All Chicken Breeds With White Earlobes (With Pictures)

To a regular Joe, a chicken is simply a chicken. But, for we chicken owners, it’s a whole other ball game.

You see, we chicken owners obsess over the slightest differences between each chicken breed. Unless that’s just the crazy chicken owner coming out of me!

Of these obsessions, there are those that purposefully seek out chickens with white earlobes, as opposed to the standard red ear lobes you see in most breeds.

Why? Because chickens with white earlobes are stunning that’s why.

So if you’re looking to add a new member to your flock, you’re trying to identify a chicken, or are simply curious, here are all the most popular breeds of chickens with white earlobes!

What Chicken Breed Has White Earlobes?

Some chickens have red earlobes, yellow earlobes, some even have blue earlobes. In some breeds of chicken, you can’t even see their earlobes, as they’re hiding under big tufts of feathers (like Ameraucana’s!).

But, there are those that have bright white earlobes too. Although they’re not as common as your typical red earlobed chicken, they’re not an anomaly either!

Many chickens with white earlobes have Spanish origins, like the Minorca chicken or Andalasuain chicken. Others have Mediterranean or even wider European origins too.

But, the most popular and most common chickens with white earlobes are the Minorca, Ancona, Andalasuain, and even the Leghorn. 

Although there are some other white earlobed- breeds too, it’s these select breeds which are the most prized for their white earlobes.

What Determines The Color Of A Chickens Earlobes

It’s funny, out of all the vast breeds of chickens the color of a chicken’s comb and wattles always remain the same: a distinctly deep red.

So why is it that the color of a chicken’s earlobes can be different?

Well, scientific theories suggest it’s linked to the presence of porphyrins in red blood cells. This process is also genetically linked, which explains why the color of a chicken breeds earlobe stays the same through their offspring.

It’s even said that this link of porphyrins determines the color of a chicken’s egg too.

When it comes to white earlobed chickens, it’s a certainty that these chickens will lay white eggs exclusively, which is another reason they can be highly sought after.

Top Chicken Breeds With White Earlobes

Now that the world of white earlobed chickens has been opened up to you, it’s our pleasure to introduce you to some of the greatest white-earlobed chooks out there.

The most common, popular, and gorgeous chicken breeds with white earlobes, include the Minorca chicken, Ancona chicken, Leghorn, and Andalusian Chicken.

Here’s what you need to know!

Minorca Chicken

There are many reasons to love the Minorca chicken. Of course, they do have vibrantly bright white ear lobes, but this Spanish chicken is more than just a pretty face.

Minorca chickens are considered to be rather free-spirited and active chickens, with each hen laying 120 – 150 beautiful white eggs per year.

They’re small-to-medium sized, but they have big, big personalities.

Gotta love ’em!

Ancona Chicken

Originating from Marche, Italy, this chicken breed got its name from Marche’s capital, Ancona

Anconas have yellow skin, and their comb varies from single to rose. Of course, they have beautiful white earlobes, but they also have stunning black feathers with white tips – making them look rather stunning if I do say so myself. 

But they’re not freeloaders either, being capable of laying around 200 eggs per year.

Ancona chickens make for an awesome all-rounder, and even come in bantam varieties too!

Leghorn

The Leghorn chicken breed is suspected to originate from Tuscany, Italy, but to date, there are at least 13 variants.

Though, when you talk about Leghorns, most people are talking about the distinctly white-feathered variety.

Leghorns are great layers, with each hen laying about 250 eggs per year! Plus they’re rather easy to take care of, making them highly popular among backyard farmers and chicken owners.

Now, not every leghorn chicken will have white earlobes, many do have red earlobes too.

But, those that are bred with white earlobes will continue to have offspring with white earlobes – so you can trust you’re getting white earlobed leghorns if their parents also had them!

Andalusian Chicken

Andalusian chickens are much rarer in the wider world and America – so I’ve never had the chance to see one in person myself!

Andalusian chickens are widely known for this distinctly blue plumage, often being referred to as Andalusian blues.

These beautiful chooks have the well sought after white earlobes, lay around 120 – 160 eggs per year, and thrive in warmer climates.

That’s All Folks!

So there you have it.

Whether you’re looking for a new chicken to add to your flock or you’re trying to identify a chicken, you’ll find the most common and popular breeds of chickens with white earlobes are the Minorca, Ancona, Leghorn, and Andalasuian. 

Each of these chooks share the most uniquely bright white earlobes — but have their own unique traits too.

Which one is your favorite?

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