Mosaic chickens are a rare and new variety of chickens that are quite famous for their unique appearance. These chickens are a mix of different fibro melanistic breeds like Ayam Cemani, Silkie, Ulikba, etc, resulting in most of their body parts being black.
They are hardy, active birds and can sense threats and predators; this uniqueness sets them apart from others. These Chickens often have a distinctive blue hue to their comb and earlobes, adding to their fascinating and beautiful look.
Let’s dive to their full profile:
Overview of Mosaic Chickens
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Origin |
USA (disputed history about the origin) |
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Skin Color |
Deep blue skin |
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Feather Color |
Black, white, yellow, blue, and various patterns |
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Average weight |
6-8 lbs |
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Average Lifespan |
4-5 years |
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Bird Size |
Medium |
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Eyes |
Reddish to black with dark surrounding skin |
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Comb and Wattles |
Dark red comb and wattles |
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Comb Type |
Single |
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Distinct Feature |
Mosaic feather pattern and turquoise earlobes |
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Beak |
Mostly black or yellow with grayish shades |
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Temperament/Personality |
Calm and gentle |
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Noise level |
Moderate |
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Eggs Laying Age |
5 to 6 months |
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Egg Color |
Cream |
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Egg Size |
Medium |
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Egg Lays |
200 – 250 eggs per year (3-5 per week) |
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Broodiness |
Not broody or rarely |
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Weather Tolerance |
Heat-hardy |
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Confinement Tolerance |
Good |
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Ability to Sense Threats & Predators |
Great |
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Registration |
Not officially recognized as a breed |
Brief History of Mosaic Chicken
Poultry keepers say that the first mosaic chicken appeared in North America in the 1780s when they were brought to Ellis Island from England and France.
But some say that selective breeding at Gold Feather Farms has created the mosaic chicken breed. Since this farm was established only a few years ago, the mosaic chickens are not decades old anymore.
There is no significant historical or cultural importance attributed to this mosaic chicken breed due to its disputed origin. One thing is sure: The mosaic chicken is a crossbreed of different fibro-melanistic chickens, such as Ayam Cemani, Silkie, Kadaknath, Hmong, and Ulikba.
Over time, the original mosaics were crossbred with other breeds. As a result, some of the newer varieties show patterns similar to Campine and Braekel. This all makes it fascinating; every chicken has its unique appearance. It’s what makes them special and one of a kind.
The Temperament of Mosaic Chicken
Mosaic chickens are gentle, calm, and friendly birds. They tend to enjoy the company of humans and they are also harmless to your kids.
They are active and socialized chickens so it’s important to socialize them with their flock and other breeds, otherwise they may die of loneliness. As they are calm and gentle by nature it’s necessary to be careful when they meet or mingle with other aggressive breeds.
They are very alert chickens and have a great sense of detecting and deflecting predators or other threats. Mosaic Chicken is also a great free ranger. They love to explore their surroundings and search for food.
The Appearance of Mosaic Chicken
Mosaic chickens have a frost white to black color of feathers with patches of iridescent feathers that reflect different colors in the light. Their unique feathers and overall look make them exceptional and distinguishable.
- Feather
Mosaic chickens have a frost white to black color of feathers with patches of iridescent feathers which makes them wonderful.
- Skin
Mosaic chickens have deep blue skin, which is because of the breeds from which they develop like Ayam Cemani, Silkie, Kadaknath, Hmong, and Ulikbas.
- Weight
On average they weigh between 6-8 lbs.
- Size
They are Medium-sized birds.
- Comb and Wattles
These chickens have a dark red comb and wattles.
- Earlobes
Mosaic hens have bright turquoise earlobes.
- Beak
The beak of a mosaic chicken is mostly black or yellow, with grayish tones.
- Legs and Feet
They have black legs and feet.
- Eyes
The eyes of mosaic chickens are reddish to black with dark surrounding skin.
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Last but not least, each mosaic chicken is different from the others, it’s difficult to find mosaics with the same patterns and colors. |
The Lifespan of Mosaic Chickens
The lifespan of a chicken depends on several factors like their diet, environment, health, relationships, etc.
However, on average a mosaic chicken lives 4-5 years, you can extend this by providing well-formulated feed, a suitable environment, proper management, and proper health care.
Is Mosaic Chicken Register Breed?
No, mosaic chicken is not officially a registered breed, there is currently no organization that has been shown to register this particular breed.
Disappointingly, this breed has not been registered yet, but we hope that one day this will be a separately registered breed.
Is Mosaic Chicken Broody?
Broodiness is when a hen sits on her eggs to incubate them and hatch them. Mosaic chickens are an uncommon breed of chickens and are not known for their broodiness as they are not broody or moderate broody.
This means if you have Mosaic chickens, you will need to collect the eggs yourself and incubate and hatch them artificially in the incubator.
Laying Capacity of Mosaic Chicken
Mosaic chickens are also famous for their prolific egg-laying ability, they start producing eggs at the age of 5-6 months. They produce between 200-250 eggs per year meaning 3-5 eggs per week, which are medium in size and cream colored.
You can collect their eggs for incubating and hatching if you want chicks as they are not broody or rarely broody. You can also sell their eggs. Stress-free environment, proper diet, good health care, and friendly, calm friends will boost egg-producing capacity.
The Requirements for Mosaic Chicken
If you want to raise and keep mosaic chicken you will need to keep in mind some of their requirements so they live long and happily.
But if you cannot afford to keep them free and need to confine them, make sure you dedicate three square feet of space per bird. Usually, the more, the merrier.
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Understand Mosaic Chicken
As they are a unique breed, you don’t know what they need and what they don’t, try to understand their nature, behavior, and personality so you will know their needs.
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House Management
A well-created and predator-proof coop will ensure the comfortability and protection of your chickens.
Ensure to have soft and fine nesting boxes and rods for resting or sleeping in the house. Warming their coop is necessary in cold weather so they will prevent most health problems.
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Optimum Diet
Offer well-formulated feed to your mosaics and ensure that the feed is full of proteins, lipids, minerals, carbohydrates, and vitamins as these are crucial nutrients.
Ensure that they have access to clean and fresh water, you can offer water in a waterer and feed in the feeder and place it a few inches above the ground. Also, add fruits and vegetables into their diet as they help to keep your mosaic chicken fresh and healthy.
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Dust Baths
Dust baths are beneficial for chickens, they remove parasites and mites from chickens and keep them active and happy. Chickens love to do dust baths, so you need to provide dry and clean soil or sand in their surroundings so they can easily do their loving activity.
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Proper Health Care
Regular health checkups are necessary as birds are susceptible to many health problems. Always looking for signs of illness or any disorder and contacting a veterinarian for that health problem will ensure their well-being, productivity, and longevity.
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Provide Enough Space
Make sure to provide enough space for roaming, dust baths, and other activities. Mosaic chickens are good foragers; they need enough space to explore and find food to feed themselves.
Conclusion
Mosaic chicken is a rare and not registered breed, quietly famous for their prolific egg-laying ability, distinctive appearance, and calm, gentle, and friendly temperament. Finding the same pattern and color of mosaic chicken is difficult as they all are different from each other.
They also can’t sit on their eggs to hatch them, as they are not broody or rarely broody, still if you want chicks then you need to collect their eggs and incubate and hatch them in incubators.
Have you ever used an incubator for hatching? Feel free to share your thoughts with us.
FAQs
Are mosaic chickens perfect for beginners?
Yes, in my opinion, they are perfect for beginners or newbies as they don’t want any special care or ample space and give you a lot of eggs and joy.
Are mosaic chickens aggressive?
No, they are gentle, calm, and friendly birds. They love to play with humans and their chicken friends.
What is the color of mosaic chicken eggs?
They produce cream-colored eggs.
How many eggs do mosaic chickens lay?
Mosaic chickens lay around 200-250 eggs.
Where can I buy mosaic chicken?
They are hard to find because of their rareness, mosaic chickens are available in some farms:
- Gold Feather Farm
Sells mosaic chickens, their chicks, and their eggs.
- Open Gate Poultry
Selling mostly grown chickens.
What is the price of mosaic chicken?
The price or cost of mosaic chicken ranges from $25-$40 or more, which is not fixed as the price depends on many factors (age, health, area, etc).
