15 Best White Chickens For Beginners (and Choosing the Right One)

Some people pick their backyard chickens based on their egg laying ability, others pick on appearance!

You can find chickens in colors ranging from black to red, yellow, and even white.

The stunning plumage of a white chicken is a real eye catcher.

Whether you are looking for a white breed that is docile, or a good layer, or even one that lays a specific colored egg, there is a chicken out there for everyone.

In this article we share the top 15 white chickens to help you find the perfect chicken for your flock.

15. White Ameraucana

The White Ameraucana is the only white chicken that lays blue eggs.

White is one of several colors recognized by the American Poultry Association for the Ameraucana. They will also have white skin. Although they are known for being independent, they are incredibly friendly and curious and make good family friendly chickens.

It gets even better.

They are good layers of beautiful blue eggs and will gift you eggs all year round.

Learn more about the White Ameraucana here.

• Weight: Hens (5.5lbs) Roosters (6.5lbs)
• Color: White
• Egg Laying: 3-4 week
• Egg Color: Blue

14. California White

The California White Chicken is the ideal suburban backyard chicken.

They are a cross between the Leghorn and the California Grey.

Do not be fooled if you get them as chicks though. At an early age, this breed appears yellow with black flecks but will grow into their beautiful white plumage as they reach around 20 weeks old.

They are incredibly reliable layers that will grow quickly.

These chickens handle confinement particularly well for a medium sized breed. This makes them suitable for people living in the suburbs using runs.

• Weight: Hens (5.5lbs) Roosters (7lbs)
• Color: White
• Egg Laying: 5-6 week
• Egg Color: White

13. White Jersey Giant

There are only three color varieties of the Jersey Giant that are approved by the American Poultry Association.

Although the black was the first variety to be approved, the pure white is truly stunning.

You can expect your White Jersey Giant to have willow colored shanks.

Due to their size they are not often picked on either. This breed is as drama free as they come. They are so large however that hens will often break eggs before they have the chance to hatch or even step on their chicks accidentally.

It is for this reason that Jersey Giant breeders hatch using incubators.

• Weight: Hens (11lbs) Roosters (15lbs)
• Color: White
• Egg Laying: 2-4 week
• Egg Color: Light Brown

12. White Wyandotte

The White Wyandotte has a thick layer of feathering and a rose comb because they were bred to brave colder northern climates.

Their thick white feathering helps them blend into their snowy environment.

Despite their size this breed is somewhat reserved and prefers the company of their own kind. This makes them perfect for those looking for an all-white flock. They also enjoy being active and should be allowed to free range to help keep them engaged and healthy. In fact scratching dirt is a popular pastime of Wyandottes.

You can expect your White Wyandottes to be good layers throughout the year as they are not often known for being broody.

• Weight: Hens (6-7lbs) Roosters (8-9lbs)
• Color: White
• Egg Laying: 3-4 week
• Egg Color: Cream and Brown

11. White Rock

Another classic white chicken breed is the White Rock Chicken.

They are often mistaken for either the White Leghorn or Rhode Island White.

White Rocks are born with yellow combs that begin to heavily contrast with their white coat as they slowly turn red with age. An easy way to predict when your hens will start laying eggs is by keeping track of their comb color. Once your White Rock’s comb begins to turn red, they will start laying.

Their white feathering is fluffy because of their dense undercoat.

This makes them especially cold hardy.

White Rocks will often become attached to their keepers. They will be even friendlier if they are used to being handled at an early age.

• Weight: Hens (6.5lbs) Roosters (7.5lbs)
• Color: White
• Egg Laying: 5 week
• Egg Color: Brown

10. White Sussex

The Sussex is one of the oldest chicken breeds in existence.

They come in eight different colors, with the speckled being the most popular.

Each hen has a beautiful red, five-pointed comb which contrasts perfectly against their pure white plumage and off-white shanks.

They do not require a lot of care, especially if you allow them to free range as they will spend most of their day foraging. This breed is mellow and friendly with even their roosters being somewhat docile. This makes them the perfect breed for beginners looking for a white chicken breed.

• Weight: Hens (7lbs) Roosters (9lbs)
• Color: White
• Egg Laying: 4+ week
• Egg Color: Brown

9. White Frizzle

Frizzles look similar to Silkies but their feathers are curly rather than flat.

They are technically not a unique breed but a variant of existing breeds. For example you can find Cochin Frizzles, Silkie Frizzles, and even Barred Rock Frizzles.

Barred Rock Frizzles will always either be black or white, whereas popular breeds such as Cochins and Silkies will have a wider selection of colors which you can choose from (including white).

Their plumage certainly tells a different story.

Though this breed is frequently kept for their beautiful and unique feathering and appearance, they are also incredibly friendly and easy to handle. Just be gentle when holding them as their feathers are quite delicate and are prone to breaking.

You can learn more about Frizzles here.

• Weight: Hens (5-6lbs) Roosters (7-8lbs)
• Color: White
• Egg Laying: 2-4 week
• Egg Color: Cream or Brown

8. Hamburg

Hamburgs come in six different color varieties and are well known for their stunning plumage.

Perhaps the most stunning plumage however is the white/silver spangled variety.

Their white earlobes contrast with their bright red wattles and rose comb, which compete against their flowing white tails and blue legs. Their beautifully long and full tails make some Hamburgs look like pheasants and they were called Pheasant Fowl when first discovered.

Most breeds today are bred for their appearance however they are fantastic layers too.

This rare breed lays lots of eggs well into their older age. They are truly the gift that keeps on giving!

Do not expect your hardy and spirited Hamburg to go broody but keep in mind that they love to roam and will suffer if confined. They can get aggressive with other chickens as well.

• Weight: Hens (4lbs) Roosters (5lbs)
• Color: White or Speckled Silver
• Egg Laying: 4 week
• Egg Color: White

7. Yokohama

Yokohama roosters have incredibly long, beautiful white tails and saddle feathers. Their tails can grow up to three feet every year.

Hens have similar features but are less dramatic.

Most of the breeds on this list are all white, but the Yokohama actually has a brown plumage with white speckles. Their neck, tail, and wing tips are almost always white however and can sometimes completely cover the brown plumage.

Although they are predominantly bred for show and ornamental purposes the females are decent layers and do not tend to cause much of a ruckus with their quiet and gentle disposition. They are active and love to free range in most climates.

If you are looking for a white chicken with dramatic and unique features then maybe the Yokohama chicken is for you.

• Weight: Hens (3-4lbs) Roosters (4.5-5.5lbs)
• Color: White and Brown
• Egg Laying: 1-2 week
• Egg Color: Tinted or Cream

6. Bresse

The Bresse de Bény is actually one of the four colors recognized for the Bresse Gauloise.

This is the white variety.

The white variety is the most common variety found in the UK, so if you are in the country and in the market for a White Bresse, then you are in luck.

This beautiful chicken is white with gray and blue legs. They do have some strong yellowish tints in their plumage, so do not expect a purely white chicken if that is your main concern.

Bresses are actually one of the most expensive chicken breeds in the world mainly due to their rarity outside of France. If you plan on purchasing this rare breed, expect to pay around $30 per chicken.

• Weight: Hens (4.5-5.5lbs) Roosters (5.5-6.5lbs)
• Color: White with yellow tints
• Egg Laying: 4+ week
• Egg Color: Cream

5. Sultan

Sultan Chickens originally come from Turkey and have incredibly distinctive features.

Their first and most distinctive feature is their pure white feathers with blue shanks and toes.

If you think of a combination of Araucanas and Silkies then you will get a similar image to the Sultan. They have a V-shaped comb as well as a crest, beard, and muffs.

Despite their extensive feathering, Sultans do not do well in colder climates. They are generally docile and friendly birds and do well on most homesteads.

However because of their rarity, they are expensive and hard to find.

• Weight: Hens (4lbs) Roosters (6lbs)
• Color: White with blue
• Egg Laying: 2-3 week
• Egg Color: White

4. Araucana

The Araucana is a rare and unique looking chicken.

You can find them in several colors, but the white variety is the most stunning.

They can be purely white or white with some darker speckles throughout. Either way, their white plumage is one that stands out and defines their unique features more than their other color varieties.

You will be able to identify Araucanas easily by their ear tufts.

Their next distinct trait is their lack of a tail. Though some may think that this is a disadvantage and limits balance, their lack of a tail does not seem to affect their quality of life.

Some strains of Araucana are nervous and flighty, but most are quite friendly and will do well with children.

If raising a white Araucana is something you are interested in, you can follow this link for more information on Araucanas.

• Weight: Hens (5.5lbs) Roosters (6.5lbs)
• Color: White to off-white
• Egg Laying: 3+ week
• Egg Color: Blue

3. White Silkie

Once you have seen a Silkie they are unmistakable!

Their silky, fur-like plumage is a real head turner, especially in the breed’s popular color variety of white.

The breed has a walnut shaped, deep red colored comb but you can expect it to be covered by their crested pom pom. Their black eyes stand out incredibly against their all-white plumage, but what you may notice standing out even more than their eyes are their unusual light blue earlobes.

Regardless of their plumage color they have black skin, muscles, and bones.

Not only is this an incredibly beautiful and unique breed, but they make great family pets as well. It is important to note that with their laid-back personality comes the possibility of this breed being bullied by other breeds.

This white chicken breed is like no other!

• Weight: Hens (1.5-2lbs) Roosters (2-3lbs)
• Color: White
• Egg Laying: 2-3 week
• Egg Color: Cream to tinted

2. Rhode Island White

Can you imagine a combination of the Wyandotte, Cochin and White Leghorn all in one?

Well, it exists, and you need not look any further than the Rhode Island White.

They look exactly like the Rhode Island Red but with one distinct difference, they are completely white. It is important to keep in mind that the Rhode Island White is considered a separate breed from the well known Rhode Island Red.

You can expect them to look similar to the White Leghorn, but instead of a single comb you can expect this breed to have a rose-shaped comb.

They also are incredibly friendly and make a wonderful addition to virtually any family flock.

Sadly they did not gain as much overwhelming popularity as their red counterpart and since 2015 their population has been in decline. With this breed you not only get to raise a white chicken you also get to help maintain their population levels.

• Weight: Hens (6.5lbs) Roosters (8.5lbs)
• Color: White
• Egg Laying: 4+ week
• Egg Color: Brown

1. White Leghorn

The White Leghorn is exactly what you expect when you hear “white chicken”.

They have an all-white plumage and large, floppy, bright red combs and wattles. Their tails are held quite high compared to other breeds, which helps to show off their purely white feathers.

Not only is this white chicken breed well known for their classic appearance, but they are famous for their egg laying abilities. They are well known for laying at least 4 large white eggs every week.

These extremely active chickens are great for those with a low budget as you will often find them looking for their next snack in the grass which helps to reduce your food budget.

Just remember though that they can be flighty and nervous around humans so do not expect a lap chicken. You can learn more about the Leghorn Chicken here.

• Weight: Hens (5lbs) Roosters (8lbs)
• Color: White
• Egg Laying: 4+ week
• Egg Color: White

Summary

Getting a new breed of chicken to add to or start your backyard flock can be an overwhelming task.

Hopefully after reading this article you have found your next white chicken.

Just remember that regardless of the color of your chicken, proper care and knowledge of your breed of choice will help towards a happy outcome for both you and your chicken.

Good luck on your hunt for your perfect white chicken.

Let us know in the comments section below which breed you picked…