15 Pure White Chicken Breeds

The chicken’s plumage color has played a significant role in the poultry industry for a long time. For instance, bright-colored variants have primarily been associated with ornamental purposes. On the other hand, white-feathered birds are mainly used for meat.

Likewise, most people believe that white living organisms have reduced camouflage chances leading to low survival rates, especially in the wild. Luckily, this is purely not factual because there are several solid white, highly productive chicken breeds in the market. Below are some of the most preferred options, famous for their hardiness and impressive production.

White Sultan Chicken

White Sultan Chickens are some of the oldest breeds listed under the American Poultry Association in 1874. Unfortunately, the rare species are almost becoming extinct because farmers mainly use them for the show and not reproduce. In addition, they perform dismally in cold environments.

Usually, the docile birds weigh four to five pounds and are sometimes classified both as Bantams and large fowls due to their size. Sultans are considered best for meat production because of their large and tender breasts.

Moreover, they manage to produce 1-2 eggs weekly and 50 pieces annually. It is worth noting that earlier breeders crossbred them with large varieties like Cornish Cross to enhance the size.

While Sultans are somewhat small, they are a sight to behold with their heavily feathered white plumage, puffy crests, long beards, and long tails. Moreover, they have impressive, thick necks, V-shaped red combs, and heavy feathering around their feet.

Surprisingly, it is one of the few documented chicken breeds with five toes and a red face. In rare cases, you can come across a blue or black chicken breed.

• Average Weight: 4-6 lbs
• Average Egg Laying: 60 eggs/year
• Average Lifespan: 5-8 years

White Araucana

Originally from South America, White Araucana got their name from the Araucano tribe. They are some of the recognized chicken species that lay blue eggs. When they mate with other chicken breeds, there is a high likelihood of the birds producing greenish-blue eggs.

The birds have two distinctive features that set them apart from the rest. In short, they are rumpless and have tufts that grow like an appendage around the neck area and ear lobes.

Basically, a rumpless bird has no tail or bone around it. Thanks to their rumpless trait, predators often struggle to catch them in the wild and at homes too. Apart from their pleasant personality, Ameuracas are excellent egg layers and can annually give you 170 to 200 pieces.

The cock weighs 5.5-7 pounds (2.5 to 3.3 kg), while the hen follows suit at 5-6 pounds (2.3 to 2.7 kg). Although solid white is the standardized color for Ameuracas, you can also get blue, spangled, pile, golden, silver, black and black red varieties.

• Average Weight: 5-6 lbs
• Average Egg Laying: 170-200 eggs/year
• Average Lifespan: 8-10 years

White Australorp

Even if this is a recent addition to the poultry industry, the White Australorp breed has made a significant impact. The friendly birds are phenomenal layers, with most hens producing 250-280 eggs annually. Also, they are pretty good nest sitters and mothers to their offspring.

It is a robust breed and often resilient to common fowl ailments. With a well-rounded chest and body, the chicken weighs 6 to 9 pounds. Some of the unique features of Australorps are the red comb, earlobes, and wattles.

Additionally, it has an upright posture with the tail high up. Akin other bird’s species, it has four toes in each leg and white underfoot. We cannot forget to mention the dark beak and the shiny black eyes.

• Average Weight: 6-9 pounds
• Average Egg Laying: 300 eggs/year
• Average Lifespan: 6-10 years

White Orpington

In recent times, the White Orpington chickens have become a favorite among poultry lovers. Mainly, this is because of their laid-back dispositions, high-quality meat, and egg-laying prowess. Keep in mind that these birds appreciate regular petting and love staying close to the humans.

Currently, the American Poultry Association recognizes four Orpington varieties; white, black, buff, and blue. The mellow birds perform pretty well in cold sessions, thanks to their fluffy feathers. If fed well and placed in less stressful enough, Orpington hens can lay 220 to 280 eggs annually.

Given that they are meat birds, you can start harvesting them from as early as 22 weeks. Generally, these birds weigh 7 to 10 pounds when fully grown.

• Average Weight: 8 lbs
• Average Egg Laying: 220-280 eggs/year
• Average Lifespan: 7 to 9 years

Rhode Island White

This is another famous breed that came from Rhode Island in the 1880s. It is a calm and hardy bird species with single combs and red wattles. Moreover, they have yellow feet and legs. The best thing about these birds is that they perform well in free-range and under confinement. They also get along with other chicken breeds in the same space.

Their egg-laying prowess is remarkable, with one particular case a hen in Missouri that produced 306 eggs with 365 days. That said, you should expect 250 to 270 brown eggs from this easy-going species. They mature early and have a deadweight of 6 to 10 pounds.

• Average Weight: 6-10 lbs
• Average Egg Laying: 300 eggs/year
• Average Lifespan: 6-10 years

White Jersey Giant

Most likely, this is the largest purebred chicken species in the US and worldwide. Even in their bulk sizes, White Jersey birds are gentle giants, admired by many. Developed initially in New Jersey, the white variety weighs 11 to 16 pounds, with their black counterparts slightly heavier. They have a relatively shorter tail with an extended, flat tail.

Furthermore, the bird has a long wide body that gives it a square shape. They are yellow-skinned with red combs and wattles. Note that the hens rarely go broody and make a pathetic nest sitter because of their bulk weight. Nonetheless, they are average layers and can comfortably produce 150 to 200 brownish eggs annually.

• Average Weight: 11-16 lbs
• Average Egg Laying: 150-200 eggs/year
• Average Lifespan: 8 to 12 years

Bresse Gauloise

This French breed of chicken originates from Franche-Comte, Bourgogne, Rhone-Alpes regions. There are a couple of legal limitations on using this name on chicken raised out of this area. As a result, this breed is not registered under the American Poultry Association yet.

All in all, white chickens from Bresse are regarded as superior and command elevated prices. The first import to the States happened in 2011. Due to importation challenges, Bresse chicken bred in the US are now referred to as American Bresse. These extremely expensive white birds weigh 5 to 8 pounds in adulthood.

The main reason behind the exorbitant price is that Bresse has unusually thin skin and light bones. Thus, the meat from the bird is classified as the unique tastiest worldwide. The species is cold and heat tolerant and lays 250 to 270 eggs per year.

• Average Weight: 5-8 lbs
• Average Egg Laying: 250-270 eggs/year
• Average Lifespan: 6 to 10 years

Ixworth Chicken

This chicken breed was developed around the 1930s in a village known as Ixworth in England. The intention was to create high-quality meat and a fast-growing breed with practical egg-laying capability.

Records indicate that experts cross-bred White Sussex, White Minorca, and White Orpington to make Ixworth Chicken. Although the breed became almost instinct in the 1970s, experts have done remarkable work reinstating it.

Similar to other pure white varieties, they have red wattles and combs. Their flesh, beak, and feet are white with bright orange/red eyes. Averagely, the chicken weighs 6 to 8 pounds. There is also a Bantam variety that weighs about 4 pounds. Similar to Bresse chicken, they are highly-priced because of their outstanding meat quality.

• Average Weight: 6-8 lbs
• Average Egg Laying: 270 eggs/year
• Average Lifespan: 6 to 8 years

White Leghorn

Formally, these striking birds were known as the Italians before changing the name to Leghorns. The name is an anglicization of the term Livorno, a port city where the birds were first imported to the States in the 1820s. Unknown to most people, Leghorns come in various colors apart from white.

Surprisingly, they have a rose or a single comb, white ear lobes, yellow beaks, and red/orange eyes. The chicken was admitted to the American poultry association in 1874. Their standard weight ranges from 5 to 7 pounds, with the Batam varieties approximately at 2 pounds.

Although they handle confinement well, Leghorns quickly become bored. For this reason, they may become extremely noisy or aggressive to humans. The hens are egg dynamos and lay 280 to 320 white eggs per year. Rarely do Leghorn hens go broody because they were created as layers instead.

• Average Weight: 5-7 lbs
• Average Egg Laying: 280-320 eggs/year
• Average Lifespan: 5 to 8 years

California White Chicken

A California white chicken is a beautiful addition to your background. Not only are they fun and easy to keep, but they are also excellent layers that produce 280 -300 to large eggs annually. They were created from a Gray California rooster and White Leghorn hen.

The beauty of it all is that the species has the best features from each parent. For example, they get their friendly nature and massive size from the Gray California birds. Likewise, they produce large eggs similar to the Leghorns. Compared to other chickens, they have larger combs and some black spots on their plumage.

Also, they are escape experts and excellent fliers. Therefore, ensure that the coop is tall enough to keep them safe. Their dead weight is roughly 6 to 8 pounds.

• Average Weight: 6-8 lbs
• Average Egg Laying: 280-300 eggs/year
• Average Lifespan: 6 to 8 years

White Faverolles

Even though they were created for egg-laying, most farmers raise White Faverolles for ornamental purposes. They were developed in Paris, France, around the 1860s by crossbreeding Malines, Brahmas, French Rennes, Dorkings, and Houdans varieties.

Faverolles are categorized as heavyweight breeds, approximately weighing 7 to 11 pounds. The gentle birds have an excellent egg production of about 240 to 280 eggs per year. One outstanding feature about these birds is that they have a fluffy plumage which makes them appear much larger.

• Average Weight: 7-11 lbs
• Average Egg Laying: 240-280 eggs/year
• Average Lifespan: 6-10 years

White Plymouth Rock

While some experts refer to the White Rock as a variety on its own, it falls under the Plymouth Rock. The bird is breathtakingly beautiful in white with bright red combs. Bear in mind that the combs are yellow soon after hatching but change color as the bird grows older. With heavy fluffy feathers, the birds survive well, even in the coldest places.

At maturity, White rock birds weigh at least 7 to 9 pounds and are perfect for various delicacies after harvesting. Given that they are excellent foragers, you should put them under free-range for better nutrients intake. Outmost, these hardy, gentle birds will give you 200 to 250 eggs annually.

• Average Weight: 7-9 lbs
• Average Egg Laying: 200-250 eggs/year
• Average Lifespan: 6 to 9 years

White Wyandottes

If you are looking for an incredible dual-purpose breed, look no further. In addition, they perform well in northern cold climates and are perfect table birds. Your average White Wyandottes chicken may weigh 5 to 7 pounds.

They are often nicknamed curvy because of their curved backs, thick thighs, and rounded breasts. The bird is entirely snow-white with yellow skin/legs and a red comb plus the wattles. Remember that this white beauty is an excellent egg layer and capable of producing 240 to 280 pieces annually.

• Average Weight: 5-7 lbs
• Average Egg Laying: 240-280 eggs/year
• Average Lifespan: 7 to 9 years

White Dorking Chicken

The White Dorking chicken is a unique breed that dates back around 43AD. At the moment, it is in danger of extinction after the development of faster-growing varieties. However, they are still sought by fanatics who enjoy their tasty meat.

The dual-purpose bird has shorter legs, a red comb, and a fifth toe. Weighing in at an average of 7 to 8 pounds, White Dorking is a stocky meat species. They have a broad chest which some people consider as a box shape. A healthy bird can give you 170 to 200 protein-rich eggs in a year.

• Average Weight: 7-8 lbs
• Average Egg Laying: 170-200 eggs/year
• Average Lifespan: 5 to 8 years

Cornish Cross Chicken

Cornish Cross chickens are muscular birds with thick legs and a broad, round chest. If you view this bird from above, it might appear like it has a heart shape posture. The relatively docile birds spend most of the time sitting around. Thus, predators have a field day with these birds because they rarely run away when attacked.

The stocky birds weigh roughly 6 to 9 pounds. While the hens are not meant for commercialized egg-laying, you can still find some eggs in their coops. Nevertheless, the quality and frequency are not well documented.

• Average Weight: 6-9 lbs
• Average Egg Laying: 160 eggs/year
• Average lifespan: 7 to 9 years

Bottom Line

Picking the best chicken for your backyard should be a well-thought affair. This is because you may end up getting disappointed with the wrong choice. Before making any investment, make up your mind on your primary purpose.

Whether you want to harvest meat, collect eggs or simply raise them for pleasure, this article is a good starting point. Take time to conclude on the best pick and enjoy a rewarding experience with pure white chicken.