Are you dreaming of collecting fresh eggs from your own backyard every morning? Me too! That’s why I’ve spent countless hours researching the absolute best chicken breeds for egg production. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to expand your flock, this comprehensive guide will help you choose the perfect feathered friends that’ll keep your egg basket overflowing!
Why Choosing the Right Breed Matters
When I first started my chicken journey, I made the rookie mistake of picking chickens based solely on their looks Big mistake! Not all chickens are created equal when it comes to egg production Some breeds will give you 300+ eggs per year, while others might only produce once a week.
Plus, temperament matters A LOT. Trust me, you don’t want to be chasing chickens around the yard just to collect eggs or do health checks. After years of experience, I’ve learned that the perfect backyard chicken combines excellent egg production with a friendly personality.
Top Egg-Laying Chicken Breeds for Your Backyard
1. Australorp
Eggs per Year: 250-300 large brown eggs
The Australorp tops my list for very good reason! These beautiful black birds are egg-laying champions AND they’re some of the sweetest chickens you’ll ever meet. They’re docile, friendly, and perfect if you have kids who’ll be helping with chicken chores.
The only downside? They tend to go broody pretty often, especially in summer. This means they’ll sit on eggs trying to hatch them instead of laying new ones. Great if you want baby chicks, not so great if you’re after maximum egg production.
2. Plymouth Rock (Barred Rock)
Eggs per Year: 200-280 large brown eggs
When you picture a classic farm chicken, you’re probably thinking of the Barred Plymouth Rock with its distinctive black and white striped feathers. These chickens are AMAZING all-rounders!
My Plymouth Barred Rock, Happy, is the reason I fell in love with backyard chickens. She welcomes me to the coop every morning and is still laying like a champ at 2½ years old. These birds handle both hot and cold weather like champions, are super friendly, and make excellent mothers if you decide to hatch chicks.
3. Rhode Island Red
Eggs per Year: 250-300 brown eggs
Rhode Island Reds are some of the most popular chickens for a reason – they’re egg-laying machines! These reddish-brown birds are hardy, adaptable to different climates, and relatively healthy.
BUT (and this is a big but), while they’re excellent layers, they can sometimes be a bit bullish with other chickens and even people. If you’re after the friendliest birds, there might be better options on this list.
4. Sussex
Eggs per Year: 230-280 eggs
Sussex chickens are absolutely gorgeous birds that come in several color varieties. The Speckled Sussex with its mottled red, white, and black feathers is particularly stunning.
These birds are prolific layers AND super friendly. Just one warning – they’re chatty! Sussex are known for being quite vocal, so maybe not the best choice if you have neighbors who might complain about chicken noise.
5. Buff Orpington
Eggs per Year: 200-280 large brown eggs
Buff Orpingtons are affectionately called “the golden retrievers of the chicken world” – and for good reason! These fluffy golden birds are possibly the friendliest chicken breed out there.
They’re true lap chickens that enjoy being held and petted. While not the absolute top egg producers, they still lay plenty of large brown eggs and their sweet temperament makes them perfect for families with children.
6. Leghorn
Eggs per Year: 250-320 large white eggs
If pure egg production is your goal, Leghorns are tough to beat. These birds are the commercial industry standard for a reason – they lay A LOT of eggs!
The downside? They tend to be flighty and not particularly friendly. I’ve had Leghorns that would bolt if I even thought about picking them up! They’re also more prone to reproductive issues due to their intense laying capabilities.
7. Olive Egger
Eggs per Year: 200-260 olive green eggs
Want to add some color to your egg basket? Olive Eggers are fantastic! These birds lay beautiful olive-colored eggs that will make your breakfast table look Instagram-worthy.
My Sapphire Olive Egger, Opal, is both beautiful and consistent with her egg laying. She’s friendly and only went broody once, which wasn’t hard to break. These birds will definitely make your egg basket shine!
8. Dominique
Eggs per Year: 230-280 eggs
Dominiques are one of my absolute favorite heritage breeds. They’re sometimes confused with Barred Plymouth Rocks due to their similar appearance, but they have a distinctive rose comb.
Our Dominique, Dee Dee, used to follow me around the garden, chatting away in chicken talk while helping me hunt bugs. They’re incredibly friendly, excellent foragers, and super hardy in cold winters due to their rose combs and tiny wattles.
9. Wyandotte
Eggs per Year: 150-200 eggs
Wyandottes are perhaps the most beautiful chickens in existence, with their stunning laced feathers. The Silver Laced and Gold Laced varieties are particularly breathtaking.
While they don’t top the list for egg production, they still lay a respectable number of eggs. And their beauty and friendly temperament more than make up for it! Just be aware that some individual Wyandottes can be a bit sassy.
10. Easter Egger
Eggs per Year: 200-280 eggs
Easter Eggers are the surprise packages of the chicken world! Each hen lays eggs of a unique color, ranging from blue to green to pinkish-tan. It’s like Easter every day when you collect their eggs!
These birds aren’t a true breed but rather mixed-breed chickens with the blue-egg gene. They can be a bit flighty if not handled regularly as chicks, but with proper socialization, they make wonderful pets.
11. Delaware
Eggs per Year: 180-260 eggs
Delaware chickens are friendly, inquisitive, and docile birds that lay a good number of large brown eggs. They’re a heritage breed developed in the 1940s and are excellent dual-purpose birds if you’re interested in both eggs and meat.
These beautiful white birds with black barring on their necks and tails are also extremely cold hardy, making them perfect for regions with freezing winters.
12. Faverolles
Eggs per Year: 150-200 eggs
Faverolles might not be the most prolific layers on this list, but they more than make up for it with personality! These adorable chickens have beards, muffs, feathered feet, and the sweetest dispositions.
They almost look like little muppets waddling around your yard! They’ll happily eat from your hand and enjoy chicken cuddles, making them wonderful pets that also happen to lay eggs.
13. Marans
Eggs per Year: 225 dark brown eggs
Marans are famous for laying the darkest brown eggs of any chicken breed. These chocolate-colored eggs are absolutely stunning and will definitely impress your friends and family!
The French Black Copper Marans are particularly beautiful birds with iridescent black feathers and copper hackles. They’re winter-hardy and generally docile, making them a great addition to any flock.
14. Cream Legbar
Eggs per Year: 150-200 blue eggs
Want blue eggs? Cream Legbars are one of the few pure breeds that lay blue eggs consistently. These birds have a distinctive crest of feathers on their heads and beautiful coloring.
Another advantage is that they can be accurately sexed at hatching (which is rare for chickens), so there’s less chance of accidentally ending up with roosters if you only want hens.
15. Calico Princess
Eggs per Year: 290 brown eggs
Calico Princess chickens might not be as well-known as some other breeds, but they’re laying machines! With around 290 eggs per year, they’re some of the most productive birds on this list.
They have beautiful deep red feathers with light flecks and big, friendly personalities. They do well in both summer heat and cold winters, making them adaptable to most climates.
Breeds to Approach with Caution
While researching for this article, I found that many popular egg-laying lists include Rhode Island Reds, New Hampshire Reds, and White Leghorns. While these breeds are excellent layers, I’ve personally found them to be more aggressive and less friendly than the breeds listed above.
There’s also the matter of hybrid breeds like Isa Browns, Red Stars, and Black Stars. These birds are specifically bred for egg production and will lay an incredible number of eggs, but often at the cost of their health and longevity. In my experience, many hybrid birds don’t live past 4 years and can have reproductive issues from their bodies being pushed too hard.
Quick Tips for Maximum Egg Production
No matter which breed you choose, here are some tips to maximize egg production:
- Proper nutrition: Feed your hens a high-quality layer feed with at least 16% protein
- Fresh water: Always provide clean, fresh water
- Light: Chickens need 14-16 hours of light daily to lay consistently
- Regular collection: Collect eggs daily to encourage more laying
- Health checks: Keep your chickens healthy with regular parasite prevention and health checks
My Final Thoughts
After raising chickens for many years, I’ve learned that the “best” breed really depends on what you’re looking for. If absolute maximum egg production is your goal, Leghorns or hybrid breeds might be your answer. But if you want a balance of good egg production AND friendly chickens that make wonderful pets, I’d recommend Australorps, Plymouth Rocks, or Buff Orpingtons.
Remember, happy chickens lay more eggs! So choose breeds that match your climate, available space, and handling preferences. You’ll be rewarded with delicious fresh eggs and the joy of watching these fascinating birds explore your backyard.
Have you raised any of these breeds? Which ones are your favorites? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
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.
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.
Top 5 *BEST* Egg laying Chicken Breeds!
FAQ
Which chicken breed is best for eggs?
White Leghorns are prolific layers, often producing more than 300 eggs annually. They are hardy, efficient, and one of the best choices for high egg production. Their sleek white feathers and active personalities make them a lively addition to any flock.
What chickens lay 350 eggs a year?
As a result, several hybrid breeds are prolific egg-layers, averaging around 280 eggs per year. Among hybrid egg-layers, Isa Browns stand out as top producers, capable of laying up to 350 eggs per year.
What type of chicken eggs taste the best?
So the results were clear: For the best tasting eggs, go for pastured chickens. Barring those, choose whichever eggs have the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Where flavor is concerned, it doesn’t matter if the eggs are organic, cage free, or from a cage battery.
What breed of chicken lays eggs the fastest?
The fastest egg-laying chickens are hybrid breeds, with the Austra White starting as early as 12 weeks and producing 250-300 large white eggs annually. Other fast-laying hybrids include the Isa Brown and Golden Comet, both of which can start laying around 16 weeks and are consistent producers. Pure breeds like the White Leghorn also start laying early, around 16-18 weeks, and are excellent egg producers, averaging 280-320 eggs per year.