Have you ever cracked open an egg so big it barely fit in your carton? I certainly have! When I first started keeping chickens, I was amazed at how some breeds consistently produced eggs that were significantly larger than others. If you’re looking to maximize your breakfast potential, you’re probably wondering: what chicken lays jumbo eggs?
Let me share what I’ve learned from experience and research about the biggest egg-laying champions in the chicken world,
What Makes an Egg “Jumbo” Sized?
Before diving into specific breeds it’s important to understand what actually qualifies as a jumbo egg. Contrary to popular belief egg classification isn’t based on how an egg looks, but rather its weight.
According to industry standards:
| Size Classification | Weight |
|---|---|
| Pee Wee | 1.25 oz |
| Small | 1.50 oz |
| Medium | 1.75 oz |
| Large | 2.00 oz |
| Extra Large | 2.25 oz |
| Jumbo | 2.50 oz |
So when we talk about jumbo eggs, we’re specifically looking for eggs weighing around 2.5 ounces or more. That might not sound like much difference from a large egg but trust me, when you’re making an omelet, you’ll notice!
Top 10 Chicken Breeds That Lay Jumbo or Extra-Large Eggs
1. Leghorn
The Leghorn is probably the most famous large egg layer, and for good reason. These efficient layers produce approximately 250-280 white eggs per year, and they’re frequently extra-large to jumbo sized. While they’re not known for having the friendliest personalities (they can be a bit standoffish), if you want consistent jumbo white eggs, Leghorns are hard to beat.
2. Minorca
When it comes to sheer egg size, many experienced chicken keepers swear by the Minorca. As one backyard chicken owner mentioned, “A good Minorca hen will lay an egg literally as big as your fist.” Minorcas are the largest of the Mediterranean breeds, sporting glossy black plumage, rich red faces, and white earlobes. They typically lay around 200 large white eggs annually and are more friendly than other Mediterranean breeds.
3. Black Copper Marans
Black Copper Marans are renowned for their extra-large to jumbo dark brown eggs. These beautiful eggs are so large they often won’t fit in standard large egg cartons! One owner reported that the lids wouldn’t close when trying to store these magnificent eggs. Plus, their deep chocolate brown color makes them especially desirable for farm stands.
4. Golden Comet
Golden Comets are hybrid chickens created by crossing Rhode Island Reds with White Leghorns. These remarkable birds lay approximately 250-300 dark brown eggs per year, often reaching extra-large to jumbo size. Despite being relatively small birds, they consistently produce eggs that can be astoundingly large. Many owners report needing special jumbo cartons for these eggs!
5. Barnevelder
The beautiful Barnevelder chicken breed lays between 150 to 200 dark brown eggs annually, frequently reaching jumbo size. They’re calm and friendly birds that make a wonderful addition to any flock. They are fairly active, though, so they do need adequate space to roam.
6. ISA Browns
ISA Browns, similar to Red Sex Links, lay eggs that often won’t even fit in extra-large cartons. Despite their relatively small size as chickens, these hens produce astonishingly large eggs almost daily. Owners often have to search for special jumbo cartons, and even then, the cardboard ones might not work (foam cartons tend to be more accommodating).
7. Jersey Giants
As their name suggests, Jersey Giants are large birds, and they lay eggs to match their size. While they don’t lay as prolifically as some other breeds on this list, the eggs they do produce are consistently large to jumbo in size.
8. Red Sex Links
Red Sex Links (also known as Red Stars, Golden Comets, Cinnamon Queens, etc.) are prolific layers of extra-large to jumbo brown eggs. They can lay between 250-300 eggs per year, making them not just producers of large eggs but lots of them too.
9. Welsummer
Welsummers are known for laying large to extra-large dark brown eggs. They’re consistent layers, producing between 200-250 eggs per year. You might recognize the Welsummer rooster as the famous Kellogg’s Cornflakes mascot!
10. Delaware
This breed is relatively rare but makes for wonderful pets with their calm, friendly, and curious nature. Delawares lay between 200-280 large to extra-large brown eggs annually. If you can find them, they’re an excellent choice for your flock.
Factors That Affect Egg Size
While choosing the right breed is crucial for getting jumbo eggs, several other factors can influence egg size:
Age of the Hen
Most hens start by laying smaller eggs and gradually increase to their mature egg size. By around 40 weeks of age, most modern breeds will be laying large, extra-large, or jumbo eggs. As one experienced chicken keeper noted, “Jumbo eggs generally come from hens that are 2+ years old.”
Diet and Nutrition
A hen’s body weight significantly impacts egg size. To maximize egg size, you want to ensure your hens are at their optimal weight and health.
- Protein levels: Higher protein levels (18-20%) in the first couple months of egg production can increase egg size. After 8-10 months, it’s better to reduce to 15-17% protein to prevent unnecessary weight gain.
- Feed quality: Ensuring hens have all necessary nutrients is essential for optimal egg production and size.
Light Exposure
Both natural and artificial light influence egg size by affecting when hens start laying eggs. Younger hens typically lay smaller eggs, so delayed egg production can result in larger initial eggs.
Skeletal Size
Hens with bigger bones tend to become bigger hens and lay bigger eggs. You can influence skeletal size by feeding a starter diet until 8-10 weeks of age instead of just 6 weeks.
Stress Factors
Any factor that limits feed consumption or causes stress can reduce egg size:
- Overcrowding
- Heat stress
- Inadequate water supply
- Predator concerns
How to Encourage Your Hens to Lay Larger Eggs
If you’ve already got your flock and want to maximize egg size, here are some practical tips:
- Boost protein intake during the first 8 weeks of egg laying with 18-20% protein layer feed
- Ensure adequate space to prevent crowding stress
- Provide plenty of clean water at all times
- Create a predator-safe environment so hens can forage and lay without stress
- Be patient as hens mature – egg size typically increases with age
Real Chicken Keepers’ Experiences
I’ve found that real-world experiences often provide the most valuable insights. Here’s what some backyard chicken keepers have shared about jumbo egg layers:
One owner of Black Copper Marans reported: “I’ve had quite a few eggs that would not fit in a Large egg carton. The lids won’t close and the egg barely fits in the cup of the carton!”
A keeper of ISA Browns and Red Sex Links noted: “Ours lay eggs that will not fit in a large carton, not even an extra large carton. We must have hard-to-find JUMBO cartons and even those, if they are the cardboard type often will not work. The foam is more forgiving.”
A Minorca enthusiast claimed: “A good Minorca hen will lay an egg literally as big as your fist.”
FAQ About Jumbo Egg Layers
Q: How do I get my chickens to lay bigger eggs?
A: Increase protein in their diet to 18-20% during the first 8 weeks of egg laying. Also, be patient – eggs get larger as hens age.
Q: Do jumbo eggs have double yolks?
A: While not guaranteed, jumbo eggs are more likely to contain double yolks, especially from young hens just starting to lay or older hens with irregular laying patterns.
Q: Which breeds lay the largest white eggs?
A: Leghorns and Minorcas are the champions of large white egg production.
Q: Which breeds lay the largest brown eggs?
A: Black Copper Marans, Red Sex Links, and Barnevelders are known for laying jumbo brown eggs.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to collect eggs that’ll make your breakfast skillet overflow, any of these top 10 breeds will serve you well. My personal favorites are the Golden Comets and Black Copper Marans – I’ve had cartons that simply wouldn’t close because the eggs were so massive!
Remember that while breed selection is important, proper nutrition, adequate space, stress reduction, and patience as your hens mature will all contribute to maximizing egg size.
Whether you’re showing off at the farmers market or just wanting to make jumbo-sized omelets, these breeds will help you achieve your “eggs-traordinary” goals! (Sorry, couldn’t resist a bad egg pun!)
Have you kept any of these jumbo egg-laying breeds? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
Efficient and Economical Egg Production
Investing in extra-large egg-laying chickens is a smart choice because of their excellent feed-to-egg ratio. You get more bang for your buck in egg production. Look at Red Sex Links, for instance. They are a popular chicken breed because of their prolific laying ability and feed efficiency. Their hardiness in all-weather environments makes them a manageable hybrid breed.
With extra-large egg-laying chickens, you will also need fewer chickens to meet your egg needs, saving you space and resources in the long run.
Chicken Breeds That Lay Extra Large Eggs
Extra-large egg layers are developed specifically for egg production. They lay eggs that are larger than average, often weighing 2.5 ounces or more. Bielefelders are the perfect example. These purebred brown egg layers produce up to 230 eggs annually. They are also dual-purpose birds. This means they don’t just typically lay large eggs. They also have large body sizes that provide a substantial amount of meat.
Our selection features many other dual-purpose birds, such as Black and White Jersey Giants, which are known to produce up to 280 large brown eggs per year.