What is the Best Breed of Chicken for Eggs?
For backyard chicken keepers, one of the main goals is to have a steady supply of delicious, fresh eggs While all hens lay eggs, some breeds are more prolific layers than others If you’re looking to maximize your egg harvest, consider one of these top egg-laying chicken breeds.
The LeghornFrequency 3
The Leghorn is a breed that originated in Italy and is known for its stellar egg production. These chickens start laying early, around 18-20 weeks old, and will keep laying around 280-320 eggs per year. The eggs are large and white.
Leghorns are active foragers and do well free-ranging They have a reputation for being flighty, so they may not be the best choice for cuddly pets But if you prioritize egg yield over temperament, Leghorns are a great option.
The Rhode Island Red
Frequency: 3
Another dual-purpose breed, the Rhode Island Red excels at both meat and egg production. These birds start laying between 16-20 weeks old and will produce 250-300 brown eggs annually.
Rhode Island Reds have an easy-going personality and adapt well to confinement or free-ranging. They are cold-hardy and lay through the winter months. Their dual functionality makes them a versatile addition to a backyard flock.
The Plymouth Rock
Frequency: 2
The Plymouth Rock is an all-American breed known for its dependable egg laying. Starting around 20 weeks old, a single Plymouth Rock hen will produce 200-280 large brown eggs per year.
This breed is docile and friendly, doing well in confined or free-range settings. They tolerate winter cold well. Plymouth Rocks also make a good meat bird, so they can pull double duty in your flock.
The Australorp
Frequency: 2
Australorps are gentle giants known for consistent egg production. Originating from Australia, these chickens start laying later, around 22-24 weeks. But once they start, they are steady layers producing up to 250 light brown eggs their first year.
Despite their large size, Australorps are a calm breed that enjoys human interaction. They are also cold hardy and heat tolerant. For such a big bird, they are surprisingly adept flyers.
The Marans
Frequency: 2
Marans are French heritage chickens prized for their dark chocolate-colored eggs. They start laying around 28 weeks and will produce 150-200 eggs their first year. As a heritage breed, Marans are long-lived and can continue laying for 5-8 years.
These birds have a gentle nature but tend to be shy around humans. Marans do well when free-ranged and thrive in cold weather. Their stunning egg color and productive laying make them a special addition to any flock.
The Ameraucana
Frequency: 2
Ameraucanas are known for their vibrant blue eggs. They start laying at around 20 weeks and can produce up to 250 light blue or green eggs annually. Despite their productivity, they aren’t prone to broodiness.
This breed does well in all climates and enjoys free-ranging. Ameraucanas can be timid but warm up to gentle handling. Their colorful eggs make a fun conversation piece for any chicken owner.
The Production Red
Frequency: 1
The Production Red is a sex-link hybrid bred specifically for optimum egg production. These vigorous birds start laying as early as 16-18 weeks old and will produce 300+ large to extra large brown eggs a year.
Production Reds are active foragers that do best free-ranging. They are flighty and nervous by nature. For pure egg-laying power, Production Reds are hard to beat.
The Golden Comet
Frequency: 2
The Golden Comet is another sex-link hybrid that excels at egg production. With their reddish-brown plumage, these chickens look as productive as they are.
Golden Comets start laying early at 16-20 weeks old and will produce up to 300 eggs per year. They have a friendly personality and adapt well to confinement or free-ranging. For plentiful eggs from an easy-going hen, the Golden Comet is a super choice.
The Black Star
Frequency: 1
Black Stars are sex-link chickens made by crossing a Barred Plymouth Rock hen and a Rhode Island Red rooster. The result is a super laying hen that produces up to 280 brown eggs a year.
This hybrid is renowned for early maturity, starting to lay at around 16-18 weeks. Black Stars have a calm temperament and are cold hardy. For quick egg production year-round, Black Stars deliver.
When selecting a breed for your flock, keep your climate, space constraints, and temperament preferences in mind. Hybrids offer unbeatable egg production but can be flighty. Heritage breeds start slower but will lay steadily for years. Focus on health and diet to maximize the genetic potential of any breed.
By choosing from productive breeds like Leghorns, Rhode Island Reds, Plymouth Rocks, Australorps, and Ameraucanas, you are sure to get a bountiful harvest. Pair that with fresh air, free-ranging, and proper care, and your hens will thank you with ample cartons of farm-fresh eggs.
Spanish (White-Faced Black Spanish)
Chickens arent native to North America; theyre domesticated fowl from Asia. The Spanish chicken was one of the first to be imported to the U.S., where it appeared in poultry shows as far back as the 1850s. In addition to its reputation as a good egg layer, the combination of its black body and white face makes this a strikingly beautiful bird.
The Sussex chicken is another British breed. The Sussex can do it all—its a meat bird, an egg layer, and a fun bird for poultry shows. Its a rare breed and not necessarily for beginners, but in some cases, Sussex hens can produce 250 eggs every year.
The Chantecler was developed in Canada in the early 1900s with the specific purpose of creating a hardy breed that would perform well in the countrys northern climate5. It is a docile chicken that is a good layer. The Chantecler possesses small combs and wattles, which make it well suited to colder climates.
The Brahma is a large but gentle breed, weighing about 10 pounds or more. Brahmas are good egg layers, and a little unique in their ability to continue laying eggs regularly even in the winter months when many other breeds either stop laying or lay at a reduced rate.
With so many amazing breeds to choose from, getting started with chickens is definitely an egg-citing endeavor! Enjoy those eggs!
- Hotaling, Ana. Hobby Farms. “Poultry Profiles: Get to Know the Leghorn Chicken Breed.” https://www.hobbyfarms.com/leghorn-chicken-breed-facts/
- The Happy Chicken Coop. “Rhode Island Red: What to Know Before Buying One.” https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/rhode-island-red/
- Oklahoma State University. “Poultry Breeds – Australorp Chickens.” http://afs.okstate.edu/breeds/poultry/chickens/australorp
- Arcuri, Lauren. The Spruce. “Orpington (Buff Orpington).” https://www.thespruce.com/chicken-breeds-orpington-or-buff-orpington-3016551
- The Livestock Conservancy. “Chantecler Chicken.”http://www.livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/chantecler
Rhode Island Red
A gentle breed that produces large brown eggs, the Rhode Island Red (named for the state, which was influential to the breeds development) is one of the United States biggest contributions to chicken keeping. Its a popular breed for a good reason—these are attractive birds that are terrific layers. Like the Leghorn, youll find industrial and heritage varieties of the breed, with the industrial birds more effective as egg producers and the heritage breed more of a dual-purpose breed.2 (“Dual-purpose” means the breed can be utilized for both meat and egg production).
Back when it was very common for the average family to raise chickens, the large Plymouth Rock breed was among the most popular in the United States. It was popular because this dual-purpose bird is easy to care for and gentle to work with. Add in the fact that Plymouth Rock hens will produce about four eggs a week (200 per year), and you have a winning combination.
In addition to their status as a top egg-layer (one record-setting hen once laid an astonishing 364 eggs in a single year!), Australorps feature black and green, iridescent feathers and produce brown eggs.3 Its no surprise that this Australian breed has a large fan base.
Red Star chickens (also known as Red Sex-Links because the sex of the chicks can be easily determined after hatching) are a hybrid variety of chicken, created by crossing two specific breeds. Theyre fantastic egg producers, capable of laying 300 eggs a year.
The Orpington is quick to mature, friendly, easy to raise, and produces over 200 eggs a year. Whats not to like about them? Developed in Britain, the Orpington is most well-known for the buff coloring, although they do come in other, less common colors. The Orpington is also popular as a show chicken.4
Top 5 *BEST* Egg laying Chicken Breeds!
FAQ
Which is the best chicken for laying eggs?
White Leghorn: Often considered the best egg layers, White Leghorns can produce around 280-300 eggs per year. They are active foragers and are known for their efficiency. Rhode Island Red: This hardy breed is known for its good egg production, averaging about 250-300 eggs per year.
What chicken lays 350 eggs a year?
The ISA Brown chicken breed is known for laying the most eggs, with some individuals reaching 350 eggs per year. These hybrid chickens are popular for backyard farming due to their high egg production and docile nature.
What type of chicken gives the most eggs?
- Leghorn. Any discussion of the best egg-producing chickens must include the Leghorn. …
- Rhode Island Red. …
- Plymouth Rock. …
- Australorp. …
- Red Star. …
- Orpington. …
- Spanish (White-Faced Black Spanish) …
- Sussex.
Which chicken is best for egg farming?
Pearl-White Leghorn — The white leghorn is one of the best layers out there. They lay large white eggs and have a great feed-to-egg conversion ratio, which is great for the feed bill!