Several chicken breeds have been selected cultivated through time to provide certain traits, similar to how dogs, cats, and some other farm animals have evolved over time. They say this means different chicken breeds are more incredible at specific tasks than the other animals. You can choose a chicken breed to suit your needs; either you’re searching for an egg-laying breed that can produce almost an egg per day on average over a year or one that will produce pastel blue eggs.
The struggle does not end with picking the perfect breed. To increase this chicken’s chances of being prolific producers, your chickens must be healthy as well as stress-free in their environment. Many such breeds are among the best for people who only want to get eggs from their backyard chickens.
If you’re searching for chicken breeds that produce many eggs, you’ve come to the right place! The following is a compilation of the top chicken breeds for egg production.
Best Chicken Breeds for Laying Eggs
1) Hybrid
Many diverse hybrid breeds exist, with the Golden Comet being the most well-known. Hybrid chickens have also been bred to produce massive loads of eggs while only eating minimal amounts of food. In comparison to other breeds, they are less expensive to feed. According to the breeder’s guidelines, each hybrid chicken can lay approximately 280 eggs each year. Those eggs will be harvested approximately medium in size and brown in color.
Gold-brown in appearance with soft to the touch white tail feathers are often described as “hybrid.” They have a reputation for being tough and strong hens, and they seldom get broody at all. Choosing Hybrid chickens is an excellent choice if you are searching for an egg layer that can be raised all year round and is simple to manage.
2) Rhode Island Red
These chickens, classified as Rhode Island Reds, are native to the United States and are used for both egg and meat production. Depending on your preferences, you may thus raise them for eggs or meat. The Rhode Island Red is a favored backyard chicken breed by its toughness and prolific egg production.
In general, you may estimate a young Rhode Island Red to produce 250 eggs every year. They are brown in color and medium in size. However, despite their name, Rhode Island Reds really have a darkish look due to their brownish and black feathering.
They are self-sufficient and well-known for their toughness speaks much about them. A typical choice for first-time chicken breeders is the Rhode Island hen, which is known for its friendliness.
3) Leghorn
The iconic television program Foghorn Leghorn gave children of the 1950s and 1960s a visual representation of what a Leghorn seems similar to. After being introduced to the United States from Italy in the 1800s, leghorn chickens eventually became the ideal backyard chicken. It is expected that they will produce roughly 250 eggs each year. You should expect the eggs to be whitish and medium in size. In terms of breeds, they are one of a kind, with a whitish body and a huge, thick red comb that distinguishes them. Leghorns are still a good choice for beginners, but anybody trying to tame their hens should avoid choosing them since they are renowned for being timid and challenging to tame.
4) Sussex
While not as common as the Rhode Island Red in terms of egg production, the Sussex is suitable for both egg production and meat production in the same flock. A Sussex hen may easily produce 250 eggs each year, which is good for her size. In terms of colors, the eggs may range from brown to creamy white. You can find all eight colors in one breed. The most popular is a white body with a black neck and tail feathers. Their tranquil nature allows them to freely roam about in a garden without causing any damage to the environment! Your best bet would be to go for the Sussex, a friendly breed that would happily eat out of your hand!
5) Hamburg
The Hamburg, sometimes written Hamburgh, is a breed of chicken that originated in Germany and is considered among the most appealing chicken in the world. Each year, they will produce approximately 200 eggs. A lustrous whitish shell is typical for these small to medium-sized eggs. These birds have white feathers with black feathers, which bring to mind the coat of a Dalmatian.
Additionally, Hamburgs may be seen in a black and gold-tipped feathered form. Chicken coops don’t work well for hamburgs since they require a lot of room to run around and roam. Compared to free-range chickens, they have a reputation for being aggressive in limited areas.
6) Plymouth Rock
This breed of chicken, also known as the Barred Rock, is an excellent choice for a first-time chicken owner who is searching for an egg-laying hen that lays around every two days. Approximately 200 eggs should be produced by an average Plymouth Rock each year. Depending on the size of the egg, these chicken eggs will range from small to medium in size. Gray color dominates their appearance, which is accented by white stripes along their body. Plymouth hens are significantly more adapted to a free-range existence than other birds despite their size. They are relatively amiable birds, similar to the Sussex, and readily tamed.
7) Marans
Known for their brilliant dark-brownish eggs and terrific meal quality, Marans are another kind of dual-purpose chicken. They are raised for both egg and meat production. A Maran lays approximately 200 eggs in a single year. Dark brown in color and medium in size, these eggs are stunning. They look like Plymouth Rocks and are typically dark grey with white fluttering feathers. It is unnecessary to give Marans a lot of freedom to wander since they are very docile hens. Although they’re docile and friendly, they don’t have the temperament to be petted.
8) Ancona
Although it originated in Italy, the Ancona chicken is now more often seen in Great Britain and the United States. An average of 200 eggs will be laid annually by this variety. The eggs produce as small white ones. Besides its smaller size, it has many of the characteristics of the well-known Plymouth Rock in terms of feather appearance. For this, it is not recommended that Anconas be kept as pets. In order to keep it safe, it will require to have its feathers often clipped since it is renowned for pen-flying proclivity.
9) Easter Eggers
As a hybrid breed, Easter Eggers deserve recognition on their own. As the famed blue egg layers, you can rely on these brightly colored chickens to provide you with an abundant supply. Each Easter, Egger will provide you with around 250 eggs every year. From medium to large in size, they’re all available. There are a variety of colors available, from greenish-blues to light blues, depending on the breed. The colors are perfect for spring decorating!
There are several color variants among Easter Eggers. In general, their feathers are brown with specks of different colors. Due to their hawk-like demeanor, they are a popular choice for free-range poultry. Also notable about Easter Eggs is that they have distinctive beards that frequently differ in color from their bodies. Easter Eggers have a character for being a more gregarious bird than other species. To put it another way, they have a wide range of temperamental characteristics.
They seem to be a wary breed, preferring to keep a safe distance between themselves and other humans. As a result, they have developed an excellent ability to avoid being caught by predators.
10) Buff Orpington Chicken
From Kent, England, come these hens that are ideal for the backyard poultry aficionado. Every year, approximately 180 eggs are laid by Orpingtons. They produce fewer eggs than some of the other breeds on this ranking because they are more likely to become broody in the warmer months. These magnificent golden-yellow birds have a thick coating of feathers covering them and are a stunning sight.
It is one of the most docile breeds you can purchase, and they make a wonderful garden companion. Buff Orpingtons are a perfect option for those looking for an easygoing pet. In a short period of time, you may teach them to feed on your hand and interact with you in a friendly manner.
11) Barnevelder Chicken
In order to produce the Barnevelder breed, breeders crossed the Dutch Landrace with an Asian Jungle Fowl species. It is a native of Holland, and its lustrous feathers distinguish it. Approximately 200 eggs may be laid annually by this bird. Its eggs may range in size from small to medium in size as well as its color is a light speckled brown. This chicken is primarily black in color with brownish tips on its feathers. It is a superb garden fowl that is best suited to a garden enclosure than a free-range environment. There’s no necessity to be concerned with clipping its feathers since it isn’t a good flyer chicken.
12) Minorca Chickens
In the case of the Minorca, it’s not simply the quantity that counts, but quality as well. It lays something beyond satisfactory 200 eggs each year or one egg per two days. However, they are exceptionally sizable (Large), and it has a lovely whitish color, making them a desirable breed. To top it off, owners will like the Minorca’s outgoing nature and willingness to please.
13) Lohmann Brown Chicken
A highly famous breed, the Lohmann Brown is particularly renowned in Africa, where it is common. Breeders in Germany bred this strain, which can produce up to 280 large, brownish eggs annually. Also regarded as amiable, they are suitable for cohabitation with other animals as well as being close to young children.
14) Welsummer Chicken
It is a multi-purpose chicken known as the Welsummer. It is laying 180 eggs every year on average and has the prowess in foraging; this breed is best when kept in captivity or the free-range environment. It’s also worth noting that the hen’s eggs are a stunning darkish chocolate-brown coloration with even deeper speckles. If you’re looking for a hen that can thrive in both hot and cold environments, then this is the breed for you!
15) Penedesenca Chicken
When it comes to being vigilant and even careful, the Penedesenca is a great bird to watch. Even though it will not be as affectionate as so many other pet breeds, it will constantly approach you after giving it such patient and consistent attention. Aside from that, it will produce approximately 200 eggs every year, which will be a magnificent natural darkish red-brown shade when laid.
16) Penedesenca Chicken
When it comes to being vigilant and even careful, the Penedesenca is a great bird to watch. Even though it will not be as affectionate as so many other pet breeds, it will constantly approach you after giving it such patient and consistent attention. Aside from that, it will produce approximately 200 eggs every year, which will be a magnificent natural darkish red-brown shade when laid.
17) Delawares
Though it used to be well-known, Delaware has declined in recent years. This breed used to be popular among commercial chicken farmers, especially in the broiler industry, but hybrids replaced it and slowly fell out of favor. However, people have begun to recognize Delaware as a unique and resourceful bird in recent years. Every week, it will lay four jumbo-sized brown eggs and estimate 200 eggs every year.
Every week, it will lay four jumbo-sized brown eggs and estimate 200 eggs every year. The Delaware chicken is a superb choice for both egg and meat production. It is a stunning heritage hen that is friendly and attentive, loves being handled, and even enjoys being petted.
18) Faverolles Chicken
It is acknowledged that the Faverolles is a French historical heritage breed. You may expect to get around 200 eggs each year in terms of egg production. Observing them is a lot of pleasure since they have beards, muffs, and feathered feet!
In the United States, Salmon Faverolles are the most common, with a honey-brown plumage. This chicken is sociable and curious, making them an excellent choice for a home environment.
19) Euskal Oiloas Chicken
Some people may not have ever known of this particular kind of chicken before. Their name is the Basque hen, and they are still considered an uncommon species in nature today. The animal is native to the Basque area of Spain. Since it lives in a scrubby and sparsely settled environment, the Basque hen makes an excellent forager. For the most part, the Marraduna hen is the most popular kind of hen. They are fantastic egg producers, laying 4-5 brown eggs a week and estimating between 180-220 eggs every year. It is the perfect chicken for your household awaits!
How to Increase the Number of Eggs Produced by Your Chickens?
Even if there isn’t a secret formula, you can feed your hens that will help them produce more than one egg per day. You can follow several important recommendations to ensure that you obtain one egg per day from your preferred breed.
High-Quality Feed
Even though your hens can forage for food on their own, you need to provide them with additional food sources. If you want to feed your chicken pellets or mash, you may include fresh fruit, mealworms, veggies, and other delights in your diet. High calcium content in their food is also necessary since the stress of producing eggs puts pressure on the hen’s health. As a last resort, you may grind up extra oyster shells and add them to the chicken’s usual diet to supplement its calcium intake.
Breath of Clean, Pure Air
It is more stress-free and healthier for hens to lay eggs if they have exposure to fresh air, sunlight, foraging grounds, and enough room to roam around.
Nesting Boxes
Nest boxes are required for every fourth egg-laying bird, on average. These boxes must be placed in a dark location that provides some seclusion, and then it should elevate them a few inches from the ground. Ensure your hens have a safe and pleasant place to lay their eggs by cleaning and securing their nest boxes.
Make a Provision for a Nest Egg
To recapitulate, placing a nest egg in the nesting box directs your hens to the suitable laying place and assures that it is a suitable place. Use a golf ball or purchase a phony egg to train your hen. Chicken There should not be sleeping in nest boxes; they should only utilize them to lay eggs. Focus on providing roosting spaces for your birds so they do not have to rest in the nesting box, which will discourage them from laying eggs in it.
Get Rid Of The Mites
Mites are pretty common, and you may not even be aware that you have trouble until it is too late. Keep in mind that you should monitor your hens every night for mites to ensure that they are not infested. It is, without a doubt, feasible to get treatment of mites with the help of proper medication from your veterinarian. Nonetheless, preventive is always preferable in this situation.
Make Way For Daylight
During the winter months, many hens will cease laying, and they can tell the time by the shorter hours of daylight. You can get your chickens to lay year-round if you give them artificial light that resembles sunshine.
Ensure the Safety of the Coop
The safety of the Coop is also crucial. After investing a great deal of money and effort in raising these magnificent birds, you must ensure that they are protected from predators at all costs! In order to get to your flock, animals like squirrels, raccoons, and others may be able to dig tunnels beneath the fence and get in. Chicken coops should be made of wire to keep the birds secure. Make a habit of checking the area surrounding the Coop on a regular basis.
