Egg-cellent Layers: Best Chicken Breeds For Eggs

NAVIGATION

Waking up to a coop full of fresh eggs is every chicken keeper’s dream. Choosing the best chickens for eggs can be the difference between a steady supply and having to endure long, seasonal gaps. But with so many options out there, deciding on just one breed is no easy task.

I’ve created this guide to help you cut through the noise and determine which high egg production chicken breed is right for you. So, get ready to say goodbye to store-bought eggs once and for all!

How To Pick A Chicken Breed

So, you’ve decided that you want the best chickens for eggs. That said, egg-laying chickens come in all different sizes, colors, and dispositions. To help you determine which breed is right for you, there are a few more factors to consider. I’ll break them down below.

Productivity Years

Chickens are typically the most productive in the first two years of life. While they may continue to lay eggs after the first two years, you’ll probably see a decline in frequency and quality. However, some breeds are productive well after two years, giving you a greater return on your investment.

Disposition

Many of the best high egg production chicken breeds are friendly, but that isn’t the case for all of them. If you have small children around or want a lower maintenance flock, opt for breeds with a friendly, sociable disposition.

Size

Both chickens and eggs come in all different sizes, ranging from extra small to extra large. You’ll have to determine how much space you have and whether or not it’d be better suited to large or small hens. And while chicken size doesn’t always correlate to egg size, you may have to decide if you want a greater number of small eggs or a smaller number of jumbo eggs.

Climate Adaptability

Some breeds tolerate heat and cold better than others, so if you’re in an area with extreme temperatures, you’ll want to pick a breed accordingly. That will ensure your hens remain healthy, and may even extend your egg production throughout the entire year.

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Best Chicken Breeds For Eggs

You can use this chart as a quick guide to the best egg laying chickens.

Breed	# Of Eggs (Annual)	Egg Size	Egg Color
Leghorn	280 – 300	Large – Extra Large	White
Golden Comet	280 – 300	Large	Brown
California White	260 – 300	Medium – Large	White
Australorp	220 – 250	Large	White
Speckled Sussex	200 – 250	Large	Brown
Barred Rock	200 – 250	Large	Brown
Holland	200 – 250	Medium – Large	White
Ancona	220	Large	White
Plymouth Rock	200 – 220	Medium	Brown
Wyandotte	200 – 220	Medium – Large	Brown
Rhode Island Red	200 – 220	Large	Brown
Delaware	180 – 280	Large – Extra Large	Brown
Orpingtons	180 – 240	Medium – Large	Brown
New Hampshire Reds	170 – 220	Large	Brown
Andalusian	160 – 200	Medium – Large	White
Welsummer	150 – 200	Large	Brown
Salmon Faverolles	150 – 200	Medium	Pink
Minorca	120 – 220	Large – Extra Large	White

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Best Chickens For Eggs

There’s a reason why eggs are considered a kitchen staple. They’re as nutritious as they are delicious, and they’re one of the easiest goods to sell. For now, I’m just going to focus on breeds that lay white or cream-colored eggs. But don’t worry, I’ll cover the best brown egg laying hens later on.

Leghorns

As one of the chickens that produce the most eggs, Leghorns lay eggs year round (even through the winter). One thing to note is that because Leghorns are flighty, easily stressed, and noisy, they’re best left to homesteaders with some experience under their belt.

• Egg Size – Large to extra large
• Eggs Per Year – 280 – 300
• Productivity Years – 3 – 4 years

California White

California Whites are one of the best backyard layers around. They’re also one of the best breeds for beginners, as they are docile and friendly toward humans. California Whites have a high tolerance for confined spaces, which makes them ideal for smaller, urban coops.

• Egg Size – Medium to large
• Eggs Per Year – 260 – 300
• Productivity Years – 2 – 3 years

Holland

Ideal for beginner and veteran chicken keepers alike, Hollands are a relatively healthy breed and are probably the most low-maintenance chickens I’ve had the pleasure of raising. Just make sure that they have plenty of space. Although affectionate and quiet, they don’t enjoy being confined.

• Egg Size – Medium to large
• Eggs Per Year – 200 – 250
• Productivity Years – 2 – 3 years

Ancona

If I had to sum up Anconas in one word, I’d have to choose prolific. They love to forage, do an excellent job of fending for themselves, and thrive in both warm and cold conditions. They tolerate humans well, but they aren’t particularly social and prefer free-range flocks.

• Egg Size – Large
• Eggs Per Year – 220
• Productivity Years – 2 – 4 years

Andalusian

One caveat to raising Andalusians is that they need space – and a lot of it. They’re a highly active breed and get aggressive if kept in close quarters. There is also one misconception I’d like to address. Despite having a reputation as a winter hardy bird, Andalusians have combs and wattles that are susceptible to frostbite.

• Egg Size – Medium to large
• Eggs Per Year – 160 – 200
• Productivity Years – 2 – 3 years

Minorca

While the number of eggs Minorcas lay isn’t the most impressive number on this list, the eggs are exceptionally large and tasty. The Minorca hens are very friendly and active but may be flighty. Although exceptionally heat tolerant, they don’t do well with harsh or prolonged winters.

• Egg Size – Large to extra large
• Eggs Per Year – 120 – 220
• Productivity Years − 2 – 3 years

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Best Brown Egg Laying Chickens

From breakfast to baked goods, brown eggs are a staple on my homestead. Though nearly identical to white eggs, brown eggs are often perceived as fresher and more nutritious. They tend to sell better as a result.

Australorp

Australorps are probably the best brown egg laying chickens around and are a crowd favorite at farmer’s markets. Australorps are one of the most versatile chickens as they have exceptional meat and are one of the friendliest breeds that I’ve ever raised.

• Egg Size – Large
• Eggs Per Year – 220 – 250
• Productivity Years – 2 – 5 years

Plymouth Rock

One of the most popular high egg production chicken breeds in America, Plymouth Rock hens have a sweet and calm disposition. Plymouth Rocks are most productive before the age of three, although some may continue to lay for up to ten years.

• Egg Size – Medium
• Eggs Per Year – 200 – 220
• Productivity Years – 2 – 3 years

Wyandotte

Wyandottes are an extremely friendly breed, with an easy-to-work-with disposition that makes them a great option for beginners. Wyandottes have more fat than other breeds – making them both delicious and winter-hardy.

• Egg Size – Medium to large
• Eggs Per Year – 200 – 220
• Productivity Years – 2 – 3 years

Rhode Island Red

If you’re looking for a jumbo egg laying chicken, you may want to consider getting Rhode Island Reds. Rhode Island Reds are known for frequently laying double-yolked eggs, which bring a bit of excitement to the kitchen.

• Egg Size – Large to extra large
• Eggs Per Year – 200 – 220
• Productivity Years – 2 – 3 years

Welsummer

Although Welsummers aren’t the most prolific egg layers, the eggs have a striking speckled pattern. They’re an extremely versatile breed and just as popular for their meat as their eggs. And thanks to their European origins, Welsummers thrive in both warm and cold environments.

• Egg Size – Large
• Eggs Per Year – 150 – 200
• Productivity Years – 2 – 4 years

Golden Comet

Golden Comet hens are extremely amiable and often prefer the company of humans over their fellow feathered friends. As a result, they tend to do better in smaller flocks, where they can get plenty of one-on-one attention.

• Egg Size – Large to extra large
• Eggs Per Year – 280 – 300
• Productivity Years – 1 – 2 years

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Best Chickens For Colorful Eggs

Imagine opening your fridge and seeing a veritable rainbow of freshly gathered eggs. I’ve touched on white and brown eggs, but that’s just the start. Eggs come in all different shades, ranging from soft pinks to deep greens.

And let me tell you, these eye-catching shells add a fun pop of color to a homestead. The best part is that these breeds also happen to be some of the most prolific egg layers available, so you don’t have to sacrifice quantity.

Easter Egger

Can’t decide on just one color? With Easter Eggers, you don’t have to choose. They lay eggs in a range of shades, including pink, blue, and green.

Olive Egger

As you can probably tell from the name, Olive Eggers lay deep olive eggs. This unique shade comes from alternating layers of brown and blue.

Legbar

Legbar eggs are celebrated for their gorgeous pastel shells. Individual Legbars will lay either light blue or light green eggs.

Araucana

Araucana eggs come in shades of blue, ranging from turquoise to blue-green. They also have a higher proportion of yolk, which makes them unique inside and out.

Ameraucana

A relative of the Araucanas, Ameraucanas are one of the most popular backyard farm breeds, due in no small part to their beautiful sky-blue eggs.

Best Egg-Laying Chickens For Cold Weather

Winter rolling in usually means a steady decline in egg production. Many hens – especially those with combs and wattles – can’t handle freezing temperatures. They usually stop laying as their priority shifts to survival rather than laying eggs.

Fortunately, some breeds are well-equipped to tackle the cold. They have unique adaptations that help ensure your coop remains productive year-round. Some of the best egg-laying chickens for cold weather include:

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What Is The Friendliest Egg-Laying Chicken?

If you’re stuck trying to decide between a pet and a working chicken, you’re in luck. Plenty of breeds strike the right balance between companionship and production. In addition to being some of the highest-producing egg layers, each one of these breeds has a calm and docile disposition.

They’re all easy to handle, enjoy interacting with humans, and make fantastic pets.

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Can Different Chicken Breeds Live Together?

I’ve covered a lot of high egg production chicken breeds so far, so it’s only natural to wonder if they can live together. The good news is that yes; lots of different chicken breeds get along with each other just fine. The not-so-good news is that you may have to take some precautions to ensure your mixed flock runs smoothly.

Different breeds have different temperaments, and this can lead to bullying – especially if the more aggressive breed is larger. To combat this, opt for breeds that have similar sizes and temperaments. You’ll also want to minimize competition whenever possible.

That means setting up multiple feeding and watering stations, providing enough nesting boxes (at least one for every three chickens), and giving your hens plenty of foraging space. And because boredom can exacerbate bullying, make sure they have access to enrichment through toys, perches, and a run.

Any hen can lay eggs, but high egg production chicken breeds offer a level of productivity that just can’t be beat. Many of these breeds were specifically developed for maximum production – providing not only quantity but quality. And by selecting these high-production breeds and providing the right environment, you can enjoy a steady supply of eggs year-round.

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Your turn!

• Have you ever raised chickens for eggs before? If so, how’d it go?
• Egg size, flavor, or temperament: which do you value most?

By Ryan Mitchell on January 7, 2025   /   Homesteading   /   Leave a comment

Tags: Animals, Chickens