Our Big List of Solid White Chicken Breeds | Leghorns, Sultans, and More!
Welcome! This article contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you.
Welcome to the Outdoor Happens list of all-white chicken breeds! You know, hundreds of different chicken breeds exist, and every one of them has unique behavioral, physical, and physiological attributes.
One of the most noticeable features to detect about any chicken is the color of its plumage. Did you know that there are countless black, brown, chestnut, orange, red, silver, violet, and white color varieties in chickens? It’s true. Plus, many chicken breeds are multi-colored. And they’re all lovely (and delicious).
However, here, today, we shall discuss chickens with white feathers. We’ll look at the reasons that ranchers love these breeds, what they use them for (eggs, meat, pets, showing), what you can expect to pay for them, and other fascinating information that can help you to make the best decision about which type of all-white bird is best for your homestead.
So, let’s stop clucking around here and get down to business!
List of Top All-White Chicken Breeds for Homesteaders
In case you don’t know, there’s a lot of variance between breeds of chickens, even between different all-white chickens breeds. Some are larger than others. Some have better temperaments than others. Some are known to lay more eggs per week than others. And some have higher-quality meat.
Plus, some have feathers on their legs (which I think is pretty cool), and others do not. And still, others have flowing tail feathers, while others have extra toes. And there’s even one type, described below, with a super-cool tuff of head hair that’s straight Rock-n-Roll!
Knowing all that, let’s get into why we’re here: learning about different white chicken breeds that can add value, food, natural pest control, and ornamental entertainment to your homestead.
Here we go!
1. Bresse Gauloise Chickens
| Description: | French domestic chicken with some of the best-tasting marbled chicken meat. |
| Uses: | Meat and eggs |
| Eggs Per Year: | 200 |
| Egg Color: | White |
| Rooster Weight: | 5.5 to 6.5 pounds |
| Hen Weight: | 4.5 to 5.5 pounds |
Leading the Chicken Revolution from Bresse, France, the Bresse Gauloise chicken wears the colors of its country’s flag – with all-white plumage, a bright red comb, and sexy blue legs and feet! Ooh, La La!
(Side note: there are also black, blue, and grey Bresse Gauloises, but we’re talking about all-white birds here.)
Known in some localities as The Poultry of Kings and The Queen of Poultry, this high-priced chicken breed produces some of the highest quality meat in the world. As arguably the planet’s best table chicken, the Bresse Gauloise has little real competition and costs $200 or more per bird.
The Bresse Gauloise breed has been around for more than 400 years – while maintaining its excellent reputation for taste and overall quality. As chicks, they grow relatively fast compared with most other breeds. They’re proud birds. And they carry themselves with the strength and confidence of a seasoned French soldat.
If you’re considering raising some of these sophisticated birds on your homestead or backyard farm, ensure they have room to roam. They’re free-range foraging birds and reliable layers that cannot stand to be confined.
Of course, you don’t have to eat them. They’re relatively docile, calm birds. And they’re fun to look at. Plus, they don’t make much noise, which is perfect for a homesteader like me, who enjoys more peacefulness and solitude.
It’s a prolific egg layer breed, as well. On average, healthy Bresse Gauloise hens lay between 200 and 250 large white eggs yearly. Their eggs typically weigh about two ounces (60 g) each.
Males typically weigh between five and a half and six and a half pounds, while females weigh four and a half to five and a half pounds on average. Be aware that they have thin skin and a lot of fat, and while this makes their meat very delicious, it also makes them subject to easy bruising, so handle your backyard flock gently!
2. California White Chickens
| Description: | Efficient egg-laying hybrid from California Gray roosters and White Leghorn hens. |
| Uses: | Eggs and sometimes meat |
| Eggs Per Year: | 300 |
| Egg Color: | White |
| Rooster Weight: | 6 pounds |
| Hen Weight: | 5 Pounds |
Always sporting an upright stance, the California White breed of chickens resulted from hybridizing a White Leghorn hen with a California Gray rooster. The intended purpose was for egg production, but it turns out that this is a dual-purpose breed, very good for both egg and meat production. Overall, these beautiful birds represent heartiness with a gentle demeanor, making them an excellent choice for homesteaders who like keeping things quiet and calm.
Right away, you’ll notice the erect, strong posture of the California White chicken. They are born as chicks with yellow feathers and black polka dots. Then their plumage turns whiter and whiter as they mature. They grow fast relative to other chicken breeds, with roosters topping out at about six pounds and hens growing to about five pounds. Perhaps it’s the perfect chicken? (Perfect size of bird for my dinner table, at least!)
Prolific layers, California Whites are friendly, medium-sized birds that deliver on their intended purpose of hybridization by laying as many as 300 large white eggs yearly with some extra large eggs periodically. Plus, their egg-laying activities do not typically slow during adverse weather conditions. You can count on these backyard chickens for consistent production year-round. And the fact that they are entertaining, docile, and simple to care for makes it even better!
3. Rhode Island White Chickens
| Description: | Dual-purpose breed from Rhode Island. Not to be confused with the Rhode Island Red. |
| Uses: | Eggs and meat |
| Eggs Per Year: | 235 |
| Egg Color: | Brown |
| Rooster Weight: | 8.5 pounds |
| Hen Weight: | 6.5 pounds |
Solid white and extra fluffy, Rhode Island White chickens are famous for use in both meat and egg production. J. Alonzo Jacoy developed this excellent breed in the late 1800s when he lived in Peacedale, Rhode Island, hence, the meaning of the name.
Rhode Island Whites are bred by crossing Partridge Cochins and Rose Comb White Leghorns with White Wyandottes. They’re extra sharp-looking, with their single combs and waddles, bright yellow feet, red-colored eyes, and fluffy, white plumage. Some people compare these active birds to walking or flying clouds!
These dual-purpose chickens are beneficial additions to any homestead flock, with healthy hens laying about 245 large brown eggs yearly – all without slowing down in cold climates. They’re also friendly, laid-back birds that try to avoid flock discrepancies. However, when needed, they are powerful and capable of asserting themselves. So don’t let their friendly personalities fool you!
Rhode Island Whites are medium-sized chickens, with roosters topping out at about eight and a half pounds and hens at about six and a half. You can expect to pay up to six bucks per chick.
Read More
- 15 Largest Chicken Breeds In the World [and the Biggest Eggs!
- 17 Black and White Chicken Breeds – Our Chanel Poultry List!
- 25 Fluffy Chicken Breeds for Your Flock [Cuddly and Poofy Feathers!]
- How to Keep Chickens and Outdoor Animals Cool In Summer Without Electricity [10 Ways!]
4. Sultan Chickens
| Description: | A rare yet beautiful breed famous for excellent feathers and ornamental value. |
| Uses: | Ornamental, pet |
| Eggs Per Year: | 65 |
| Egg Color: | White |
| Rooster Weight: | 6 pounds |
| Hen Weight: | 4 pounds |
The Sultan breed of chickens originated in southeastern Europe in the 14th century, so the name fits, and so does their uniquely Turkish appearance. They have mighty beards, muffs, crests, and V-shaped combs that add to their flare. They also have feathered toes and shanks (which I would want were I a chicken) and hocks like vultures. Today, they are kept mainly for show purposes.
They aren’t top-rated among egg producers. So, if you’re searching for a popular breed of solid white chicken that lays many eggs, the Sultan isn’t it. These ornamental birds only lay about 65 small white eggs annually. They’re also on the small side themselves. The roosters weigh only about six pounds. And hens about four. They’re calm and tolerate heat well. But they’re somewhat expensive – you can find them for about $20 per chick.
However, if stunning plumage is what you’re after, Sultans are one of the oldest American breeds of snowbirds. They’re primarily used for ornamental purposes, considered rare, and have a critical listing on the Livestock Conservancy’s Conservation list.
5. White Jersey Giant Chickens
| Description: | Massive and friendly American chicken breed perfect for meat and egg-laying. |
| Uses: | Primarily meat, but also eggs |
| Eggs Per Year: | Up to 200 |
| Egg Color: | Light brown or cream |
| Rooster Weight: | Up to 15 pounds |
| Hen Weight: | Around 10 pounds |
Thomas and John Black developed the Jersey Giant chicken breed between 1870 and 1890. They aimed to create a hardy breed that could compete with or replace the turkey as a superior table bird. The result was an extra-large, hardy chicken breed that loves to forage and does well against cold weather and natural predators.
However, this breed does not tolerate heat very well. So be aware of your climate if you’re a homesteader searching for a chicken breed that will accentuate your existing flock. White Jersey Giants are also docile, friendly, and calm, and many like to cuddle with their human caretakers, making them a good breed choice for homesteaders with small children.
If you’re considering raising some Jersey Giants, remember that they are one of the heftiest chicken breeds, meaning they’ll require larger housing and nesting boxes, more spacious roosting bars, and other size-appropriate necessities. Also, position their roosting bars low so these gentle giants don’t injure themselves by jumping down.
6. White Leghorn Chickens
| Description: | Flighty and active birds that love foraging. Prolific and legendary layers. |
| Uses: | Eggs |
| Eggs Per Year: | Up to 325 |
| Egg Color: | White |
| Rooster Weight: | 6 pounds |
| Hen Weight: | 4.5 pounds |
When in proper environments, White Leghorns are excellent layers, highly fertile, naturally strong and disease-resistant, and easy to provide and care for. Chicks feather fast. And this breed does well in nearly all terrain types. These hardy birds are excellent foragers, and they don’t tend to need a lot of food. Plus, they do well in colder climates.
Like lots of eggs? Me too! White Leghorn chickens are a smaller breed. But they are mainly for massive white egg production. Roosters top out at about six pounds, and hens about four and a half, so they’re not the first choice for meat production. Leghorns can fly if they care to, and they’re an active breed that enjoys scratching, pecking, and hunting. They make superb natural pest control agents!
Although they can tolerate confinement, like any other creature, they enjoy life more when they have room to move, forage, and exercise in the sunshine, rain, and good or bad weather. There’s not a sane chicken alive that would choose isolation and imprisonment!
Leghorns make excellent additions to mixed-breed flocks but seemingly do best when kept with other high-spirited birds. They may harass, peck at, and generally dominate docile breeds, making their lives miserable. Also, most Leghorns aren’t well-suited for cuddling and hanging out with children. They’re also relatively noisy and don’t fit well with close neighbors. Expect to pay up to five bucks per chick.
7. White Plymouth Rock Chickens
| Description: | Easy-to-raise American chicken that lays many delicious eggs. |
| Uses: | Eggs and meat |
| Eggs Per Year: | Up to 250 |
| Egg Color: | Brown |
| Rooster Weight: | 9.5 pounds |
| Hen Weight: | 7.5 pounds |
The White Plymouth Rock (White Rock) breed of chickens is popular in the United States for eggs, meat, and companionship. They have red combs, waddles, earlobes, and faces, with reddish eyes and butter-colored beaks. Their skin and legs are yellow, and they have four-toed feet. They don’t fly. And although they are quiet, they do tend to make small, subtle chattering noises.
Plymouth Rock roosters grow to about nine and a half pounds, with the ladies topping out at about seven and a half. Healthy hens have an excellent laying rate of about 200 large brown eggs annually. There are strong layers during their first few years, but they then experience a slow decline in egg-laying throughout their tenth year of life or so. The entire breed is docile and calm. And hens are typically excellent sitters and mothers.
Both males and females are easy to care for and make excellent additions to most flocks. They are sweet birds, and the chicks feather quickly, reaching maturity within 12 weeks. Their calm temperament makes Plymouth Rocks friendly family birds, and they are usually good with children. They like to follow their humans around, make excellent pets, and are superb for 4-H projects. You can buy one for about five bucks.
8. Yokohama Chickens
| Description: | Small chicken breed with a markedly long tail. It’s a lovely show bird. |
| Uses: | Ornamental |
| Eggs Per Year: | 60 |
| Egg Color: | Cream |
| Rooster Weight: | Less than 5 pounds |
| Hen Weight: | Less than 4 pounds |
Hai-Yah! Yokohama chickens originated in Japan a long time ago. And are known to be Karate Masters! Just kidding, but they are nifty in other ways. Most noticeably, their tail feathers grow super-long, commonly between three and four feet, but much longer in some cases. One Yokohama chicken in Japan grew tail feathers 27 feet long. Such beautiful plumage!
This chicken breed does not get raised for meat or eggs. It’s a small ornamental breed typically used for shows or pets. Males don’t commonly weigh even five pounds. And females can weigh less than four pounds. Yokohamas are docile, have friendly temperaments, and make good pets, but these active foragers also need room to roam to keep them the happiest and healthiest.
The Farm Animal Raising Bible by Thomas Carter is an excellent reference for homesteaders raising chickens, sheep, goats, pigs, honeybees, or ducks. Thomas Carter has over three decades of farming experience - and wants to share his best-kept animal-raising secrets with you. The book contains tips for breed selection, housing, feeding, and other ideas to help keep your animals happy and healthy.
Other All-White Breeds of Chickens for Homesteaders
There are loads of other all-white breeds of chicken birds to consider accentuating your current flock with or beginning an entirely new chicken flock on your homestead, including:
- Aseel Chickens
- Hamburg Chickens
- White Frizzle Chickens
- White Araucana Chickens
- White Orpington Chickens
- White Australorp Chickens
- White Ameraucana Chickens
- Australian Langshan Chickens
So, whether you are considering raising chickens for eggs, meat, companionship, or simply showing them off, it’s vital to research the breeds you are considering to discern your ideal choice. Consider factors like how much they eat, how much space they need, noise level, and if they are naturally immune to developing disease or other health conditions.
If you plan on keeping roosters, learn which popular choice of breeds you’re considering can get along with without continuous fighting. Nobody wants a disrupted flock or routine bloody rooster battles! Regardless of the chicken breed you eventually choose to go with, remember that all chickens are good chickens, and be sure to give them the love, care, and protection they need to thrive!
Conclusion
Thanks for reading our all-white chicken breed list. Any of these chickens would make excellent pets, and many also serve as yummy meat birds or egg-laying hens for your homestead.
But which one is your favorite? We can never decide!
We thank you for reading – regardless of which chickens you choose.
Thanks again.
And have a beautiful day!
