Chickens are poultry birds most commonly used for laying eggs and meat production. However, there are many different types of poultry breeds that serve other purposes. The Calico Princess birds are great egg layers known for their beautiful coloring.
If you want to know more about this breed that looks like a glimmering topaz stone, read on for some interesting facts and information!
Brief History
The Calico Princess Chicken is a specialty hybrid fowl developed in the Czech Republic. In order to create this variety, a Red Barred rooster was crossed with a Columbian hen, which produces a color sex-able chick. The resulting chicken was a specialty hybrid fowl with distinctive calico plumage.
Appearance: Light Red Orange Plumage
The Calico Princess Chicken is easily distinguished by their calico plumage. The plumage alternates from white to light red-orange in color, giving the distinctive bright appearance like a glimmering topaz stone.
It’s topaz colored neck and head stand out. There is a small crest of feathers on its head and a dark-tipped beak. The tail is usually all black or gray.
The exact pattern of the plumage will vary from bird to bird. Still, all Calico Princesses have the same boldly-colored plumage.
Calico chicks look adorable owing to their delicate buff-brown plumage.
Characteristics
When fully grown, a Calico Princess Chicken weighs six to seven pounds, making them a great dual-purpose bird.
Temperament
Calico Princesses are known for being friendly and docile birds. Compared to others, they are relatively calm and make good backyard chickens. These pets get along well with children and other animals and are not known to be aggressive.
Hardiness
The Calico Princess Chicken is both cold hardy and heat hardy. So, they are suitable for different climates. Chicken keepers and owners are raising them in many different environments with remarkable success.
Weight
Most Calico Princess birds are relatively small, with hens weighing around 6 pounds and roosters around 7 pounds. They have a single comb that is typically red, and their wattles and earlobes are also red. Calico Princess chickens have yellow legs and feet.
Lifespan
The average lifespan of a chicken is 5 to 10 years. However, they can live up to 15 years if treated well. Predators can be a concern for the Calico Princess Chicken. One of the best ways to keep an eye on your flock is with a chicken coop camera with an integrated alarm and spotlight.
Egg (Size, Production, Colors)
Calico Princess birds are great egg layers that produce a brown egg color. These hens typically lay up to 290 eggs per year. They are winter hardy and can tolerate cold weather well.
It takes about 21 days for a Calico Princess hen to hatch an egg resulting in a Buff-colored chick. A breeder can nourish these chicks to get adult calico flock members.
Breeds Similar to the Calico Princess Chicken
The Calico Princess Chicken is a specialty hybrid, and as such, there are no other chickens that are exactly like it. However, several different breeds share the same characteristics as the Calico flock. These include the Rhode Island Red, Plymouth Rock, and Welsummer poultry breeds.
- The Rhode Island Red is known for its great egg-laying abilities and offers a light brown egg color. Their females typically lay between 200 and 250 eggs per year. The Rhode Island Red is a large bird, with hens weighing around 8 pounds and roosters around 10 pounds.
- Plymouth Rock is another breed offering a brown egg color, with hens typically laying between 200 and 280 eggs per year. They are also a good meat source, as they can reach up to 12 pounds in weight. Plymouth Rock is a dual-purpose one and is popular among backyard poultry keepers.
- The Welsummer is known for its beautiful plumage and dark brown egg color. These poultry have feathers that are shades of brown, red, and gold. The Welsummer is one of the great egg layers, with hens typically laying between 200 and 250 eggs per year. They usually weigh between 6 and 8 pounds.
Care
Calico Princess poultry requires the same primary care as any other poultry variety. They should have a coop or housing that is large enough for them to move around in and access to a chicken watering system and food at all times. They also need plenty of space to roam and exercise.
Although this breed is generally a healthy bird, like all poultry, they are susceptible to specific health problems. These include respiratory infections, Marek’s disease, and coccidiosis. Therefore, it is important to keep an eye out for signs of illness and take them to the vet if necessary.
What’s in it for you?
- It is one of the great egg layers that can thrive in many different environments.
- It is also resilient and can adapt to a variety of conditions and different climates
- Lays 290 large eggs per year
Interesting FAQ’s
Is there a story behind the name Calico Princess?
This variety hailing from the Czech Republic is known as the “Calico Princess” because of its distinctive calico coat. The name reflects its brightly-colored feathers, allowing them to easily distinguish.
What does the calico princess eat?
A Calico Princess Chicken can eat various foods but should have a diet primarily made up of poultry feed. This feed should contain all the necessary nutrients and vitamins they need to stay healthy.
How much does a calico princess cost?
The average price of a Calico Princess Chicken is about $10 to $15. However, prices may vary depending on where you purchase them and their age.
Where Can You Purchase the Specialty Hybrid Calico Princess?
The Calico Princess can be purchase from numerous hatcheries and retailers in store or mailed directly to you. The best places to purchase from are in-store (price and availability may also vary in different regions).
Why they are called glimmering topaz stone chickens?
Calico has topaz-colored plumage and its feathers alternate light red-orange and white, making it seem like a glimmering topaz stone.
The Bottom Line
The Calico Princess chicken is a very friendly, docile, and beautiful breed from the Czech Republic that makes a great addition to any flock. Given the Calico Princess appears like a glimmering topaz stone, you are sure to impress everyone who sees them. The hens also lay eggs for you year-round and are known to be reliable. Suppose you want good layers, the Calico Princess is a perfect choice to add to your backyard flock!