What is the Best Breed of Chicken for Eggs for Backyard Flocks

If you're looking to add some egg-laying excitement to your backyard flock, you'll want to choose a breed that's known for its high egg production.

The Leghorn breed is a popular choice among backyard chicken keepers, laying an average of 280-300 large white eggs per year.

They're known for their high egg production and can start laying eggs as early as 18 weeks of age.

Marans and Barnevelder breeds are also great options, laying around 200-220 dark brown eggs per year.

These breeds are known for their rich, dark egg yolks, which are perfect for baking and cooking.

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The best egg-laying breeds are a topic of much debate, but some breeds stand out from the rest. The Jersey Giant, for example, lays very big eggs, but not as many as other breeds.

If you're looking for a breed that lays a high number of eggs, consider the Rhode Island Red, which lays between 280 to 300 eggs per year. The Golden Comet is another excellent choice, laying between 250 to 330 eggs per year.

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Some breeds are known for their large egg size, such as the Jersey Giant, New Hampshire, and Leghorn. These breeds may not lay as many eggs as others, but their eggs are certainly impressive in size.

Here are some of the top egg-laying breeds:

The Jersey Giant is a rare breed that lays very big eggs, but you'll get fewer eggs from them compared to other breeds.

The New Hampshire breed is known for laying impressively large eggs, and they're also big and prolific layers.

Leghorns are a classic breed that's known for laying consistently large eggs, making them a dependable choice for egg production.

The White Leghorn breed lays large white eggs almost every day, often around 300 per year, and they start laying earlier than many other breeds.

White Leghorns are a good choice if you have limited space since they're a smaller breed of chicken.

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Rhode Island Reds are large-sized birds that lay medium to large eggs, and they're dual-purpose birds, meaning they're used for both egg production and meat.

Australorps are a hardy breed that tolerates both hot weather and cold climates, and they lay large brown eggs in the range of 250 eggs per year.

Golden Comets are excellent egg layers, laying between 250 to 330 eggs per year, and their eggs are a dark, reddish brown color.

The Speckled Sussex breed lays up to 220 brown eggs per year, and they're calm and easy-going birds that are well suited for a family or pet setting.

Rhode Island Reds, Isa Browns, Leghorns, Red Star, Black Star, Red-Sex Link, Golden Comet, and Amberlinks are all breeds that have the potential to lay 300 eggs per year.

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The Araucana is a unique breed that originated in Chile in South America.

They're known for laying around 200 medium-sized eggs, which are a beautiful blue to bluish-green color.

Their eggs are a standout feature, and they're definitely a great choice for anyone looking for a breed that's a little out of the ordinary.

Araucanas are a pure breed, which means they're a distinct and recognizable type of chicken.

If you're new to keeping chickens, you'll want to choose breeds that are friendly and easy to handle.

For a good disposition, consider breeds like Amber Stars, Rhode Island Reds, White and Buff Orpingtons, and Red Stars.

These breeds are known for their good temperaments and are a great choice for beginners.

If you're looking for a high egg-laying breed, Leghorns are a good option, but they might not be as sociable as the other breeds mentioned.

Here are some breeds that are suitable for beginners:

Most heritage breed chickens will lay eggs for up to 5 or 6 years, which is a long time compared to hybrid breeds that typically lay for 2-3 years.

Heritage breeds are a great choice if you don't want to butcher and clear out your flock for broth every few years.

Hybrid breeds, on the other hand, will lay more eggs upfront, but you'll need to replace them more frequently.

If you're looking to start a backyard flock, heritage breeds will be fine, and they'll lay more eggs over time.

There is no one "best" breed of chicken for laying eggs, as it depends on several important factors.

These factors include the number of eggs the chicken can lay, the size of the eggs, the color of the eggs, the temperament of the chicken, and the ease of care.

Genetics play a huge role in determining how big a hen's egg will be, with some breeds naturally laying larger eggs than others.

A hen's age can also impact the size of her eggs, with older hens typically laying larger eggs than younger ones.

A good quality, balanced diet with lots of healthy protein is essential for hens to lay larger eggs.

You can buy egg-laying chickens from most farm stores during the spring. Make sure to check the climate and wait for a nice outdoor temperature before bringing them home.

Farm stores are a great place to start, and many people order their chicks to arrive in April, just like I do. Our last frost date is not until June 1st, so it's essential to plan ahead.

You can also purchase chicks online from reputable hatcheries like Murray McMurry, Hoover's Hatchery, and Cackle Hatchery. There are many other online options available.

Genetics play a huge role in determining how big a hen's egg will be, with some breeds bred specifically to lay larger eggs than others.

A hen's age can also impact the size of her eggs, with younger hens typically laying smaller eggs and older hens laying larger ones.

A good quality, balanced diet with lots of healthy protein is crucial for hens to lay larger eggs, and feeding them organic grains can be a great option.

Hens that receive proper nutrition are more likely to lay larger eggs, so make sure they're getting the nutrients they need to thrive.

If you live in a cold climate, you'll want to consider chicken breeds that can thrive in chilly temperatures. Buff Orpingtons, Brahmans, Barred Rocks, Salmon Favorelles, and Australorps are all good options.

These breeds are known for their hardiness and can lay well through the winter. They may not produce as many eggs as some other breeds, but they'll still give you a decent supply.

Here are some specific breeds to consider for large eggs in cold climates:

Keep in mind that the Chantecler is a heritage breed and may be harder to find than some other breeds. But if you're looking for a breed that can handle extreme cold and produce large eggs, they might be worth the search.

The Chantecler is a Canadian breed of chicken that was developed specifically for cold weather.

They are known as a very hardy breed that can handle extreme cold temperatures during the winter months. They don't do as well in hot climates, so if you live in a super cold region, this may be the breed for you!

Chantecler hens are good egg layers, producing around 250 eggs per year.

If you live in a cold climate, you'll want to choose chicken breeds that can thrive in the harsh winter conditions. Buff Orpingtons, with their excellent disposition, are a great choice for cold climates.

Brahmas are another breed that can handle the cold well. They're dual-purpose chickens, meaning they'll provide a decent source of meat as well as fresh eggs.

Barred Rocks are also a good option for cold climates, and they'll lay well throughout the winter.

Salmon Favorelles and Australorps are two more breeds that can handle the cold and will lay well, although they might not fill your egg basket as full as some other breeds.

Here are some cold climate backyard birds to consider:

If you live in a cold climate, you'll want chickens that can handle the harsh weather. The Chantecler breed is a great choice for cold weather, as they're known for being very hardy and can handle extreme cold temperatures.

Genetics play a huge role in determining egg size, and some breeds are bred specifically to lay larger eggs. Younger hens typically lay smaller eggs, but older hens lay larger ones.

A good quality, balanced diet with plenty of protein is essential for hens to lay larger eggs. Hens fed a diet with organic grains, like those from Azure Standard, are more likely to lay larger eggs.

Chantecler hens are good egg layers, producing around 250 eggs per year, although this may not be as many as some other breeds. Their eggs are reportedly very tasty, making them a great choice for backyard chicken owners.

If you want your hens to lay big eggs, make sure they're getting their nutritional needs met with adequate protein and a quality feed.