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Cream Legbar

The Cream Legbar is the auto-sexing blue-egg chicken: males and females can be told apart at hatch by their down color. Crested head, cream-and-gray plumage, blue eggs, friendly disposition, prolific layer.

About this breed

Quick facts: Cream Legbar

OriginCambridge University, England - 1930s by Reginald Punnett
Conservation statusRecovering (in US)
Adult weightRoosters 7.5 lb, Hens 5.5 lb
Size classStandard
Eggs per year~200
Egg colorBlue
Egg sizeMedium
BroodinessLow
Cold hardinessGood
Heat toleranceGood
Noise levelAverage
Flight tendencyLight flight
Beginner friendlyYes

History & origin

Developed at Cambridge University in the 1930s by geneticist Reginald Punnett (of the Punnett square) and Michael Pease. They crossed Brown Leghorn, Barred Plymouth Rock, and Araucana to create a sex-linked blue-egg layer. The genetic mechanism: the barring gene (B) is on the Z chromosome - males get two copies (lighter head stripe), females get one (darker head stripe). British Poultry Council recognized 1958; not yet APA but US heritage breeders are working toward it.

Personality & temperament

curiousactivefriendlyforaging

Best for: blue eggs, auto-sex, small farm

Eggs & laying

Sky-blue eggs from a true auto-sexing breed - rare combination.

Husbandry & care

Indoor coop space4 sq ft per bird
Run space12 sq ft per bird
Roost bar10 in per bird

Space: Active foragers, prefer ranged setup.

Feeding: Standard 16% layer feed.

Health: Hardy. Crest is small enough that it doesn't impair vision.

Climate: Zones 3-9. Bred for English climate.

Buying tips

  • Day-old chicks: females have a dark, distinct stripe down the back; males are lighter and blurrier.
  • Not APA-recognized in the US, so 'breed standard' varies by breeder - find one with consistent type.
  • Hatching eggs are the cheapest way to acquire - $40-80 per dozen.
  • Verify breeder is using true Cream Legbar genetics, not 'Legbar-pattern' crosses.

Did you know?

  • One of the very few auto-sexing breeds (vs sex-linked, which doesn't breed true).
  • Designed by Reginald Punnett - same Punnett of the Punnett square genetic chart.
  • Both Cream Legbar and Welsummer chicks can be sexed at hatch by markings.
  • Egg blue is identical to Ameraucana blue - same gene, different breed.

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