Is the Easter Egger or Olive Egger a better egg layer?

The Easter Egger lays about 200–280 eggs a year; the Olive Egger lays about 150–200. The Easter Egger is the stronger layer — about 200–280 eggs a year against the Olive Egger's 150–200.

Easter Egger vs Olive Egger — which is better for beginners?

Both the Easter Egger and the Olive Egger are beginner-friendly and forgiving of first-time mistakes.

Easter Egger photo: Mig (CC0) · Olive Egger photo: V. Ott (CC BY 4.0) · via Wikimedia Commons

Easter Egger vs Olive Egger

Two backyard favorites, side by side — egg production, temperament, size, and hardiness, straight from our breed data. Here's how to choose.

The quick verdict

The Easter Egger is the stronger layer — about 200–280 eggs a year against the Olive Egger's 150–200.

The Easter Egger lays blue, green, or olive eggs; the Olive Egger lays olive green.

Both egg layer birdsBoth cold-hardyBoth handle heat wellBoth beginner-friendlyBoth calm and easy to handle

Choose the Easter Egger if you want…

More eggs — up to 280 a year
Rarely quits laying to sit on eggs

Full Easter Egger profile →

Choose the Olive Egger if you want…

More likely to go broody and mother chicks

Full Olive Egger profile →

Side by side

Trait	Easter Egger	Olive Egger
Purpose	Egg layer	Egg layer
Eggs per year	✓200–280	150–200
Egg color	Blue, green, or olive	Olive green
Egg size	Large	Large
Hen weight	4–5.5 lbs	5–6.5 lbs
Temperament	Friendly and curious	Friendly, but varies with the parents
Cold hardy	Yes	Yes
Heat tolerant	Yes	Yes
Broodiness	Rarely broody	Sometimes broody
Beginner friendly	Yes	Yes

Egg counts are healthy-hen peaks; real numbers dip in winter, during molt, and as a hen ages. Size a coop for either bird with our coop size calculator.

More head-to-heads

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Or browse every comparison · see all 51 breeds

Easter Egger or Olive Egger — track whichever you pick

Give every bird a profile in PoultryPal, log their eggs and weight, and let the app show you which hen is really your best layer. Free on iOS and Android.