Sapphire Gem Chicken: Ultimate Guide (Personality, Eggs, Care)
Published: April 1, 2023
Are you looking for a unique and admired breed of chicken to add to your flock? If so, the Sapphire Gem Chicken may be perfect for you.
The Sapphire Gem Chicken, also known as the Sapphire Blue Plymouth Rock, is mainly known for their beautiful sapphire feathers and friendly personality, but there's more than meets the eye with these fantastic birds. They're also excellent egg layers and great foragers. What's not to like?
This article will cover everything you need to know about Sapphire Gem Chickens, including their history, eggs, and care. By the end, you'll know if they are right for you.
Pros and Cons of the Sapphire Gem Chicken
Here is a quick look at the pros and cons of the Sapphire Gem Chicken:
Pros:
They produce a high quantity of large, brown eggs
Friendly personalities that get along with everyone, including other breeds and animals
Generally hardy and healthy with beautiful plumage.
They are considered to be a medium-sized breed which is a suitable size for raising chickens
Cons:
Due to their large egg production, they are not the most suitable meat chickens
They can be difficult to find for sale
They are an expensive breed
As you can see, the pros outweigh the cons, as Sapphire Gem Chickens are a great choice for people looking for a unique and friendly breed.
What is a Sapphire Gem Chicken?
First, let's start with a quick overview of the Sapphire Gem Chicken.
The Sapphire Gem Chicken is a fabulous and intriguing breed, captivating poultry enthusiasts with its stunning appearance and delightful personality. Boasting an elegant mix of gray-blue feathers and brilliant red combs, this unique bird truly resembles a beautiful sapphire gem, which is the inspiration behind its name.
Initially developed in Europe, this breed is prized for its impressive egg-laying abilities, consistently producing large, brown eggs.
In addition, they are known for being docile and sociable birds, which makes them ideal for both experienced and novice poultry keepers.
Their charm, exceptional egg production, and vibrant hues make the Sapphire Gem Chicken an unforgettable addition to any flock, garnering praise and admiration from all who look at them.
History of the Sapphire Gem Chicken
But where do these friendly fowls come from, and what is their history?
The Sapphire Gem Chicken is a fascinating breed with a rich history, enchanting enthusiasts with a unique appearance, and an amiable personality.
These stunning birds can be traced back to Eastern Europe in the Czech Republic, where poultry farmers and breeders melded various traits from the Blue Plymouth Rock and Barred Plymouth Rock breeds.
The captivating name, Sapphire Gem, is derived from their mesmerizing plumage that gleams with an almost iridescent blue hue. This distinct feature sets them apart from other breeds and has contributed to their surge in popularity in recent years.
Not only are Sapphire Gems visually captivating, but they are also revered for their exceptional laying capabilities, doling out up to approximately 280 eggs annually. So not only are they beautiful, but they also have great personalities and produce eggs you can eat or sell.
Being from the Czech Republic, these docile birds are known for their adaptability and hardiness, making them an ideal choice for novice and seasoned chicken keepers.
In short, the Sapphire Gem Chicken is a magnificent blend of unique history, genetic diversity, and charming attributes, making them a prized addition to any coop or farm.
Physicality
Overall, Sapphire Gem chickens have a sizeable physicality with beautiful feathers and combs.
Size and weight
One question people commonly ask is how big do Sapphire Gem Chickens get?
On average, male roosters can grow to about five pounds, while female hens weigh around four pounds. This is a pretty average weight for a chicken, making their robust build visually appealing and a sizable and sustainable option for those looking to raise chickens for their eggs.
Feathers
Both male and female newly hatched Sapphire Gem chicks will look similar. However, one key differentiating factor is that newly hatched male Sapphire Gem chicks generally have a white dot on their heads or wings. Meanwhile, female Sapphire Gem chicks often appear blue with gray or gold feathers.
Once full-blown adults, both male and female Sapphire Gem chickens have blue or lavender feathers, giving them the "sapphire" in their name.
Comb
As with many breeds of chickens, rooster combs are brighter and more prominent than the combs of smaller female Sapphire Gem chickens.
Personality
The Sapphire Gem chicken offers a delightful and captivating personality that easily wins the hearts of those who encounter them.
These charming birds are known for their docile and friendly nature, making them excellent additions to small backyard flocks and larger farm environments. They are curious creatures, often eager to explore their surroundings and interact with their human caretakers. This inquisitiveness also adds an element of entertainment to the experience of raising these birds, as they often engage in amusing antics that can leave a lasting smile on your face.
Additionally, Sapphire Gem chickens are highly adaptable and get along well with other breeds, making them perfect for fostering a harmonious coop environment.
Overall, the personality of a Sapphire Gem chicken is a delightful blend of social, gentle, and inquisitive attributes that make them delightful companions for both seasoned chicken enthusiasts and those new to the world of poultry.
Noise levels
Fortunately, Sapphire Gems are known to be relatively quiet and calm birds, making them an ideal choice for those with neighbors nearby or for those who desire a more peaceful atmosphere. Their gentle temperament makes them great additions to a family environment and brings tranquility to your backyard flock.
However, this doesn't mean you Sapphire Gem chickens will make no noise whatsoever. A Sapphire Gem chicken rooster can still be noisy, while a Sapphire Gem hen may chirp throughout the day.
So, while you can expect occasional chatter from the hens or distinctive crowing from roosters, Sapphire Gem chickens will generally be less disruptive than many other breeds.
Eggs
Sapphire Gem chickens are known for laying many large eggs per year.
Appearance
Sapphire Gem eggs are brown, and they are considered to be large in size.
Frequency
Sapphire Gem hens will start laying around five eggs per week at around six months old. This can be between 260-280 eggs a year.
Due to the high volume and large size of Sapphire Gem chicken eggs, it's no wonder they're so popular.
Care
Taking good care of a Sapphire Gem chicken requires attention to its specific needs to maintain its health, happiness, and beautiful plumage.
Coop
As with any chicken breed, Sapphire Gem chickens enjoy a well-maintained coop or enclosed pen to keep them safe from potential predators or harsh weather conditions.
Overall their environment should be spacious and secure. As a rule of thumb, give each Sapphire Gem chicken four square feet of room in the chicken coop. This will keep your chickens happy and healthy and prevent any aggravation among the chickens.
It's important to note that your chicken coop has the essentials a Sapphire Chicken would want, which include:
Roosting bars (a place for your chickens to rest and sleep, as well as feel safe from potential threats)
Nesting boxes
Insulation
Lighting
Proper ventilation
Land and exercise
Indoors isn't the only thing to think about. When considering raising these magnificent birds, it's crucial to account for the space needed to thrive outdoors.
Typically, the recommended space for a standard-size chicken like the Sapphire Gem is around 8 square feet of run space per bird. This ensures they have adequate room to roam, forage, and exhibit their natural behaviors, all contributing meaningfully to their overall well-being.
Chickens can stay in their coop for the entire day as long as they have everything they need, but it's essential to let them out for at least a couple of hours, if not the entire day. Use your discretion, but know that letting your chickens out leads to a happier, healthier flock.
Providing an environment that meets their requirements ensures a healthy and happy life for these unique and striking chickens while enjoying the numerous benefits of keeping them in your backyard coop.
Note: Surround the perimeter of your land with welded wire, otherwise known as hardware cloth. This is the best, safest option for your chickens to protect them from predators effectively.
Climate
The Sapphire Gem chicken adapts well to varying weather conditions, such as hot and cold climates.
They are incredibly resilient and hardy birds, thriving in sweltering heat and freezing temperatures. Their robust nature can be attributed to their outstanding genetic makeup, making them suitable for different environments. Their beautiful, iridescent feathers are eye-catching plumage and provide effective insulation against harsh weather.
Watching for frostbite or heat stress among your chickens is still important despite their resilience to hot and cold climates.
The signs of frostbite include changes in color to their tissue (particularly blackening of the comb), swelling, loss of appetite, or limping.
Meanwhile, signs that your chicken is experiencing heat stress in hot climates include heavy panting or holding their wings away from their body to cool itself off. Rather than the blackening of the comb, your chicken's comb may look pale. During hotter temperatures, put more water out so your chickens can stay hydrated and prevent heat stress from affecting your chickens.
So, whether you reside in a tropical paradise or a winter wonderland, rest assured that Sapphire Gem chickens will make a splendid addition to your flock.
Dust baths
Let's not forget about dust baths.
Chickens take dust baths to help with feather maintenance, keep themselves clean, and remove excess oils, preventing them from getting parasites, lice, or mites.
To encourage this behavior, make a chicken dust bath. This can be easily done by digging a hole and adding some dirt or sand, among other elements, to add more protection (here are some easy instructions to make a chicken dust bath).
If your chickens are resistant to dust baths, feel free to take the initiative and gently sprinkle some dirt over their feathers and shake it down their skin.
By following these guidelines, you will be well on your way to ensuring the proper care of your Sapphire Gem chickens, and they will reward you with their company and a plentiful supply of fresh eggs.
Socializing
Don’t forget to socialize with your chickens, as they thrive on human interaction and bonding, which helps to maintain their mental well-being.
Sapphire Gem chickens are friendly and get along with other breeds, so don't be afraid of mixing them in with your flock. You can spend at least ten minutes or more daily tending to your chickens, caring for them, and spending quality time.
Health
To thrive, Sapphire Gem chickens require a balanced, protein-filled diet with fresh water.
Food and water
Sapphire Gem chickens enjoy a balanced diet with high-quality poultry feed and nutritious supplements such as mealworms which are high in protein. They will also be happy to munch on grass (or some cherries here or there as a treat.)
And as with any animal, make sure to give them access to fresh water at all times. If you have the time, refresh the water twice a day.
Issues
Overall, Sapphire Gem chickens are very healthy and hardy. They have fewer health issues than other breeds, such as the Silkie chicken.
But besides the essentials such as food, water, and exercise, it's important to carry out regular health checks on Sapphire Gem chickens to monitor their physical condition, looking out for any signs of injury or illness.
On top of that, keep an eye out for lice, worms, and parasites, as Sapphire Gems are as susceptible to this as any other breed.
Lifespan
Sapphire Gem chickens usually live between five to ten years. Of course, this depends on how well you care for them and their overall quality of life.
So remember to give them everything they need: adequate space, time outside, a healthy balanced diet, and opportunities to socialize.
FAQ
Where can I buy Sapphire Gem Chickens?
Despite their popularity, Sapphire Gem chickens can be difficult to find for purchase. If you can find any Sapphire Gem chickens for sale at a local hatchery, they will be quite expensive.
Are Sapphire Gems good meat chickens?
No, Sapphire Gems chickens do not make for a good protein meal and are not typically used for this purpose. For one, they have beautiful plumage that is mesmerizing and that you won't get enough of. Secondly, they are excellent egg layers that produce a high quantity of large brown eggs, so you won't be doing yourself much of a service by using Sapphire Gem chickens for meat.
Are Sapphire Gem chickens friendly?
Sapphire Gem chickens have a well-deserved reputation for their friendly nature.
The distinctive beauty of their iridescent feathers and gentle and sociable personalities make them a favorite among poultry enthusiasts. Their curious nature and desire for interaction with their caretakers often lead to a close bond between the owner and the bird.
Furthermore, their docile demeanor, adaptability, and low aggression traits make them an excellent choice for families with children or those who want a peaceful backyard flock for companionship and egg production.
Overall, Sapphire Gem chickens certainly have much to offer regarding friendliness and a likable personality.
What color egg does a Sapphire Gem chicken lay?
The Sapphire Gem chicken breed lays large brown eggs. Meanwhile, the regular Sapphire chicken lays blue eggs.
It's important not to be confused between the blue eggs produced by Sapphire chickens and the large brown eggs of Sapphire Gem chickens.
How many eggs do Sapphire Gem chickens lay a year?
Sapphire Gem chickens are one of the most hearty egg layers out there, providing a steady supply of eggs year-round.
These chickens are said to lay approximately 280 large brown eggs in one year. That is impressive when you consider that each egg requires an incredible amount of effort from both the hen and her body.
To get the most egg production out of your Sapphire Gem chickens, owners must provide adequate nutrition and good conditions to produce quality eggs.
Final thoughts on the Sapphire Gem Chicken
Among chicken breeds, Sapphire Gem Chickens are a unique, hardy breed with lots of personality. As long as they’re properly cared for and given plenty of space to roam, these chickens can be a delightful addition to your homestead.
Undoubtedly, their beautiful sapphire-colored feathers will sparkle in any backyard or garden. Not only are they easy on the eyes, but a big draw is their impressive egg production. Keeping happy Sapphire Gem chickens is well worth the time and effort.
This fabulous fowl can make a rewarding family pet with proper care and love.
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