Like the Ideal 236, California Grays are a productive white egg layer that was originally developed at Ideal Poultry Breeding Farms, Inc. in the 1960s from White Leghorns, Brown Leghorns, Anconas, and Production Blacks for resistance to Marek's Disease. California Gray chicks are primarily black with white abdomens, chests and wingtips, and a white spot on top of the head. They have single combs and clean, yellow legs and feet. The feathers of adult California Grays are barred, black and white. They have a similar body to the Ideal 236 and are slightly larger than a typical White Leghorn.