Are you thinking about starting your own backyard chicken adventure? If fresh eggs are your main goal (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love walking outside to collect breakfast?), then choosing the right chicken breeds is super important! As someone who’s spent years raising these feathered friends, I can tell you that not all chickens are created equal when it comes to egg production.
In this article I’ll share everything you need to know about finding the best egg-laying chickens for your situation. including the top breeds ranked by egg yield what to look for in productive layers. and how to keep your egg basket full year-round!
Understanding Egg Production Basics
Before we dive into specific breeds, let’s talk about what you can realistically expect from egg-laying chickens:
- Most laying hens produce between 120-350 eggs annually
- Peak egg production typically occurs in a hen’s first and second years
- Chickens usually start laying eggs between 16-24 weeks of age
- Most backyard chickens will lay eggs for 5-10 years, though production decreases with age
- Hens need about 12-16 hours of daylight to lay consistently
As my friend James (a seasoned poultry keeper) once told me, “It’s a natural cycle — they start slowly, peak, and then decline.” That’s just how chickens work!
Top Egg-Laying Chicken Breeds Ranked by Annual Production
Let’s look at the absolute champions of egg production. I’ve ranked these breeds by their annual egg yield so you can easily find the perfect match for your backyard flock:
Commercial Production Champions (250+ eggs annually)
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ISA Brown – 300-350 light brown eggs per year
- These production hybrids start laying around 22 weeks
- Developed specifically for commercial egg production
- Recognizable by their reddish-orange plumage
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Lohmann Brown – 290-320 brown eggs per year
- Start laying early (around 19 weeks)
- Cross between Rhode Island and White Rock breeds
- Exceptional fertility and hatchability of eggs
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Leghorn – 280-320 white eggs per year
- The classic white egg layer (the ones you see in grocery stores)
- Begin laying around 18 weeks old
- Lay consistently into their third or fourth year
- Better suited to free-range settings
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Sapphire Gem – 280-300 brown eggs per year
- Also known as Blue Plymouth Rock
- Start laying around 4-6 months old
- Cost-effective to maintain
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Golden Comet – 250-300 light brown eggs annually
- Begin laying as early as 16 weeks
- Quiet and don’t require much space
- Adaptable to various climates
Reliable Heritage Layers (200-250 eggs annually)
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Rhode Island Red – 250-300 brown eggs annually
- Dual-purpose breed (eggs and meat)
- Start laying around 18 weeks
- Hardy in most climates
- Friendly personality makes them great for beginners
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Sussex – 240-280 cream/light brown eggs annually
- Comes in eight recognized colors
- Dual-purpose breed with large eggs
- Easygoing temperament
- Adapt well to various environments
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Easter Egger – 200-280 colored eggs annually
- Lay blue, green, olive, pink, tan or cream eggs
- Not a standard breed but a hybrid
- Friendly and great for families
- Popular for their colorful eggs
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Australorp – 200-260 light brown eggs annually
- Start laying at 6-7 months
- Known for consistent production
- May decrease egg production after 4 years
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Hamburg – 200-250 white eggs annually
- Start laying at 4-5 months
- Well-adapted to cold weather
- Not typically broody
- Strong foraging skills
Best Egg-Laying Chickens for Beginners
If you’re new to chicken keeping, you’ll want breeds that are not only good layers but also easy to handle and hardy. Here are my top recommendations for beginners:
Plymouth Barred Rock
- Egg Production: 200-250 brown eggs annually
- Personality: Docile, friendly, easy to handle
- Climate Adaptability: Excellent in both hot and cold weather
- Why I Love Them: My Plymouth Barred Rock named Happy is the reason I fell in love with backyard chickens! She welcomes me to the coop and is super friendly.
Rhode Island Red
- Egg Production: 250-300 brown eggs annually
- Personality: Generally friendly, though can be assertive
- Climate Adaptability: Hardy in various climates
- Special Notes: Great dual-purpose breed
Buff Orpington
- Egg Production: Up to 280 large brown eggs per year
- Personality: Extremely docile and friendly
- Climate Adaptability: Cold-hardy
- Special Notes: Often called the “golden retriever of chickens” for their friendly nature
Sussex
- Egg Production: 240-280 cream/light brown eggs annually
- Personality: Calm and friendly
- Climate Adaptability: Adaptable to most environments
- Special Notes: Good foragers, help keep your yard free of pests
Easter Egger
- Egg Production: 200-280 colored eggs annually
- Personality: Friendly and curious
- Climate Adaptability: Adaptable to various climates
- Special Notes: Colorful eggs make them popular with children
Hybrid vs. Heritage Breeds – What’s the Difference?
When shopping for egg-laying chickens, you’ll often see breeds labeled as either “hybrid” or “heritage.” Here’s what that means for egg production:
Benefits of Hybrid Chickens
- Higher egg production (often 250+ eggs annually)
- Earlier maturation and egg-laying
- Consistent egg size and quality
- Better adaptability to various conditions
- Examples: ISA Brown, Golden Comet, Red Sex Link
Benefits of Heritage Chickens
- Better genetic diversity
- Generally hardier and more disease-resistant
- Longer lifespan with sustained (though lower) egg production
- More diverse egg colors and sizes
- Examples: Rhode Island Red, Australorp, Plymouth Rock
My Personal Favorites for Eggs and Personality
After years of trial and error with my own backyard flock, I’ve found some breeds that offer the perfect balance of egg production and friendly personalities:
Plymouth Barred Rock
These are probably my absolute favorites! They’re well-rounded birds that do great in heat and cold, are super easy to handle, and lay large brown eggs (about 200-250 per year). My chicken Happy is 2½ years old and still laying like a champ!
Marans
My French Black-Copper Marans (Big Betsy) lays beautiful dark brown eggs – about 225 per year. She’s winter-hardy and very docile. The chocolate-colored eggs are gorgeous in the egg basket!
Sapphire Olive Egger
My girl Opal lays beautiful olive green eggs (about 250-260 annually) and has a friendly disposition. She went broody once but wasn’t hard to break. The olive eggs make my egg basket look amazing!
Calico Princess
I didn’t know much about this breed until I brought home Myrtle and Millie. They have big personalities, are super friendly to people and flock mates, and feature gorgeous deep red feathers with light flecks. These girls are laying machines – around 290 brown eggs per year! A happy surprise breed for me.
How to Keep Egg Production High
No matter which breed you choose, these tips will help maximize your egg production:
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Provide comfortable nesting boxes – Each hen needs a secure, comfortable place to lay
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Maintain optimal health – Regular check-ups and deworming keep production high
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Ensure balanced nutrition – Use quality layer feed with adequate protein and calcium
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Keep stress levels low – Minimize predator concerns and coop changes
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Implement proper lighting – Hens need 14+ hours of light for optimal production
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Maintain adequate hydration – Fresh, clean water is essential for egg production
I learned this the hard way when my egg production dropped dramatically. Turns out my coop was too close to a busy street, causing stress for my hens. After moving to a calmer location, my laying breeds started thriving again!
Frequently Asked Questions
What chicken lays the most eggs per year?
The ISA Brown is considered the champion egg layer, producing 300-350 eggs annually. These production hybrids were specifically developed for commercial egg laying.
Can chickens really lay two eggs in one day?
While rare, breeds like Ancona and Wyandotte occasionally can lay two eggs in a day due to their genetics. However, this is uncommon as it typically takes 24-26 hours to form an egg.
What are the best egg layers for beginners?
Rhode Island Reds, Plymouth Rocks, Sussex, Buff Orpingtons, and Easter Eggers combine good egg production with friendly temperaments, making them ideal for new chicken keepers.
Do chickens lay eggs all year round?
Most chickens slow or stop laying during winter when daylight hours decrease, and during their annual molt. Some breeds are more consistent year-round than others.
Final Thoughts
When selecting the best egg-laying chickens for your backyard, consider not just egg production numbers but also temperament, climate adaptability, and whether you want colorful eggs or just lots of them!
My encouragement is to find breeds that work best with your situation, setup, and family. We have 13 different breeds in our backyard! They all do very well together, and I can’t imagine not having any of them. Raising chickens is super fun and rewarding, and diversifying your flock and egg color will totally depend on your personal goals.
Remember that all chickens, even the best layers, will eventually slow down in production. But if you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself loving these feathered friends for much more than just their eggs!
Rhode Island Reds
Rhode Island Reds are among the most popular breeds for eggs and meat. They lay about 200-300 eggs annually and are known for their resilience and strong laying capabilities. Their deep red feathers and robust build make them a standout breed for those seeking egg production and a sturdy bird.
A cross between the Australorp and White Leghorn, Austra Whites are excellent layers, producing approximately 250-280 eggs per year. They combine the hardiness of the Australorp with the high egg production of the Leghorn. This hybrid breed benefits from the best traits of both parent breeds, resulting in a resilient and productive hen.
Why do some Chicken Breeds Lay More than Others?
Several factors can influence the number of eggs a chicken lays, but one of the most significant is breeding. Chickens are bred for different purposes, and selective breeding has led to breeds that excel in specific areas.
- Egg Production: Breeds specifically bred for egg production tend to lay more eggs consistently. These chickens have been selectively bred over generations to enhance their egg-laying capabilities. This selective breeding focuses on traits such as early maturity, frequency of laying, and longevity of productive years.
- Meat Production: Some breeds are bred primarily for their meat rather than their egg-laying abilities. These breeds, often referred to as broilers, generally lay fewer eggs. The focus here is on rapid growth, large body size, and meat quality rather than the quantity of eggs produced.
- Dual-Purpose: There are also dual-purpose breeds that are good for meat and egg production. While they may not lay as many eggs as specialized egg-laying breeds, they still provide a reliable number of eggs. These breeds are ideal for small farms and homesteads where both meat and eggs are desired from the same flock.