Sapphire Gem Chickens: The Ultimate Guide to Raising Them
Sapphire Gem chickens are a beautiful choice for any backyard flock (they’re one of my favorites!) They are becoming very popular because of their lovely feathers and friendly behavior. Thanks to their calm nature, these chickens are perfect for families and people new to keeping chickens!
Today, I wanted to share everything I know about these beloved creatures in this article. We’ll discuss their personalities, rich history, egg-laying capabilities, benefits, and challenges. I’ll even share my proper care tips to keep them in top shape for the most egg production!
By the end of the article, I hope you’ll know if Sapphire Gem chickens are right for you and if you should include them in your flock. Keep reading to learn more about this unique chicken breed!
Key Highlights
- Sapphire Gem Chickens are known for their beautiful lavender-tinged plumage.
- They lay roughly 260 large brown eggs per year (five eggs a week), but this can be up to 290 eggs annually.
- They are friendly and docile birds, making them an excellent choice for families.
- People generally do not raise Sapphire Gem chickens for meat. Instead, people keep them for their beautiful plumage and egg production.
- The breed is assumed to have originated in the Czech Republic.
- Sapphire Gem chickens are relatively low maintenance, making them an ideal choice for first-time owners.
What is a Sapphire Gem Chicken?
Chicken owners love Sapphire Gem Chickens (Sapphire Blue Plymouth Rocks) for their stunning sapphire feathers and friendly nature! This breed is beautiful, great at finding food, and lays many eggs (up to 290 eggs annually), more than many chicken breeds!
With their growing popularity, you might question their history, temperament, or ease of care. In this article, we will look at everything you should know about Sapphire Gem chickens. Let’s begin!
Origins & History
The Sapphire Gem Chicken has a long history; some believe it originated in the Czech Republic. However, there isn’t clear evidence for this.
Many people love them for their unique look and friendly nature. Breeders created this breed by mixing traits from the Barred Plymouth Rock and Blue Plymouth Rock.
The name “Sapphire Gem” refers to their shiny blue feathers, which make them stand out. In recent years, more people have become interested in these birds because of their unique colors.
The Sapphire Gem Chicken is not all looks, though. They can lay up to 290 eggs each year! These gentle birds are also adaptable and tough, making them great for new and experienced chicken keepers.
Sapphire Gem Chickens can endure extreme weather conditions and easily withstand cold climates. However, you’ll still want to give them adequate shelter and care, ensuring they have a well-insulated chicken coop and plenty of space to roam.
Unique Characteristics & Appearance
As mentioned, the Sapphire Gem Chicken is most known for its beautiful plumage. However, initially, it’s hard to tell the male and female baby chicks apart because they look similar.
The one key difference is that the male Sapphire Gem chicks have a white dot on their head or wings. In contrast, female chicks are blue and have grey or gold feathers.
As they grow up, male and female Sapphire Gem chickens get blue or lavender feathers, so they have “Sapphire” in their name. Due to their colors, many people think they look like Old Andalusians.
But there is an easy way to tell them apart as adults. Sapphire Gem roosters have larger, bright combs, which helps distinguish them from the hens.
Understanding the Sapphire Gem Chicken’s Personality
The Sapphire Gem Chicken has a charming personality and quickly wins over anyone it meets. These gentle birds are suitable for both small and large flocks. Mine get along with my entire flock!
Sapphire Gem chickens are also curious. They love to explore their homes and play with their owners. If you have Sapphire Gem chickens, you will enjoy watching their funny little actions as they get into all kinds of antics!
Temperament & Behavior
The Sapphire Gem chicken is known for being friendly and calm, making them a good choice for your backyard flock. They can easily adjust to new homes, which helps them settle in without much stress.
These chickens are usually quiet in terms of behavior. They typically don’t bother the neighbors and get along well with other animals. However, the roosters may be loud, especially in the mornings, and the hens may chirp here and there.
Interaction with Humans & Other Chickens
Sapphire Gem chickens are calm and friendly. They like to be in a flock and are social animals. They enjoy being around other chickens and people.
These chickens are perfect for both new and skilled chicken keepers. They do well with human interaction and will be happy if you spend time with your Sapphire Gem chickens daily. Since they are social, they love attention!
Also, Sapphire Gem chickens are flexible. They get along with other chicken breeds so that you can add them to a flock with different types of chickens without worry. I introduced my Sapphire Gem chickens to my flock without a problem!
The Sapphire Gem’s Egg Laying Capabilities
When choosing a chicken breed for your flock, many people consider the number of eggs the chickens will lay. Lucky for you, Sapphire Gem chickens are known for laying many large brown eggs!
Many owners love that Sapphire Gems lay lots of large eggs. These large eggs make them a great choice if you want to start a small egg-selling business, or it can ensure you and your family have a regular supply of fresh eggs! I love giving my chicken eggs to friends and family.
Egg Color & Size
Sapphire Gem chickens are famous for laying a lot of eggs. And they don’t just produce a lot; these eggs are large and brown, distinguishing them from other chicken breeds!
People often confuse Sapphire Gem chickens with Sapphire chickens. The Sapphire chickens lay blue eggs. Knowing which breed you have is essential because it changes the egg color and production. So, remember that Sapphire Gem chicken egg color is brown, not blue!
Laying Frequency & Seasonal Changes
Sapphire Gem hens can lay around five eggs each week. That means they can produce about 260 eggs, but I’ve seen some lay 290 eggs in a year!
Sapphire Gem chickens are one of the best egg layers. However, some factors can affect how many eggs they lay. These include their diet, the season, and how healthy the hen is.
Most chicken breeds lay more eggs in spring and summer because the chickens are more lively when the days are longer and find more food. These long summer days stimulate the hen’s ovulation.
Sapphire Gem chickens are also robust and can handle cold weather well. Sapphire Gems are perfect for any backyard flock, regardless of where you live.
My Top Essential Care Tips for Sapphire Gem Chickens
To keep Sapphire Gem Chickens happy so they produce the highest yield of eggs, follow these essential care tips:
- You’ll want to ensure they have a big coop to live in (at least four square feet of space in the coop is good, and eight square feet of outdoor space).
- Always give them fresh water. I provide all of my animals with fresh water every day!
- Feed them a balanced diet. Their diet should consist of high-quality poultry feed and up to 10% treats (mealworms and cherries are good options!)
Housing Needs: Coop Design and Space
You’ll need a spacious and enclosed coop or pen of the right size to keep your Sapphire gem chickens safe from predators (I’m looking at you, skunks!) and bad weather.
A good rule is to give each chicken four square feet of space. This amount of space helps your chickens feel happy and prevents fighting and aggression towards one another. But don’t forget: they also need room outside the coop to move and find food!
On average, a Sapphire Gem chicken needs about eight square feet of outdoor space. To keep them safe from predators, ensure welded wire or hardware cloth surrounds the area.
Keep an eye on your Sapphire Gems. Are they getting aggressive toward each other? If so, you might consider giving them more space, whether inside or outside.
Diet and Nutrition: What to Feed Them
Sapphire Gem chickens, like all animals, need a balanced diet to grow well and produce lots of high-quality eggs. Good-quality poultry feed easily achieves this! You can also ferment your chicken feed for more probiotics for your flock.
In addition to food, make sure your chickens have fresh water all the time. Daily fresh water helps them cool down and keep their bodies working properly. Just like humans, chickens need different vitamins and minerals to grow strong!
You can provide these essential nutrients through supplements, like high-protein mealworms, or healthy treats like cherries. Just be careful and give these treats in small amounts. Chicken treats should take up no more than 10% of their overall diet.
Also, I wouldn’t worry too much about the pit of the cherries getting lodged in their crop. Mine fly straight into the cherry tree and have a feast, and I haven’t had any problems!
Health and Wellness: Preventing Common Diseases
Overall, Sapphire Gem chickens are in good health and wellness and are not prone to as many diseases as other chicken breeds. Their good health makes them a low-maintenance breed to care for!
However, Sapphire Gems are not entirely vulnerable to diseases. Like any chicken breed, they can experience health issues, too.
For example, chickens are susceptible to internal and external parasites such as lice, mites, and worms. These parasites can cause discomfort, stress, and health complications for your flock.
But there’s no need to worry. Keeping these parasites at bay is pretty straightforward, and I’ll show you how!
The best way to prevent this is by giving your chickens a dust bath. Chickens love rolling around in their dust baths to clean their feathers.
I make my dust baths using a small container or a dedicated area in their coop. I like digging a hole roughly 60cm in diameter and 20cm in depth:
Ingredient | Benefits |
Fine Dry Dirt/Sand | Provides the base for the dust bath |
Wood Ash | It helps deter parasites and insects |
Diatomaceous Earth | Dehydrates parasites, effectively killing them |
You may also want to add fragrant herbs like lavender, mint, and rosemary. Sprinkle dried herbs in your chickens’ dust bath to create a pleasant scent and provide natural insecticides!
One final thing: cover your dust bath when it rains! The last thing you’ll want is a clumpy, muddy dust bath your chickens won’t use. You want it to be bone dry.
I put a tarp over mine, but feel free to use an umbrella or place a tent over your dust bath!
The Benefits & Challenges of Raising Sapphire Gem Chickens
If you are considering getting Sapphire Gem chickens for your flock, it’s essential to consider both the benefits and the drawbacks before purchasing and raising these chickens. This way, you will know what to expect before you decide if this breed is a good fit for you.
5 Reasons to Choose Sapphire Gem Chickens for Your Flock
Here are my top reasons for why you should add Sapphire Gem chickens to your flock:
- Sapphire Gem Chickens are an excellent choice for new and experienced chicken owners as they are easy to care for, making them perfect if you are a first-time owner.
- They lay many large, brown eggs (up to 290 annually!)
- Unlike other breeds, these chickens are healthy and do not get sick easily.
- They have a gentle nature and friendly behavior, meaning your family and friends will love them.
- They are safe around small children and are not likely to hurt them.
Potential Issues and How to Overcome Them
Sapphire Gem chickens are strong, hardy, and can handle cold and hot weather. However, they can still suffer from heat stress on sweltering days.
Your chickens will show signs of heat stress when they start panting heavily or hold their wings away from their bodies. To prevent heat stress, ensure your chickens have plenty of shade and cool water!
If you live in a hot area, consider adding electrolytes to your chickens’ drinking water. I like making homemade electrolytes for my chickens, from sugar, sea salt, baking soda, and potassium chloride, optionally omitting the potassium chloride. You’ll also want to keep the coop cool by ensuring it is well-ventilated.
Another essential thing to remember when caring for Sapphire Gem chickens is to keep their coop dry. A damp coop can lead to respiratory problems!
Sapphire Gem Chickens: The Right Breed for You?
So, you’ve made it to the end. That leaves me with the ultimate question: are Sapphire Gem chickens the right fit for you?
If you’re looking for a breed that combines stunning aesthetics with a friendly disposition and impressive egg production, these lovely birds might be your perfect match! Their striking lavender feathers and warm personalities make them a delight, whether you’re a seasoned chicken keeper or just starting.
These chickens thrive in various conditions and require minimal fuss, making them ideal for families and first-timers. My favorite thing about them is that they can lay up to 290 large brown eggs annually, which offers beauty and practicality!
Of course, they will need ample space, shelter, and some care tips to keep them happy and healthy. But if you’re ready to give them the love and attention they deserve, Sapphire Gem chickens will surely be a charming addition to your flock!
Thanks for reading my ultimate guide on Sapphire Gem chickens. I’ve shared what I know, so I hope you found it helpful! Will you be adding Sapphire Gem chickens to your flock?
Here are some other chicken breeds:
- Cinnamon Queen Chickens: The Ultimate Egg-Laying Machines!
- Brahma Chickens: The Gentle Giants of the Poultry World
- Jersey Giant Chickens: How to Care For These Gentle Giants
Frequently Asked Questions
What color egg does a Sapphire Gem chicken lay?
Sapphire Gem chickens lay large brown eggs, which should not be confused with the blue eggs a Sapphire chicken lays.
Are Sapphire Gems good for chickens?
Yes, Sapphire Gems are good for chickens. They are friendly and strong and an excellent choice for any backyard flock due to their ability to adapt quickly.
Is a Sapphire Gem an Olive Egger?
The Sapphire Gem breed is different from the Olive Egger breed. The Sapphire Olive Eggers are produced by meticulously breeding a chicken that can lay blue eggs like Ameraucana, Araucana, or Legbar, with a Sapphire Gem (also known as a Blue Plymouth Rock). Sapphire Gems lay brown eggs, while Olive Eggers lay olive-colored eggs!
How can you tell if a Sapphire Gem chicken is male or female?
On the day they hatch, you can tell your Sapphire Gem chicken is male if it has a white patch on its head or wings. Females will have completely blue or lavender feathers. The Sapphire Gem roosters will have more prominent, brighter combs as adults.
What is another name for a Sapphire Gem chicken?
Another name for the Sapphire Gem chicken is Sapphire Blue Plymouth Rock. Although the American Poultry Association does not recognize Sapphire Gems as a breed, Hoover’s Hatchery has trademarked the name. As a result, the chicken may also be referred to as the Sapphire Blue Plymouth Rock, the Blue Sapphire, or other similar names.
How many eggs do Sapphire Gem chickens lay a day?
This breed can lay about five eggs weekly (that’s one egg almost daily). This egg-laying quantity adds up to around 260 eggs annually, but this number can increase to 290. As a result, Sapphire Gems make for a good choice for people who want to grow their backyard flock!
Are Sapphire Gem chickens winter hardy?
Yes, Sapphire Gem chickens are winter hardy. They do well in both hot and cold climates.
Are Sapphire Gems good layers?
Yes, Sapphire Gem chickens lay up to 290 large brown eggs annually. On average, they can lay around 260 to 280 eggs, enough to keep your family full of fresh eggs!
What chicken lays pink eggs?
Light Sussex, Buff Orpingtons, Mottled Javas, Australorps, Silkies, and Faverolles all produce pink-cream eggs. Some Easter Eggers may lay cream or pink eggs, while others lay green or bluish eggs.
What are the rarest chicken egg colors?
Blue, green, olive, dark chocolate brown are some of the rarest colors for chicken eggs. However, the Sapphire Gem breed does not produce these colors of eggs.
Are Sapphire Gems good mothers?
Yes, Sapphire Gems make excellent mothers. They produce sizable brown eggs, exhibit strong maternal instincts, and have good relationships with their flock members.
What two chickens make a Sapphire Gem?
Breeders likely created this breed by mixing Blue Plymouth Rocks with Barred Plymouth Rocks, which explains their beautiful plumage and excellent egg-laying skills.
What is the personality of a Sapphire Gem rooster?
Sapphire Gem roosters are usually gentle. They tend to be calmer and less aggressive than other roosters, and this temperament can affect the dynamics of the flock.
-Jen
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