Ever wondered what mystery breeds come together to create the egg-laying powerhouse known as the Green Queen chicken? These fascinating hybrid birds have captured the hearts of backyard chicken keepers since their introduction in 2020, but their exact genetic makeup remains somewhat of a puzzle.
Green Queen chickens are hybrid birds created from multiple breeds, likely including Araucanas or Ameraucanas for the blue egg gene and possibly Salmon Faverolles, though Meyer Hatchery keeps the specific parent breeds as a trade secret.
This careful breeding program was designed to produce a new variety of Easter Egger that could lay beautiful green-colored eggs while maintaining excellent production rates of up to 310 eggs per year.
Understanding the breeds behind your Green Queen can help you better predict their characteristics, from their varied appearances to their friendly temperaments.
You’ll discover why no two Green Queens look exactly alike and learn how their diverse genetic background contributes to their hardiness and exceptional egg-laying abilities.
Origins of Green Queen Chicken
The Green Queen chicken is a brand new hybrid breed. Meyer Hatchery created this breed and first offered it to customers in 2020.
You can think of Green Queens as an improved version of Easter Eggers. Meyer Hatchery wanted to meet growing demand for chickens that lay colorful eggs.
The company keeps its breeding formula secret. They don’t tell customers which exact breeds they used to create Green Queens.
What we do know:
- One parent must carry the blue egg gene (like Araucanas or Ameraucanas)
- Many Green Queens have five toes instead of four
- This suggests Faverolles chickens were likely used
- Some birds show feathered feet traits
The blue egg gene is essential. When mixed with brown egg genetics, it creates the green color you want.
Meyer Hatchery added a bantam version in 2022. These mini Green Queens weigh much less than standard birds.
Since Green Queens are hybrids, no two birds look exactly alike. You might get one that looks like a Faverolles. Another might look more like an Ameraucana.
This mystery makes Green Queens exciting for backyard chicken keepers. You never know what colors or patterns your chicks will have until they grow up.
The breed focuses purely on egg production. These birds were designed to lay lots of green eggs with friendly personalities.
What Breeds Make Green Queen Chicken?
The exact breeds used to create Green Queen chickens remain a mystery. Meyer Hatchery developed this hybrid in 2020 but has not revealed which parent breeds they used in their breeding program.
You can make educated guesses based on the traits Green Queens display. Since they lay green eggs, one parent must carry the blue egg gene. This points to breeds like:
- Araucanas
- Ameraucanas
- Other blue egg layers
Many Green Queens have five toes instead of four. This trait suggests Faverolles chickens played a role in their development. Some Green Queens also show feathered feet and legs, which supports this theory.
Common parent breeds likely include:
| Probable Parent | Contributing Trait |
|---|---|
| Araucana/Ameraucana | Blue egg gene for green eggs |
| Faverolles | Five toes, feathered feet |
| Easter Egger lines | Muffs, beards, hardiness |
The wide variety in Green Queen appearance proves multiple breeds were used. Some look like Faverolles while others resemble Ameraucanas or standard Easter Eggers.
Red earlobes appear on all Green Queens, suggesting breeds with this trait were included. The muffs and beards that define the breed point to Easter Egger genetics.
Since Green Queens don’t breed true, each generation shows different combinations of parent traits. This makes it impossible to pinpoint exact breeds without inside information from Meyer Hatchery.
Characteristics of Green Queen Chicken
Green Queen chickens are hybrid birds with no standard appearance. Each bird looks different because they come from mixing several breeds.
Physical Traits
All Green Queens share a few common features. They are medium-sized birds weighing 4 to 4.5 pounds. You’ll notice their distinctive muffs and beards around their faces.
Every Green Queen has red earlobes. This is one trait that stays the same across all birds.
Variable Features
Many other traits change from bird to bird. Some have five toes while others have four. Their feet may be feathered or bare.
| Feature | Variation |
|---|---|
| Toes | 4 or 5 toes |
| Feet | Feathered or bare |
| Comb type | Varies by bird |
| Color | White to almost black |
| Skin color | Different shades |
Appearance Range
Your Green Queen might look like many different breeds. Some resemble Araucanas or Ameraucanas. Others look like Faverolles or standard Easter Eggers.
Colors range widely from white and light brown to dark brown and nearly black. Feather patterns also vary greatly between birds.
Size Options
You can choose between standard and bantam sizes. Standard hens weigh around 4 pounds. Bantam versions are much smaller at about 30 ounces for hens.
The unpredictable appearance makes each Green Queen unique. This variety appeals to many chicken keepers who enjoy surprises.
