You can find chickens in lots of different colors like white, black, and even red.
However, few are as unique and turn as many heads as gray chickens! These chickens have beautiful gray, blue and lavender feathers.
Did you know though that there are only 9 true gray chicken breeds in existence?
Most breeds have a combination of both darker shades of white and lighter shades of black that give them the gray color.
Are you interested in adding a gray chicken to your flock?
Keep reading to learn which 9 chicken breeds are true grays…
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9. Blue Andalusian
The Andalusian chicken is a friendly and curious breed.
They are most commonly found in a blueish gray color.
Their incomplete blue dominant gene is sought out by lots of breeders looking to create blueish gray plumages in other breeds.
This Mediterranean breed was actually kept by the Romans though their exact place of origin is unknown.
Andalusians can be a bit nervous and flighty which makes them not suitable for beginners. They are also quite loud. If you can get past these non-beginner friendly traits, then the Blue Andalusian will be a moderately productive layer for you, laying around 100-170 eggs per year.
- Feather Color: Blue
- Leg Color: Grayish Blue or Black
- Egg Laying: 3 per Week
- Egg Color: White
8. Sapphire Gem
Adding a Sapphire Gem to your flock is sure to turn some heads with their blue and lavender colored feathers.
This is the only coloring you will ever find on this breed.
Lots of Sapphire Gems also have a gray pattern around their necks resembling a necklace.
Although they are not currently recognized by the American Poultry Association, the Sapphire Gem is quickly gaining popularity with their unique appearance and fantastic laying ability.
If you are looking to add a not only beautiful, but well-mannered and beginner friendly breed to your flock, then this gray chicken breed is the one for you.
- Feather Color: Blue/Lavender
- Leg Color: Black
- Egg Laying: 5-6 per Week
- Egg Color: Brown
7. Australorp
The Australorp is the national bird of Australia.
They make great egg layers and are also family friendly.
Combine that with the gray colored variation known as the Blue Australorp and you have a beautiful and productive addition to your flock. Their featherless legs are either blue or black as well, usually matching quite well with the blueish gray color of the Blue Australorp.
Although there are a number of colors available for this breed, only black is approved by the American Poultry Association.
Australorps are well known for their egg laying and can lay more than five times a week.
- Feather Color: Black, White, or Blue
- Leg Color: Grayish Blue or Black
- Egg Laying: 4-5 per Week
- Egg Color: Light Brown
6. Lavender Pekin
Pekins are true bantams.
However, what is even more surprising than their size is their plumage. Not only is there a whole lot of it (which makes this breed appear almost round) but the Lavender Pekin is well known for its elegant gray feathers.
Some of these are lighter and others are darker which creates a light lavender color.
The Lavender Pekin is known for being docile and beginner friendly.
They are well suited for young families that want a breed that is comfortable being held.
Just remember that Lavender Pekins are mostly kept for ornamental purposes and are not the most dependable egg layers.
- Feather Color: Gray/Lavender
- Leg Color: Yellow
- Egg Laying: 1-2 per Week
- Egg Color: Cream
5. Lavender Cochin
The Lavender Cochin is an exceptionally large breed with exceptional plumage.
Their thick layering of gray and blue feathers makes them look like walking balls of fluff.
There are currently thirteen color varieties recognized by the American Poultry Association and the Lavender Cochin is not one of them.
Cochins are incredibly well behaved with families and children, as well as other chickens. They are exceptional mothers that are known to go broody and sit on eggs day after day.
Just remember that because of their thick plumage they will need extra attention to lice and mites as well as other feather related health issues. Keepers that can look past this won’t be disappointed when they add this beautiful gray chicken to their flock.
- Feather Color: Blueish Gray
- Leg Color: Yellow
- Egg Laying: 2 per Week
- Egg Color: Brown
4. Orpington
Although the Buff Orpington is considered the most popular color variety of the Orpingtons, the blue colored variety is rapidly gaining popularity.
The Blue Orpington has stunning blueish gray colored feathers.
You can expect the hens to weigh 6-8lbs, and the roosters to weigh 8-10lbs. If they are too large for your flock then there are also bantams available.
As an added benefit you can also expect this beautiful breed to lay a whole lot of eggs for you – 150-250 per year.
- Feather Color: Blueish Gray
- Leg Color: Pinky White
- Egg Laying: 3-5 per Week
- Egg Color: Light brown
3. Ameraucana
The Ameraucana has a very unique appearance because of their fluffy beard and muff.
When you add a beautiful blue color to this you have one of the prettiest chickens out there.
There are 8 color variations of the Ameraucana chicken breed currently accepted by the American Poultry Association with Blue being one of them.
The Blue Ameraucana is covered in beautiful blueish gray feathers.
Besides their incredibly unique plumage, one of the Ameraucana’s greatest qualities are their blue eggs. They are good egg layers and will lay beautifully colored blue eggs all year round. Ameraucanas are laid back too which makes them beginner friendly.
Do you think the Blue Ameraucana is the right chicken for you? Read more about Ameraucanas here.
- Feather Color: Gray/Blue
- Leg Color: Slate Blue
- Egg Laying: 3-4 per Week
- Egg Color: Blue
2. Silkie
The Silkie is the only chicken to have a furry plumage.
Add to this beautiful gray and blue color varieties and you have one of the most desirable gray chicken breeds around! Currently the American Poultry Association recognizes 8 color varieties for the Silkie, with Blue and Gray being two of them.
These beautiful chickens are extremely friendly and great with children. They make great mothers if you plan to hatch your Silkies yourself.
However, their sweet temperament does come with some complications.
They are prone to getting bullied by more dominant breeds. They are also not particularly good egg layers and can struggle in colder environments.
If you are interested in learning more about their care needs then read our Silkie guide here.
- Feather Color: Gray/Blue
- Leg Color: Gray
- Egg Laying: 2-3 per Week
- Egg Color: Cream or Tinted
1. Wyandotte
The Blue Wyandotte is one of 9 recognized varieties of Wyandottes.
This variety has beautiful slate blue/gray colored feathers.
Besides their legs, all of the Blue Wyandotte’s facial features (wattles, combs, earlobes) are bright red. These contrast stunningly with their dark gray feathering.
If you like the appearance of a standard Blue Wyandotte but not the size, you will be happy to know that this breed also comes in bantam sizes.
Although they are not incredibly affectionate, this beautiful, big gray chicken will provide you with lots of eggs and will be more than happy to take care of any small pests you may have.
Do not let their size fool you though!
This breed is quite reserved and are perfectly content in the company of their own kind. Does the Blue Wyandotte sound like the right breed to add to your flock? Read more on Wyandottes here.
- Feather Color: Slate Blue
- Leg Color: Yellow
- Egg Laying: 3-4 per Week
- Egg Color: Cream or Light Brown
Which Gray Chicken Is Right For You?
Although there are many chicken breeds in the world, gray chickens are certainly becoming more popular.
Has one of the beautiful gray chickens charmed you?
Most come with plumages that include silver, blue, or lavender, although their feather color alone does not make a single breed.
When looking for the next chicken to add to your flock it is important to consider more than just their appearance to make sure that they are a good fit.
On your search for the perfect gray chicken, keep in mind that the technical name for a gray chicken will either be either blue or lavender rather than gray.
Has this list helped in narrowing your search for the right gray chicken breed for you?
Let us know in the comments section below…
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