egg Laying: 4-5 week
- Egg Color: Brown
Which Black and White Chicken Is Right For You?
As you can see there is a stunning variety of black and white chicken breeds. Some have black and white patterned feathers, while others may have sections of black and white on their bodies.
Each breed is different not only in appearance, but in temperament, productivity, and their needs, which makes it important that you choose wisely. It is important that you consider what you can offer to your chickens, and select the breeds that can fit well into your lifestyle.
With the wide variety of breeds out there, there will be one which makes the perfect addition to your backyard flock!
Which breed did you pick? Let us know in the comments section below…
thank you for your photos identifying behavior and appreciation of all breeds !!!