Cream Legbar
Overview
The Cream Legbar is Britain's answer to the blue egg question: a purpose-built breed from 1930s Cambridge genetics research that combines Leghorn productivity, Araucana blue eggs, and autosexing — female chicks hatch with a distinct dark 'chipmunk' stripe while males are paler with a head spot, so there are no rooster surprises months down the road. That combination has made them one of the fastest-growing breeds in American backyards.
Legbar hens are unmistakable: gray-and-salmon crele coloring topped with a jaunty little feather crest, like they're wearing a fascinator to the garden party. They're active, inquisitive birds in the Mediterranean mold — brilliant foragers, always first to investigate anything new, and more athletic than cuddly. Handled young, they tame down nicely, but expect an energetic bird that can clear low fences when motivated.
Production is where they shine: around 200 sky-blue eggs a year, meaningfully out-laying most Ameraucanas while adding the autosexing bonus. They tolerate heat well like their Leghorn ancestors and handle cold reasonably too. Quality varies between lines — some hatchery birds lay paler or even greenish eggs — so buy from reputable stock if that pure blue matters to you.
Pros
- ✓Autosexing — males and females are distinguishable at hatch
- ✓Prolific layer of blue eggs, around 200 per year
- ✓Excellent forager that thrives free-ranging
- ✓Handles both heat and cold reasonably well
- ✓Distinctive crest and crele coloring — a pretty, unusual-looking bird
Cons
- ✗Active and flighty — can clear low fences and resists cuddling
- ✗Egg color and quality vary between hatchery lines
- ✗Can be noisy — a consideration for close neighbors
- ✗Light body means no meat value
- ✗Assertive foragers can be pushy with docile breeds at the feeder