California White — Day-Old Chicks

A hardworking hybrid layer of extra-large white eggs. Developed in California in the 1950s from California Grays and White Leghorns, California Whites are mostly white with a scattering of black spots.

Why backyard keepers love them:

• 🥚 About 280 extra-large white eggs per year — one of our most productive layers
• 🤍 White with black flecks — a clean, simple look
• ❄️ Cold hardy — and tolerate heat well
• ⚡ Active — busy, efficient birds
• 🏡 Efficient layer — great feed-to-egg value

What to expect from your California White chicks:

Your California White chicks are pale yellow with a few black spots. They grow into hens of about 4.5 lbs, with roosters about 5.5 lbs. We may substitute a closely related white-egg layer when needed. Marek's Disease vaccination is optional and is not included in the chick price. To vaccinate your chicks, check the Marek's vaccine box in your cart. Chicks are backed by our live arrival guarantee.

Weeks to first egg: about 18–22 weeks
Egg size: Extra Large
Egg color: White
Eggs per year: about 280

Common questions about California White Chickens

How many eggs do they lay?
About 280 extra-large white eggs a year.

Are they friendly?
They're active rather than cuddly.

Do they handle heat and cold?
Yes. They're cold hardy and tolerate heat well.

Do they go broody?
No.

Pairs well with:

• White Leghorn: another top white-egg layer
• Black Sex Link: a high-production brown-egg layer from our farm

Maximum eggs, minimum fuss — reserve your California White chicks today.

Shipping and ordering

• The separate box ships at our regular chick rates, and it ships free when you also order 6 or more chicks from our main breeds to be shipped. Ships-separately breeds aren't available for local pickup. To pick up chicks from our main breeds, place a separate shipped order for the ships-separately breeds.
• Minimum order: 6 chicks total from our ships-separately breeds. Mix and match any of our ships-separately chicken and bantam breeds to reach the minimum, as long as they all ship the same week.
• Ships-separately breeds ship in their own box, separately from our main breeds, and the two don't count toward each other's minimums. If you order both, you'll receive separate boxes with separate tracking.
• Breeds and sexes are packed together and are not marked. If you need to tell birds apart, choose breeds that look different as chicks.
• Ships from another of our locations in a separate box, shipped directly by USPS to your local post office for pickup during the ship week you choose. Tracking is emailed to you once your chicks ship.
• Street address required (no P.O. boxes). Your post office will call when your chicks arrive.
• Live-arrival guarantee: if any chicks arrive deceased, email chicks@chesapeake-hatchery.com within 72 hours of delivery with your order number and the number of losses.