The Silverudd’s Blue is a medium-sized, dual-purpose breed that originated in Sweden. It was developed in the 1980s by Martin Silverudd, who was looking to create a reliable green egg layer. The breed is a work in progress and continues to be refined by breeders to stabilise both egg colour and physical traits.

Egg Production

Silverudd’s Blue hens are known for producing green eggs, ranging from pale mint to olive shades. Some eggs may also be lightly speckled. On average, hens lay between 200-250 eggs per year. Laying usually begins at around 5-6 months of age. These birds are dependable layers, often continuing to lay through winter with minimal slowdown if provided with suitable conditions. The egg colour remains consistent throughout the hen’s life, and hens are not generally prone to broodiness.

Appearance

Silverudd’s Blues come in three colour varieties: blue, black, and splash. The colour is determined by standard blue dilution genetics. The blue variety features a soft, slate-grey feathering, the black is glossy and solid, and the splash appears mottled with white and grey. Roosters may develop subtle gold or silver highlights in the hackle and saddle feathers. All birds should have a single comb, dark eyes, and slate or dark legs.

Silverudd’s Blue does not yet have a fixed standard of perfection. Unlike more established breeds, where body shape, feather pattern, and colour are strictly defined, the primary goal for Silverudd’s Blue breeders is to preserve and stabilise the double blue egg gene. This means that egg colour takes priority in selection. Only once this trait is reliably passed on will breeders focus more on refining uniformity in size, conformation, and feather colour. As a result, there may still be a fair amount of variation among flocks in terms of physical appearance, but consistency in egg colour remains the defining goal.

Temperament and Behaviour

This breed is calm, intelligent, and well suited to a variety of flock environments. Silverudd’s Blues are confident but not aggressive, and they typically settle well into mixed flocks. They enjoy foraging and are active, making them excellent free-range birds. Roosters are known to be protective of their hens without showing unnecessary aggression. These birds are also quite people-friendly and tend to become more docile with regular handling.

Suitability and Care

Silverudd’s Blues are hardy and adaptable, making them suitable for a range of climates and management styles. They perform well in both confined spaces and free-range systems, as long as they receive enough stimulation and have access to balanced nutrition. Their active foraging ability can help reduce feed costs in larger setups. Because of their unique green eggs and steady productivity, they are popular with both backyard keepers and small-scale farmers.

There are continued breeding efforts in South Africa and internationally to improve the consistency of the green egg gene across future generations. This work is helping to strengthen the breed's status and value as a reliable green egg layer.

Livingseeds Genetics

All of the Silverudd’s Blue roosters on Livingseeds Farm have been genetically tested to be "Double Blue"; this means that our boys will pass on two sets of blue (green) genes to their offspring. This trait is the primary standard when selecting for future generations. We also cull for all of the other flaws, such as yellow legs, red or copper leakage, feathered legs, etc.

Summary

The Silverudd’s Blue is a productive, hardy, and attractive bird with a calm nature. It is a reliable green egg layer with good foraging skills and an easy-going temperament. This breed is a great option for anyone looking to add both utility and a splash of colour to their flock.