Which Chicken Breeds Are The Best Egg Layers?  

Raising chickens is growing in popularity amongst homesteaders. Chickens are easy to raise, making them the perfect first livestock. You can have a small backyard or 30 acres far out in the country. The goal of raising chickens is the same for almost everyone. Chickens provide eggs, meat, and fertilizer.

All chickens lay eggs, but some chicken breeds are better egg layers than others breeds. If your goal is to gather a basket of eggs each day, you have to pick the right breeds. So, if you want fresh eggs all year long, you need to ask which chicken breeds are the best egg layers. Take a look at our top picks.

11 Best Egg Laying Chicken Breeds

Rhode Island Reds

Rhode Island Reds are native to America and are classified as a dual purpose chicken. That means you can raise Rhode Island Reds for either eggs or meat. You’ll find that many newbie start with this chicken breed because they lay a lot of eggs. This breed lays brown, medium-sized eggs. An average, young Rhode Island Red will lay around 250 eggs per year!

This breed takes care of itself. They are not docile, but you can expect the chickens to be friendly enough!

Sussex

Sussex chickens are another dual-purpose chicken that you can raise for eggs or meat. The Sussex breeds come in eight different colors, each laying a different color egg. A Sussex can lay 250 eggs per year easily.

The great thing about Sussex chickens is that they are very calm, making them an ideal choice to free range on your property. Taming this breed is easy.

Leghorns

Leghorns originated in Italy and came to the United States in the 1800s. Since their arrival, leghorns became a popular choice for chicken owners. Each chicken will lay around 250 white, medium-sized eggs.

You can easily identify leghorns. The body is entirely white with a large, thick, red comb. It is good to note that they tend to have a difficult personality. Most are shy and difficult to tame.

Ameraucana

Do you want to have fun colored eggs? If so, Ameraucana chickens are for you. The chickens lay eggs in a blue tint. You can expect 200 colored eggs each year.

Many people refer to Ameraucana chickens as the Easter Egg chicken because of the colored eggs. These chickens are easily tamed and make great pets. The chickens are rather small, only reaching a maximum of 6lbs at full size.

Barred Rock

Barred Rocks are unique looking chickens with a predominantly grey body and white stripes wrapping around their torso. New and experienced chicken keepers pick Barred Rock chickens because of their egg laying abilities and their personalities.

An average Barred Rock will lay 200 medium-sized, brown eggs. You can expect them to lay an egg every two days around the calendar. Barred Rocks do well with a free range lifestyle. Their personality allows them to be tamed easily, perfect for those who want to handle their chickens more.

Golden Laced Wyandottes

Wyandottes are beautiful chickens with unique feathers that stand out in your backyard. They are large sized birds that lay consistently throughout the year. The average annual egg production is 200 eggs.

Golden Laced Wyandottes are docile and fantastic foragers. Many people love these chickens for their free-ranging capabilities. If you want a broody hen, Wyandottes tend to go broody more often than other breeds.

Hamburg

Native to Germany, the Hamburg is an attractive chicken breed. The chicken looks like a Dalmatian with a white body and black feathers. Another color variation is black with gold tipped feathers.

Hamburg chickens lay around 200 chickens each year. Their eggs are small to medium-sized with a glossy, white shell.

Red and Black Sexlink

Sexlink chickens are crosses of different breeds. A Red Sexlink is a cross between Rhode Island Red Male and a White Rhode Island Female. The chicken is attractive, consistently laying around 240 eggs per year.

A Black Sexlink is a cross between a Barred Rock hen and a Rhode Island Red Rooster. These chickens are very docile, perfect for a backyard homesteader in the suburbs. These chickens also lay around 240 eggs per year. Both varieties lay typical, brown eggs.

Golden Comet

If you live in a cold region, Golden Comet chickens are cold-hardy, free-range birds. Golden Comets lay around 250 to 300 eggs per year that is brown in color.

Many people love Golden comet chickens because they tolerate other chickens well, make great pets and have an easy, calm disposition. Golden Comets tend not to go broody, which can be a pro and con, depending on your desires.

Australorp

Do you want friendly chickens? Australorps are one of the friendliest chickens you can have in your flock. They lay an average of 250 eggs per year.

Their feathers and color are gorgeous, allowing them to stand out in the flock. Overall, raising Australorps is great for beginners. However, it is important to note that Australorps aren’t so friendly to other chicken breeds. They want to be the bosses of the entire flock and may pick fights with other chickens.

Buff Orpington

Many people love raising Buff Orpingtons! They are a favorite chicken breed amongst backyard chicken keepers. The chickens originated in England years ago.

Buff Orpingtons don’t lay as many eggs as the other breeds, typically around 180 eggs per year. They tend to go broody more often in the summer months than other chicken breeds. Broody hens are desirable for many homesteaders, but if you don’t want a broody hen, avoid this breed.

Chickens always lay their best throughout their first year of life. With each year of life, the amount of eggs a chicken will lay steadily decreases. By five years old, the chicken will lay about half of what they did their first year of life. Avoid using a supplemental light throughout winter if you want your chicken to lay eggs in six to eight years still.