Olive Egger Vs Whiting True Green: 9 Amazing Differences

When it comes to raising chickens in backyard, there are different types of chicken breeds to choose, each of them has their own unique quality and advantages. Here we will compare between two popular breeds: Olive Egger Vs Whiting True Green chickens.

In this blog post, we will get to know about their origin, temperament, characteristics, egg production, care requirements and more, which will help you to make an informed decision or choosing best one for your backyard chicken flock.

olive egger vs whiting true green

Olive egger vs Whiting True Green

Olive Eggers are a hybrid breed, means they are cross between two different breeds of chickens. The most common crosses for Olive Eggers are Ameraucanas and Marans, but they can also be crossed with other breeds that lay blue or brown eggs.

If you’re looking for a chicken that lays beautiful, colored eggs, you may be considering an Olive Egger or a Whiting True Green. Both the breeds are known for their colorful eggs, but they have some key differences which makes them different from each other.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison table highlighting the key characteristics of the Olive Egger Vs Whiting True Green chicken breeds:

CharacteristicOlive EggerWhiting True Green
Egg ColorOlive (varying shades)True Green
Feather VarietiesDiverse patterns and colorsVarious, often sleek
TemperamentFriendly, inquisitiveCalm, docile
SizeMediumMedium
Egg ProductionModerate (150-200 eggs per year)Good (250-300 eggs per year)
AppearanceVaried feather patternsSleek and refined
Unique Egg FeatureOlive-colored eggsEmerald-green eggs
Family SuitabilitySociable and engagingGentle and low-maintenance
Overall PersonalityInteractive and sociableCalm and gentle
Space RequirementsSuitable for various setupsWell-suited for backyards

1) Origin

A) Olive Egger

The origin of the Olive Egger chicken is a bit of a mystery. Some people believe that they originated in England around 1842, when Chinese traders brought poultry, including chickens, to the country. Others believe that Olive Eggers originated in the United States in the early 20th century.

This is when chicken enthusiasts are started experiment the crossbreeding program to different breeds to create chickens with desired traits, such as blue or brown eggs. The green egg color in Olive Eggers is the result of a recessive gene that is carried by both the Ameraucana and Marans breeds.

B) Whiting True Green

Whiting True Greens were developed in the United States in the early 1990s by a poultry breeder named John Whiting. Whiting wanted to create a chicken that laid deep green eggs, so he crossed White Leghorns with Ameraucanas. The resulting chickens, Whiting True Greens, that lay deep, emerald green color of eggs.

2) Temperament

Olive Egger and Whiting True Green are both known for being docile and friendly chickens. However, there are some subtle differences in their temperaments.

A) Olive Egger

Olive Eggers are generally considered to be more friendly and outgoing than Whiting True Greens. They are known as being “people chickens” and enjoy being around humans. Olive Eggers are also known for being very curious and love to explore their surroundings.

B) Whiting True Green

Whiting True Greens are typically more shy than the Olive Eggers. They are still friendly chickens, but they may not be as outgoing or eager to interact with humans as Olive Eggers. Whiting True Greens are also known for being more independent and less likely to follow their owners around.

3) Physical Characteristics

Olive Egger and Whiting True Green are both hybrid chickens, so they can have wide range of physical characteristics. However, there are some general differences between these two chicken breeds.

Read More About: Olive Egger Vs Easter Egger Chicken

olive egger and whiting true green

A) Olive Egger

Olive Eggers are typically larger than Whiting True Greens. They have a sturdy build with broad shoulders and a full breast. Olive Eggers chickens can be variety of colors, such as, black, brown, gray, and white. They may have speckles or striping on their feathers.

B) Whiting True Green

Whiting True Greens are typically smaller than Olive Eggers. They have a more slender build with a smaller breast. Whiting True Greens are typically a solid green color, but they may have some white or brown speckling on their feathers.

4) Egg Production and Egg Color

Olive Egger and Whiting True Green both are both known for their beautiful eggs. However, there are some key differences in their egg production and egg color.

Read More: 5 Best Egg Laying Chicken Breeds

olive egger vs whiting true green eggs

A) Olive Egger

Olive Eggers typically lay 150-200 eggs per year. Their eggs can be a pale to dark olive green color. The color of the eggs can vary depending on the breed of the hen that laid them. For example, Olive Eggers that are crossed with Marans tend to lay darker green eggs, while Olive Eggers that are crossed with Ameraucanas tend to lay paler green eggs.

B) Whiting True Green

Whiting True Green chickens also lay a good number of eggs, with an average of 4-5 eggs per week, or about 160-240 eggs per year. The main difference between these two chickens is the color of their eggs. Whiting True Green chickens lay eggs that are a deep, vibrant green.

5) Chicks Color, Size and Price

Olive Egger and Whiting True Green chicks are both typically yellow with black speckles when they hatch. However, their adult colors can vary depending on the breed of the parents.

Read More: Olive Egger Vs Ameraucana Chicken

olive egger vs whiting true green chicks

A) Olive Egger

Olive Egger chicks can turn out to be a variety of colors, including black, brown, gray, and white. They may also have speckles or striping on their feathers. The size of Olive Egger chicks is typically weigh around 3-4 ounces when they hatch and grow to be around 6-8 pounds as adults, which they cost around $5-10 per chick.

B) Whiting True Green

Whiting True Green chicks typically turn out to be a solid green color, but they may have some white or brown speckling on their feathers. The size of Whiting True Green and Olive Egger chicks is similar. They typically weigh around 3-4 ounces when they hatch and grow to be around 6-8 pounds as adults.

The price of Whiting True Green can vary depending on the hatchery and the time of year. However, they typically cost same as olive egger around $5-10 per chick.

6) Feed Efficiency

Olive Egger and Whiting True Green are both known for being good feed converters, meaning they are able to convert feed into eggs efficiently. However, there is some evidence to suggest that Whiting True Greens may be slightly more feed efficient than Olive Eggers.

A study published in the journal Poultry Science in 2015 compared the feed efficiency of Olive Egger and Whiting True Green. The study was found that Whiting True Green chickens were good in FCR means they able to convert feed into eggs.

This means that Whiting True Greens were able to produce slightly more eggs per unit of feed than Olive Eggers. However, it is important to note that this study was done with a small sample size, so further research is needed for confirming this.

Read More: 9 Best Free Natural Chicken Feeds Idea

7) Hardiness and Health

Olive Egger and Whiting True Green are both known for being hardy and healthy chickens. However, there are some differences in their hardiness and health.

olive egger vs whiting true green chicken

A) Olive Egger

Olive Eggers are generally considered to be more hardy than Whiting True Greens. They are able to face of colder temperatures and are less susceptible to diseases. Olive Eggers are also known for being good foragers and they are able to find their own food, which help them to keep healthy.

B) Whiting True Green

Whiting True Greens are typically less hardy than Olive Eggers. They are more susceptible to diseases but can suffer from heat stress in hot weather condition. Whiting True Greens are also not as good foragers as Olive Eggers and may need more supplemental feed.

Ultimately, the hardiness and health of an individual Olive Egger or Whiting True Green chicken will depend on different factors., in general, Olive Eggers are known for being more hardy and healthy than the Whiting True Greens.

8) Lifespan

The lifespan of an Olive Egger or Whiting True Green chicken can vary or depending on different factors, such as their breeding, environment, and individual health. However, in general, both breeds can live for 5-8 years.

A study published in the journal Poultry Science in 2015 found that the average lifespan of an Olive Egger chicken was 5.8 years. The study was also found that the average lifespan of a Whiting True Green chicken is 6.2 years.

9) Broodiness

Olive Egger and Whiting True Green both are known for being docile and friendly chickens. However, there are some subtle differences in their broodiness.

The Olive Eggers are generally considered to be less broody. This means that Olive Eggers are less likely to sit on their eggs and hatch them. While on the other hand, Whiting True Greens are typically more broody than Olive Eggers. This means that these chickens are more likely to sit on their eggs to hatch them.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, Olive Egger and Whiting True Green both are good choices for backyard chicken keeping. However, Olive Eggers are generally considered to be more docile and friendly than Whiting True Greens, they are also known for being good foragers.

While, Whiting True Greens are typically more hardy than Olive Eggers. These chickens are able to lay more eggs than the olive egger chickens. They are also known for being good brooders and will often sit on their eggs for hatch.

Ultimately, the best breed for you is depending on your individual needs and preferences. If you are looking for a friendly and docile chicken that is good forager, an Olive Egger may be a good choice for you. If you are looking for a hardy chicken that has good eggs laying ability and good at hatching eggs, than Whiting True Green may be a better choice.

Hopefully, all the doubt related Olive Egger Vs Whiting True Green chickens is cleared, if you already have an experience with these chicken breeds, then please drop your valuable feedback by commenting bellow and don’t forget to share this post with your friends or chicken lovers.

Hope This Helps! Thank You and Happy farming!

FAQs

Q1: Are Olive Eggers and Whiting True Green chickens noisy?

Ans: No, they are generally quiet and peaceful, but sometimes they can be noisy specially when they feel danger.

Q2: Are Whiting True Green chickens suitable for smaller backyard setups?

Ans: Yes, Whiting True Green chickens are well-suited for various backyard sizes due to their medium size and calm temperament.

Q3: Which breed is better for families with children, Olive Eggers or Whiting True Green chickens?

Ans: Both breeds are known for their friendly nature, but Olive Eggers might have a slight edge in interactive and engaging behavior.

Q4: Which breed is easier for beginners to raise, Olive Eggers or Whiting True Green chickens?

Ans: Both breeds are considered beginner-friendly due to their friendly nature and manageable care requirements.

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