30 Beautiful Black and White Chicken Breeds with Pictures 

With hundreds of chicken breeds recognized worldwide, this post explores some of the most common and distinct black and white chicken breed varieties.

What are the Four Purposes of Chicken?

Ever since the domestication of chickens began centuries ago, certain breeds of chicken have been developed for specific purposes. In general, there are four purposes of the modern day chicken:

1. Meat Production
2. Egg Production
3. Dual-Purpose
4. Ornamental

Meat-producing birds are breeds of chicken that have evolved to grow in size quickly with a very efficient feet to meat conversion. They are typically larger and heftier in size.

Egg-producing chickens are known for their egg-producing ability. They will typically begin laying eggs a few weeks earlier than the average bird and lay eggs more frequently.

Dual-purpose breeds of chicken is the most common purpose for the common backyard flock. It is not uncommon for a chicken to meet this definition. They are not often excellent at either egg or meat producing but are sufficient to meet the needs of a backyard chicken keeper.

Ornamental Chickens are those that are not often considered good egg or meat producers, but have gained popularity for their looks alone. Ornamental chickens are grown typically for show or for pets simply for the purpose of bringing their owner joy.

Common Black and White Chicken Plumage Patterns:

Black and white chickens come in a variety of plumage patterns. Some of the more common patterns include:

• Single Laced – white feathers tipped with a single black outline
• Double Laced – similar to the single laced, but with an additional line towards the center
• Barred pattern – crisp, black and white barring/stripes width-wise
• Spotted – feathers with a white base and a black spot on the edge
• Penciled – white feathers with thin penciled black lines toward the center
• Mottled – black feather with white in a V-shape at the tip (inverse of spangled)
• Spangled – white feather with black in a V-shape at the tip (inverse of mottled)

Silver Double Laced Barnevelder

The Silver Double Laced Barnevelder is not only stunning but genuinely the sweetest chicken too. Their plumage is uniquely decorated with double lacing, displaying a white feather with black outlining the edge of the feather and a second row of black towards the center of the feather.

This Barnevelder breed is a good layer, laying light brown to tinted pink eggs. On average, they lay around 200 eggs per year. Originating from Holland, it is a winter-hardy breed of medium build. While they are not the highest egg producing chicken, they will lay year-round, even into the winter months.

Silver Spangled Hamburg

Although this bird comes in a small size, their appearance packs a punch. This Silver spangled Hamburg chicken are both ornamental and excellent white egg producers. Their feathers are spangled, white feathers with black at the tip. Hamburg chickens are small but not quite a bantam. Male hamburgs have more white on their neck and tail feathers than their female counterpart.

In terms of hardiness, they do okay in cold weather and even in wet climates. The silver spangled hamburgs are one of the most alert breeds, excelling as a forager in a free range climate.

Silver spangled Hamburg’s are great layers, laying somewhere between 200 and 250 white eggs every year. You can expect to collect 4-5 eggs from this breed every week.

Barred Plymouth Rock

The Plymouth Barred Rock chicken was first observed in America in the mid-1800s. After disappearing for 20 years, they reemerged with the help of a breeder in Massachusetts. Early on, these birds were confused with the Dominique breed. A standard was later set by the New York Poultry Society, establishing the barred breed with the rose comb as the Dominique and the barred breed with the single comb the Barred Plymouth Rock.

The amount of barring can vary between males and females. Males have more of an equal distribution of black and white barring whereas the females have heavier amounts of black than white.

These beautiful and quirky birds are dual-purpose, cold hardy, and friendly nature making them a popular breed for backyard flock additions. They lay large eggs throughout the year with a decrease in production during the winter months. Their egg color can vary from light to medium brown with a touch of pink.

Columbian Rock

The Columbian Rock chicken is a member of the Plymouth Rock family that was recognized as a distinct breed in 1910 by the American Standard of Perfection. This breed has white feathers with black penciling on the hackle and saddle feathers and solid black tail feathers.

The Columbian Rock is a dual purpose breed of show quality. They lay a large, brown egg. On average, they lay 200-250 eggs annually. You can expect 4-5 eggs a week from this breed. They are a sweet-mannered, docile bird. They are an ideas backyard chicken.

Dominique Chicken

Known as America’s oldest chicken breed, the Dominique chicken was brought to the United States by early settlers in the 1750’s. It is said that because early settlers had this chicken, it was the reason they survived the initial harsh years of colonization, earning it the name “The Pilgrim fowl”. They have a rose comb which distinguishes them from the other barred breeds.

The Dominique is a dual purpose breed that lays a medium-sized, light brown egg. They lay approximately 230-270 eggs annually.

While they are known to be docile and calm, the Dominique can become aggressive and protective if they feel threatened though this is rarely directed at humans. They maintain a calm temperament with humans making them a great family farm breed.

Lakenvelder

The Lakenvelder is an egg producing breed that was developed in Holland and Germany around the 1860’s. This breed is said to be a direct ancestor to some of the earliest domesticated chickens. Once a flourishing breed, now considered a threatened breed making them a rare bird to come by.

Lakenvelder chickens are a very active bird that requires room to roam and forage. They are a high-alert chicken and considered flighty, making them relatively predator resistant in a free-ranging setting. This chicken breed is not an ideal breed for beginning chicken owners due to their demeanor. Evolutionarily, they have developed to be quite aggressive and independent

Lakenvelder hens lay, on average, 150-200 medium-sized eggs that can be either white or tinted. Their black and white plumage is distinct. They have a smaller frame with white body feathers and complete black feathers on the neck, wings, and tail.

Black Laced Silver Wyandotte

The black laced silver wyandotte is extremely friendly and one of the most beautiful chickens around, making them a great addition to your backyard coop. Their distinct feathering is made up of silver and white feathers with a black delicately lacing the edges. They adapt well to colder climates and enjoy free-ranging. They are a dual-purpose birds with good egg production, producing 200 medium to large brown eggs annually.

Columbian Wyandotte

The columbian wyandotte is another black and white variety of the wyandotte family. This breed is similar in plumage to the light sussex and light brahma. They have white feathers and primarily a white body. The black comes in a lacing pattern on the neck and tail. They differ from the light sussex in their comb shape. Columbian Wyandottes have a rose comb.

True to the wyandotte family, this heritage breed is a dual-purpose breed. They lay medium-sized eggs that are usually light brown but color can vary, even producing darker tones. On average, a healthy columbian wyandotte will lay around 200-250 eggs per year. The columbian wyandotte is another great choice for your backyard flock as they are docile in temperament, good foragers, and a cold hardy breed.

Silver Penciled Wyandotte

The Silver Penciled Wyandotte was the first of the Wyandotte breed and, yet it is the rarest. Their beautiful plumage has three or more black penciled lines following the shape of each feather. Silver Penciled Wyandottes are cold hardy and their small rose comb makes them more resistant to frostbite. An energetic breed that is friendly and talkative but not very cuddly. They are more assertive and dominant within a diverse flock and are often at the top of the pecking order.

They are a large-frame bird, making them a great dual-purpose breed, bred for meat and egg production. Silver Penciled Wyandottes’ are good egg layers that lay light to dark brown eggs. On average, they lay 200 eggs per year, which is about 4 eggs per week.

Silver Laced English Orpington

Silver Laced English Orpington is an English Orpington color variety with white feathers and black lacing. They are a truly stunning and unique.

The Silver Laced English Orpington is a fair egg layer, laying 180 large brown eggs per year. This hardy bird is a dual purpose meat and egg producing breed. They are extremely friendly and calm, making them excellent backyard pets for beginners and children.

Cuckoo Marans

The Cuckoo Marans were developed in Marans, France which is where they acquired their name. They are a calm, easy-to-train breed. As a more athletic bird, they prefer to forage in a free-range setting as opposed to being confined. With access to roam, this breed makes a great addition to the typical backyard flock and a wonderful variety to your flocks egg colors.

Cuckoo Marans are a dual purpose breed. They are most popular for their large, rich dark brown eggs. They are good layers, laying about 150-200 eggs per year (3-4 eggs per week). Both the males and females mature quickly to a medium-size, making them a good option for meat production.

Cuckoo Marans are an auto-sexing breed. From day 1, you can tell the males apart from the females just from their appearance. Both sexes have a light spot on their head, males have a larger spot and the females have a smaller, more defined dot.

Light Sussex Chicken

Originating from Sussex, England, the light sussex was recognized as a standard breed in the early 1900s but is now classified a heritage dual purpose breed. It was originally designed to be a dual-purpose breed and still can be raised as one. However, they grow a little slower than other optimal meat birds.

Another large breed of chicken, it is distinguishable from the Light Brahma in that they lack feathering on their legs and feet. The Light Sussex is a white feathered bird with black hackling and tail feathers. They are extremely gentle and are often found at the bottom of the pecking order. They are friendly, calm, and curious. Another fun option for a beginner chicken keeper.

Light Sussex chickens lay large that can vary in tone from light brown to a cream color. They tend to lay pretty consistently year-round even through winter. Egg production levels can vary within the sussex breed, however, the light and white variety tend to be better layers. The Light Sussex Chicken lays around 280 eggs per year, which is roughly 5 eggs per week.

Egyptian Fayoumi

Egyptian Fayoumi is a breed of chicken originating centuries ago along the Nile River in Egypt. While common in Egypt, they are lesser known in the United States. They are a small-framed bird that grows and matures quicker than the average chicken. While most hens begin to lay their first eggs around 6 months of age, the Egyptian Fayoumi begins around 4 months. And, cockerels of this breed will begin to crow at 5-6 weeks old.

Egyptian Fayoumis are an active bird known for extreme toughness and hardiness to predators, disease, and heat. They thrive as free-rangers and make excellent additions to the small farm.

The Egyptian Fayoumi chicken is a good egg layer, producing a cream-colored, medium-sized egg. They lay around 3 eggs per week or 150 eggs per year.

Paint Silkies

Silkies come in different colors. The black and white variety of the silkie chicken are referred to as Paint Silkies. Paint silkies have a white plumage with randomized blotches of black. Some paint silkies have more black spots than others.

Silkies have a few unique features their black skin, five-toed feet, and, of course, their distinct fluffy feathers which more closely resemble a fur than a feather. Silkie feathers lack barbicels, hooks that hold feathers together to look like, well, a feather.

Silkies serve more of an ornamental purpose as they are poor egg layers and small frame yields little meat. Silkies lay roughly 120 eggs annually. They are small to medium sized and cream colored. Silkies are often very broody and make good mothers.

Silkies are docile and friendly. They make excellent additions to a family flock. Their fluffy crest and lack of flight feathers make them extremely vulnerable to predators so should not be allowed to free range without supervision.

California Gray

While this is a post about black and white chicken breeds, this breed has more of a gray barred plumage. If you think they closely resemble the barred Plymouth Rock, you’d be right as they are a crossbreed between the barred rock and the white leghorn. Earning their name after the State of California when they were created in the early 1900s.

They were originally developed because of the high demand of white eggs at the time. But the breeder also wanted a bird with good meat production as well. Creating an excellently dual purpose crossbreed. The California Gray are prolific layers, producing an average of 300 large white eggs annually.

This breed is friendly and sociable, making them a great option for a home with children. They are a generally versatile breed, able to adapt easily as they are both hot and cold hardy.

Silver Laced Polish Chicken

The Silver Laced Polish Chicken originated from Poland. They are primarily bred for ornamental purposes and most known for their large crests that bloom similar to that of a Dahlia flower. Their small frame does not make them a contender for meat production but they do lay a good number of small eggs throughout the year. As one of the more productive Polish chicken breeds, the Silver Laced Polish lay about 150-200 white medium-sized eggs every year, which is about 3-4 eggs per week.

Silver Laced Polish Chickens are often described as spastic but gentle. They are wonderful additions to a diverse backyard flock

White Crested Black Polish Chicken

The White Crested Black Polish Chicken is a European breed of crested chicken most known for it’s over-the-top crests that cover basically their entire head. Unlike the Silver Laced Polish chicken, the White Crested Black Polish chicken originated in the Netherlands, not Poland. The White Crested Black Polish chicken has a black-feathered body with a large white crest topping their head.

Their primary use being ornamental, they are not well known as a meat or egg producer. They produce approximately 100 tiny white eggs annually. Don’t let that stop you though from adding these spunky funky chickens to your flock. At the end of they day, they are cute and entertaining. They were bred for showing but their friendly nature and unique look makes them a great pet too.

Silver Spangled Appenzeller Spitzhauben

The Appenzeller Spitzhauben is the national chicken breed of Switzerland. It’s most defining feature is it’s forward-pointing crest and v-shaped comb. The most common variety of this breed within the United States is the Silver spangled. They have a white plumage with black spangling (black v-shape at the tip).

Appenzeller Spitzhauben’s were developed for egg-producing purposes. They lay 3-5 white eggs per week, which is about 200 eggs annually. As a Swiss breed, they are cold-hardy and continue to lay well in the colder, winter months.

Light Brahma Chicken

Light Brahmas are one of the color variations of the Brahma Chicken. Known as “Gentle Giants”, they are large birds with a calm and docile temperament. While their size can be intimidating at first, they are extremely people oriented and love handfed treats. Due to their calm demeanor, they tolerate being in a confined space and, ironically, thrive in smaller spaces. They are not flighty and their weight limits how high they can jump, which makes them a little bit more vulnerable to predators in a free-ranging environment.

This heritage dual purpose breed is a good egg layer, especially for their size! They lay a medium sized, brown egg. On average, Light Brahmas lay 150-200 eggs annually, which is about 3-4 eggs per week. They are cold-hard duty to their extra fluffy coat making them superior winter layers. They actually produce the majority of their eggs during the winter months, from October to May! If you’re flock tends to slow down in the winter, perhaps you want to consider adding a few Light Brahma chickens to the mix to ensure eggs year round.

Light Brahma’s are an older breed of feather-footed chickens! While young, their plumage will be grey in color but by the time they reach full maturity, they will develop the deep contrasting black and white coloring that is characteristic for the breed: white body feathers with black stripping on the neck and solid black tail feathers.

Dark Brahma Chicken

Dark Brahmas are very similar to their Light Brahma counterpart in personality. Conversely, they are referred to as “Noble Giants.” Dark Brahmas are extremely easy-going, friendly birds.

They are very large size with a small pea-comb and very heavy feathering that extends down the legs, all of which contributes to their cold-hardiness and superior winter egg laying production. When egg laying starts to slow for other breeds, this chicken is just getting started, laying most of their eggs from October to May. A great addition to any flock for year-round egg production. Dark Brahmas lay upwards of 200 large brown eggs per year.

From a distance, Dark Brahmas almost give off a dusty brown color but upon closer examination, you will notice the rare penciled plumage pattern with contrasting white and black decorated feathers.

As a dual purpose breed, Brahmas are often ready for butcher at about 8-10 weeks old. Typically, broiler meat decreases in quality as they age. However, Brahma meat holds up even at 12-13 months of age without any change in taste or quality.

Japanese Bantams

This Japanese breed is an unusual bird and one of ornamental purposes. They are fair egg producers, producing one small egg per week. Their small-frame does not bode well for meat production. They come in a wide variety of colors, but of the black and white variety, the Japanese Bantams come in Black Tailed White, Mottled, and Barred feather plumage!

Japanese Bantams are a true bantam breed with no standard sized counterpart. The most defining characteristics of this bird are its very short legs. However this does not come without its complications. The trait that causes the shorter legs is the creeper gene, Cp, a recessive lethal allele. When reproducing chickens that contain the creeper gene, 25% will inherit the lethal allele and die, whereas 50% will live to develop shorter legs and the remaining 25% will grow longer legs. To continue creating the short-legged variety of the Japanese Bantams, the 25% of offspring that go on to develop long legs cannot be kept as a breeder and are not suitable for showing. Another defining characteristic of the Japanese Bantam is their black tail which is carried upward and over their head. Unusual and beautiful, making them an excellent poultry show bird.

They are not very hardy, and can be a good flier. Due to the breeding complications and overall breed profile, they are not considered a good breed for beginner chicken handlers.

Barred Cochin

The Barred Cochin is a heavy chicken breed most known for their fluffy plumage on their body and feet which adds an extra illusion to their size. They were admitted into the American Standard of Perfection in 1982. There is a Bantam variety as well.

Known for their sweet disposition, the Barred Cochin is an excellent breed for backyard farmers with children.

Barred Cochins are fair egg producers, producing only 110-160 eggs per year. They lay a medium to large-sized egg that is brown in color. For this reason, they are more kept for ornamental and meat-producing purposes.

Silver Sebright

The Silver Sebright is a true bantam breed: a miniature bird having no larger version. It is one of the oldest bantam breeds to have originated from Great Britain in the early 1800s. As a bantam, this chicken is small in size and lays small eggs. Silver Sebright are ornamental chickens, living their best lives as pretty pets or show birds. They are fair egg layers, producing 60-80 eggs per year that are a creamy-white color.

In addition to the Silver Sebright’s unique appearance, they have another distinction in that they are the only chicken to be “hen feathered.” meaning that the males do not have their typical pointed sex feathers at the hackle, the saddle or the tail.

Sebright chickens are active and sociable. They can be a bit flighty and skittish. Male Silver Sebrights are not known to be aggressive. This breed of chicken would make a great addition for a beginner to advanced chicken keeper looking for variety in their flock, not necessarily for egg production and definitely not for meat production.

Erminette Chicken

The Erminette chicken is another stunning and unique black and white chicken breed. A rare heritage breed with white feathers that have black

When people think Erminette chickens they think white with splashes of black feather and a look similar to that of a Dalmation. However, there are also solid colored varieties in white, black, and red. Erminette color genetics are determined by two genetic factors dominant white alleles and modifiers that allow black leakage. To learn more about Erminette color genetics, reference The American Erminette.

Erminettes are good layers, producing 180 large, light brown eggs annually. On a weekly basis, you can expect 3-4 eggs per week throughout the year, even during the winter months as they are relatively winter hardy.

Houdan Chicken

Houdan chickens are amazing with children with their friendly and sweet disposition. They make beautiful additions to small farms. The Houdan has a highly decorated crest, similar to that of the polish chicken. They are a medium-sized bird with mottled plumage.

The mottled Houdan is a dual purpose breed that lays a medium-to-large white egg. They are excellent layers, laying 150-230 eggs per year. Known for their excellent taste, Houdan’s make great table birds.

Originating from France, this breed of chicken is not very cold-hardy, and prefer warm, dry climates. Their larger decorative crests do limit their ability to see predators as well as other non-crested breeds. They should not be left fully unattended while free-ranging for this reason. They are also a breed that is submissive to other breeds and as a result can be bullied.

Mottled Java

The Mottled Java is one of America’s oldest chicken breeds. Second oldest, to be exact, to the Dominique. Once an extremely popular chicken breed, the Mottled Java are now considered rare and endangered. The Java was used to develop many of America’s favorite breeds, including the Rhode Island Red and Plymouth Rock Chickens.

Java’s sport a mottled plumage with a black base feather covered in white spots. Java chickens lay a large brown egg. They are excellent winter layers. Annually, mottled Javas lay about 150-180 eggs which comes to about 3-4 eggs per week.

Serama

Seramas are very small, in fact, the smallest bantam breed that comes in a variety of colors, including a black and white mottled variation. Serama chickens stand about 6-10 inches tall and stand very upright, strutting a proud chest. They are very unique in their appearance and come across as confident and proud. Seramas are super cute, almost like little cartoon characters.

Serama hens lay are great egg producers, laying about 200-250 eggs per year, which comes to 4-5 eggs per week. The thing about Serama eggs though is that they are very very small. Five serama eggs equal one standard size chicken egg. Isn’t that cute? Egg color varies from white to light brown and are sometimes speckled.

Delaware Chicken

In the early 1900s, the Delaware chicken was developed specifically for meat production; however, it’s popularity was short lived, soon being replaced by the 1950s with Cornish/Plymouth rock hybrids which now dominate the meat chicken industry. Not originally well-known by small farms, the Delaware chicken became very rare. In recent history, their population is being rediscovered and increasingly popular as a dual purpose breed for backyard chicken keepers.

Delawares are a medium-sized chicken that develop quickly. They have a white body with black barred feathers on the neck and tail. Hens of this breed are good layers, producing 4 large, light brown eggs a week, which is about 200 eggs a year.

They are a generally curious chicken that likes to explore but also can handle confinement with some engagement. They can be a bit noisy so not a great option if you have neighbors close by or live in a more urban setting.

Silver Deathlayer

An ancient German breed of chicken, the Silver Deathlayer dates back 400 years. It’s not exactly clear where the hardcore name came from but we can all agree it stands out. The Deathlayer comes in two primary colors – gold and silver. The Silver Deathlayer is the black and white variety. The body has black and white penciled feathers. The defining feature on this chicken is the all white hackle feathers.

One theory behind the name is that this chicken does not stop laying eggs until it’s death – hence Deathlayer. This fact is actually true. Other breeds of chickens will produce eggs until 3 or 4 years of age. However, the Deathlayer continues to lay eggs consistently until the end of their life, which on average is about 10 years.

The Silver Death Layer lays around 250 eggs a year (roughly 5 eggs per week). They lay a medium-sized white egg.

This breed of chicken enjoys free-ranging and does not do well confined. The Silver Deathlayer is a bit more of standoffish and does not enjoy being handled by humans.

Ancona Chickens

Ancona chickens exhibit black feathers mottled with white tips. Originating from the surrounding areas of Ancona, Italy, Ancona chickens were first brought to North America in the late 1800s.

Ancona’s are a nimbly-quick breed on high alert, making them hardy in areas with high predator populations. They are a highly active bird that enjoys free-ranging over wide areas. They tend to be hardy and good layers in the winter. However, their large single comb is vulnerable to frostbite in extremely cold climates. That being said, they also enjoy trudging around in frost and snow.

Mottled Anconas are excellent egg layers, laying medium-to-large white eggs at a rate of 220 eggs annually. While they are a more fertile breed and highly prolific, they are not often good egg-sitters and rarely go broody. Once a popular breed, Ancona’s today are considered a threatened breed.