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Black And White Chickens

There are many black and white chicken breeds out there, this list will help you to pick the best one!

Whether you're looking to add some variety to your flock, feel like you're missing pizzazz, or want to build a monotone or goth flock, there's the perfect black and white chicken breed in this list for you!

Not only are they visually stunning, but they also come in a range of sizes and temperaments. Whether you want a large and friendly bird like the Columbian Wyandotte or a petite and spritely one like the White Crested Black Polish, there's a black and white breed out there that's perfect for you.

There are many options available, each with its own unique characteristics and qualities. From ornamental breeds with a striking appearance or one that produces tons of delicious farm fresh eggs, there's sure to be one that tickles your fancy.

Take some time to research each breed and its qualities and don't forget to consider the characteristics of your existing flock to ensure a smooth transition.

White crested black polish rooster and hens.

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Black Laced Silver Wyandotte

If you are looking for a stunning chicken breed that is both good for egg production and meat, then the Black Laced Silver Wyandotte might be the perfect choice for you! These birds are characterized by their bright white feathers, with a thick black trim on the edges, resulting in a striking black and white feather pattern.

Not only do they look gorgeous, but they are also great egg layers, producing up to 200 large light brown eggs per year, beginning around 18 weeks old. In addition to their good egg-laying abilities, they are docile and friendly within the flock, making them easy to handle and care for.

Developed in the northeastern United States, they are known to be excellent dual-purpose birds, prized for their egg production and meat quality. Black Laced Silver Wyandottes are good foragers, making them a great addition to any homestead or backyard flock.

Black laced silver polish hen.

Columbian Wyandotte

The Columbian Wyandotte packs a punch in both the egg-laying and meat-producing departments. This excellent dual-purpose breed offers not only lots of meat due to their robust frames but also lays up to 250 brown eggs annually - even through the cold months!

These delightful birds are a cross between a white Wyandotte and a Barred Rock and are easily distinguished by their bright white bodies featuring white over black lacing on their necks, wings, and tails.

They have a temperament similar to all other Wyandotte breeds, docile and friendly within the flock, making them easy to handle and care for.

Silver Laced Polish

If you're looking for a stylish addition to your backyard flock, the Silver Laced Polish chicken is a great choice.

These chickens are primarily ornamental, so they'll definitely add some flair to your coop. While they do lay eggs, they're not the most prolific layers, usually under 150 small white eggs per year, so keep that in mind if you're hoping for a steady supply.

What really sets the Silver Laced Polish apart is its feather pattern, which is similar to Black Laced Silver Wyandottes - though they are easily distinguished by their smaller stature and by the large crest of feathers on their heads, which adds to their already-impressive appearance.

In terms of temperament, the Silver Laced Polish can be friendly, but that can vary depending on the breeding line. Generally, I've found that our Polish are a bit cautious around humans and may startle easily, so keep that in mind if you've got young kids around.

Silver laced polish hen.

White Crested Black Polish

If you're on the hunt for a chicken that's pure eye candy, look no further than the black crested white polish.

True to its name, this breed boasts a striking black plumage that contrasts beautifully with its lacy white crown. And while you won't be getting a ton of eggs from these feathered beauties (around 150 per year, at best), that's not really the point.

The Polish chicken breed is all about the ornamental appeal, and the black-crested white variety doesn't disappoint.

Their friendly demeanor makes them delightful to keep as pets, but be aware that their large crests can sometimes obstruct their vision, causing them to startle easily. Just something to keep in mind while you're admiring their awesome '80s hair metal-inspired headgear!

White crested black polish rooster.

Light Sussex

Did you know that the Light Sussex chicken is one of the oldest chicken breeds in Europe?

Developed in England in the early 1900s, these birds have a unique appearance with their white bodies, black necklaces, and black tail feathers. While they may look similar to the Columbian Wyandotte, they are not related.

Light Sussex hens lay about 250 light brown eggs yearly, making them productive layers, but their large size makes them quality meat birds, so they are firmly in dual-purpose camp.

They are known for their calm and curious personalities and foraging capabilities.

Light sussex hen.

Silver Spangled Hamburg

Add a touch of Dalmatian charm to your backyard flock!

The petite Silver Spangled Hamburg are lovely birds and are incredibly popular thanks to their striking black and white patterning. It's as if they've been delicately painted with a black brush, resulting in a delightful polka-dot appearance.

While they may be small in size, they're big on productivity. These birds can lay up to 250 white eggs per year, making them a great choice for those looking to keep a steady egg supply.

And don't let their alert and flighty nature fool you - they're fantastic foragers and predator-aware, making them a great addition to any flock.

Spangled hamburg rooster.

Russian Orloff

Have you heard of the Russian Orloff? You may have heard of them referred to as a Silver Spangled Orloff.

This unique breed of chicken has spangled white and black feathers that really make them stand out in a crowd. Hens have mostly white tails that fan out beautifully. These birds look quite similar to Silver Spangled Hamburgs.

They are incredibly resilient and can withstand very cold temperatures, making them a great choice for those living in colder climates.

Russian Orloffs are also very smart and curious, making them a fun addition to any backyard flock.

While they lay fewer than 100 eggs per year, they are excellent meat birds and can weigh up to 7 pounds!

Though they can be hard to find due to their rarity, these birds are definitely worth adding to your flock if you have the opportunity.

Mottled Houdan

These beautiful birds have striking black feathers with V-shaped white spots that can sometimes be mistaken for the Polish breed, however, they are larger, with hens typically reaching 6.5 lbs.

Mottled Houdans have many features that set them apart from other crested breeds, including V-shaped combs, beards, and fifth toes!

Although not very cold tolerant, these birds can handle the heat quite well.

This breed is primarily known for its egg-laying capabilities, rather than meat quantity, producing approximately 200 large white eggs each year.

While they may not be a top choice for meat production, they more than make up for it in their friendly and docile nature. In fact, these birds love being held and cuddled! If you're looking for a beautiful and friendly chicken that also provides a high yield of eggs, the Mottled Houdan might be the perfect addition to your flock.

Mottled Ancona

The Mottled Ancona is a stunning bird with black feathers adorned with white V-shaped dots.

They're a hardy breed that can withstand both cold and heat, making them great for almost any climate. Although their comb does require protection during the colder months, they are excellent free-range foragers.

The darker color of their feathers also serves as protection against birds of prey.

They are often compared to other Mediterranean birds like the Leghorn for their egg production, laying up to an impressive 300 white eggs yearly!

Mottled Anconas, like the Leghorn, can be flighty and nervous, so it's crucial to handle them with care. If you're looking for a beautiful, hardy chicken that's a good forager and an excellent egg layer, the Mottled Ancona might be the perfect breed for you!

Splash Isbar

The Splash Isbar (pronounced ice-bar), also known as Silverudd's blue, is one of the few that lays beautiful green eggs without any crossbreeding. And unlike some other breeds who lay green eggs, the Splash Isbar is genetically a true breed, not a hybrid.

Splash Isbars are predominantly white with black feathers mixed in, which confuses some people because they are not barred at all - the "bar" in their name likely comes from their Legbar ancestry.

These birds are not only friendly and docile, but they're also social with people and ours absolutely love to run for treats. They make great flock mates.

And let's not forget about their eggs! They lay large, beautiful green eggs that sometimes even have a speckled overlay. And at an impressive clip too - laying heavily in the summer, but also consistently through the cold weather months too.

Isbars are also cold hardy and ours have never shown any issues in our brutally cold winters!

Swedish isbar hen in splash coloring.

Dominique Chicken

The Dominique Chicken is another wonderful black-and-white option. These birds look very similar to Barred Rock and Cuckoo Marans, but their barring is V-shaped as opposed to straight. With the contrasting white and black barred feathers and bright red rose comb and wattles, it's hard not to be charmed by their unique appearance.

But beyond their good looks, Dominique chickens are also known for their calm and mellow demeanor towards their fellow flock mates, making them a great addition to any chicken community. In addition to being good-natured, these birds are also curious and love to forage, making them an entertaining and active part of any backyard farm setting.

These chickens demonstrate excellent hardiness to cold and harsh weather making them ideal for cool climate flocks, and their ability to lay up to 260 eggs annually means that they are excellent egg layers.

And let's not forget their dual purpose - with their 5-7 lb frames, Dominique chickens deliver quality meat that is sure to please any palate.

Dominique chicken.

Cuckoo Marans

If you're in search of a white and black chicken breed that can provide both eggs and meat, then look no further than the Cuckoo Marans!

These easygoing birds have striking black and white barred feathers that resemble the Plymouth Rock, making them a handsome addition to any farm or backyard.

Although they prefer to spend their time with other chickens rather than interacting with humans, their calm and friendly nature ensures they won't cause any trouble.

And, at a weight of 7-9 pounds, they're certainly substantial enough for a hearty meal.

These feathered friends can lay up to 200 eggs annually, chocolate brown in color, which are just as delicious as they sound.

Cuckoo marans rooster.

Barred Plymouth Rock

The Barred Plymouth Rock is a large, sturdy bird that sports the classic black and white barred feather pattern. It has strong yellow legs and a deep red single comb atop its head, making it an attractive addition to any flock.

This classic American heritage breed has a lovely calm and friendly temperament. Plymouth Rock chickens are easy to add to small or large flocks alike, but what really makes them stand out is their foraging abilities, making them excellent free-range birds.

Barred Plymouth Rocks also produce in the egg department laying around 220 peach-light brown eggs annually.

Barred rock hen.
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Thoughts From The Chicken Coop

Which black and white chicken is right for you and your flock really depends on your unique needs and environment. I encourage you to take the time to investigate each breed and think about their individual needs, and behaviors before making a decision.

There are a few things to consider when selecting the perfect chicken for your homestead: egg production, hardiness in cold climates, size, space requirements, broodiness (how well they sit on eggs), and temperament (how friendly they are with people and other birds).

Pin This Guide To Black And White Chicken Breeds!

Silver laced polish hen with text overlay: 12 best black and white chickens.

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