I’m sure you’ll agree with me when I say that I want to raise the best egg laying chickens. I want them to be good-tempered, healthy and prolific layers.
You may also be like me in that I’ve tried quite a few breeds over the years that have fallen short of my expectations of the best egg laying chickens. Thankfully, I’ve found two breeds (both listed below) that meet all of my wants and needs. They’re docile, sweet, good foragers, beautiful and lay more than enough eggs!
My two breeds of choice are the Orpingtons and Australorps. While you know as well as I do that it’s hard to stick to just 1-2 breeds, that’s what I’m currently raising and I am thrilled with them.
Below are 7 of the best egg laying chickens, in no particular order.
Rhode Island Red (200-300 eggs per year)
History: The Rhode Island Red was developed as a dual-purpose bird by poultry farmers of the New England area. However, in the 1940s following the War, the breed was refined to produce more eggs. It became the Rhode Island state bird in 1954. In honor of the breed, two statues have been erected near where the breed was developed.
The Rhode Island Red was accepted to the American Poultry Association in 1904. The Rhode Island Red is considered to be ‘American class – large fowl, clean legged’ by the American Poultry Associate. It was accepted to the APA in 1904 and the British Poultry Standard in 1909.
Size: Rhode Island Red roosters are approximately 8.5 lbs. with hens reaching 6.5 lbs.
Egg Production: A healthy, well-bred hen can lay 200-300 eggs each year in ideal conditions. Some report their egg laying at 150-250 eggs. In general, a Rhode Island hen will lay 5-6 large, light-brown eggs per week.
Health and Temperament: Rhode Island Reds are excitable, curious and friendly, but they’re also known for being moody, pushy and dominant. Rhode Island Red roosters need to be handled properly to reduce their tendency to be aggressive.
They are active foragers and like lots of exercise. Rhode Island Reds are renowned for their hardiness. They are usually a very healthy and active breed.
See Pictures of Rhode Island Red
Leghorn (280-320 eggs per year)
History: The Leghorn is arguably at the top of the list of the best egg laying chickens. Once called Italians, the exact origins of this Tuscany region bred chicken is unknown. The Leghorn first arrived in the United States in 1828. The ship carrying them docked in Mystic Harbor, Connecticut. The Leghorn was refined and won the New York Show in 1868 before being exported to the UK in 1870. They returned to the US in 1910.
Size: According to the British standard, fully grown Leghorn cocks weigh about 7.5 lbs. and hens weigh 5-6 lbs.
Egg Production: The Leghorn hen will lay anywhere from 280-320 eggs per year. This equates to 4+ large eggs per week. They are a breed that is said to lay well into their third or fourth year too.
Health and Temperament: The Leghorn is an intelligent and resourceful bird. They are active bird that likes to forage. They are good flyers too and will roost in trees if allowed. Generally, they’re a noisier and higher-strung chicken and not ideal for an urban backyard.
The Leghorn is an active and robust hen and has no common health issues to speak of.
Black Australorp (250-320+ eggs per year)
History: The Australorp chickens is an Australian black Orpington. The breed is a mix of the Orpington and larger breed chickens.
In the early 1900s, William Cook’s Orpingtons were imported to Australia with the intention of creating a good dual purpose bird suitable for the Australian climate, but the Australian poultry breeders of the 1920s wanted a good utility bird with the emphasis on egg production.
Cook’s Orpingtons were crossed with Rhode Island Reds, Minorcas, white Leghorn, Langshan and possibly also Plymouth Rocks. The result was the Australorp.
They have sense been known for their prolific egg laying ability.
According to the Livestock Conservancy, “In 1902, during Australia’s winter season, the Hawkesbury Agricultural College held a six-month egg-laying contest between various breeds of chickens. With 41 pens in all, Black Orpingtons took seven of the thirteen top placements. This was the first of many egg-laying contests in which Australian-bred Orpingtons would compete. By 1922-23 “Australian Laying Orpingtons” were setting records. At Geelong, Victoria, a pen of six “Australorp” hens set a world record by laying 1857 eggs in 365 days – an average of 309.5 eggs each. At the Grafton contest in 1923-24 an Australorp hen laid 347 eggs in 365 days. Soon after a hen of the Burns bloodline broke the world record, laying 354 eggs in twelve months. Another hen set a new world record when she laid an amazing 364 eggs in 365 days!”
Size: These are classified as heavy birds, with Roosters weighing between 8.5-10lbs. and hens between 6.5-8lbs.
Egg Production: Australorps will give you an average of 250 eggs per year. Individuals may lay more or less, depending on their breeding.
Health and Temperament: Australorps are excellent foragers. They are a calm yet active breed and need plenty of exercise.
They are a typically shy, calm and quiet breed. They will easily warm up to you and follow you around the yard if you feed them treats regularly.
This is a robust and healthy heritage breed. Australoprs from good lines are very healthy birds.
Wyandotte (200-220 eggs per year)
History: The Wyandotte is a beautifully marked heritage bird. They are a result of four different breeders setting out to create an American dual-purpose bird in the late 1800s.
It was named after the Wyandotte Indian Nation to honor the help and aid they gave to the first white settlers of the area.
Size: The Wyandotte is a large, heavy bird. The roosters weigh around 8-9lbs. while the hens will weigh in at around 6-7 lbs.
Egg Production: The Wyandotte lays roughly 4 medium-large brown eggs every week.
Health and Temperament: Wyandotte have been described as robust in appearance and robust in health. They do well in warmer climates but are better suited for colder climates. There are no specific health concerns noted for this breed.
They are well-suited for small backyard flocks. They are dependable layers (though a little noisy), are docile, non-aggressive birds, but not as personable as other breeds.
Orpington (200-280 eggs per year)
History: In 1886 William Cook, who lived in the Kentish town of Orpington, in England, unveiled his new black Orpington breed. The next color he revealed was the Buff which was and is the most popular color of the Orpington chickens.
The Orpington quickly became an extremely popular breed and within ten years was being exported to other countries, including the US.
Size: Orpingtons weight between 7 – 8.5 lbs. when fully grown.
Egg Production: Orpingtons lay around 200-280 large brown eggs every year.
Health and Temperament: All Orpingtons are said to be docile, friendly and cuddly, but this is especially true of the buff. They are very calm and stately.
Their feathering makes them very cold hardy. They can tolerate warmer climates but need to have access to shade. High temperatures are not well tolerated by Orpingtons so they need ways to keep cool during extreme heat.
They can be heavy feeders with a tendency towards putting on too much weight – this needs to be monitored.
Plymouth Rock (200-220 eggs per year)
History: The Plymouth Rock (most common is the Barred Rock) is one of Americas’ oldest breeds. It was developed in the middle of the 19th century and was first exhibited in Boston, Massachusetts as a breed in 1849.
It was the hen that was seen from coast to coast before the end of World War 2 and it became the nation’s main source of chicken meat and eggs.
Size: A standard sized hen will weigh about 7.5 lbs., with roosters up to 9.5 lbs.
Egg Production: They average around 200 large brown eggs per year which is roughly 4 eggs per week.
Health and Temperament: Barred Rocks are mellow birds. They are known for getting along with other chickens and being mild-mannered. They generally get along with everyone. People describe them (even the roosters) as sweet, calm and docile.
They prefer to free range and forage for their own food.
Plymouth Rocks are a healthy, sturdy breed. They aren’t bothered by any breed-related ailments. They have a good genetic pool and so they are usually healthy.
Their good health and mellow temperament make them a good choice for 4H projects too.
See Pictures of Plymouth Rocks
Welsummer (160-250 eggs per year)
History: For some odd these beautiful birds aren’t as popular as the rest of the best egg laying chickens. It’s a shame because they have many outstanding attributes.
The Welsummer has only been in existence a little less than 100 years. It was created around the village of Welsum near Deventer, Netherlands as a dual-purpose bird.
It was debuted in 1921 at the Hagues’ World Poultry Congress. It was an instant hit with the Dutch and other European poultry enthusiasts. Early specimens made their way back to England in 1927 and from there they were eventually exported to the US around 1928.
Size: The hen weighs in around 6lb and the rooster at around 7lb.
Egg Production: There is quite a variation in reported egg production numbers. They are said to lay anywhere from 160-250 eggs per year.
Health and Temperament: The Welsummer is a very intelligent bird. They are also calm, friendly and docile. They also love to forage.
Welsummers are usually robust and healthy with no unusual health concerns or issues.
Getting the Most Out of the Best Egg Layings
There are a lot of factors that contribute to how often the best egg laying chickens will lay eggs. The biggest factors are the quality of the bird and its genetics.
Here are a few more ways you can ensure that the best egg laying chickens lay lots of big, nutritious eggs!
- Quality Feed
Quality feed is a must. If you can, feed an organic feed from a reputable source. Adding kitchen scraps to their diet will help add fresh, unprocessed nutrients. Lots of space for foraging is also ideal so that your chickens can find bugs and eat greens.
- Clean Nests Boxes
Clean nesting box area with comfortable bedding will help encourage laying and reduce stress.
- Open Areas
Free-range chickens are happier and are more comfortable. These factors help them produce more healthy eggs. While free-range chickens might not be a possibility for some urban homesteaders, try to give your chickens as much room to run around as you can.
- Calcium
Egg-laying takes a lot of calcium from a hen’s body, especially from the best egg laying chickens because of how many more eggs they produce. Be sure to provide them enough calcium in their diet to keep them laying a steady flow of eggs. Oyster shells are a great source of calcium. You can also crush egg shells that you save from cooking, and add them into their feed.
- Coop Security
Make sure your chickens’ coop is secure from predators. The stress of being hunted will stop chickens from laying or slow them way down.
- Fresh Water
Chickens need constant access to clean water. Adding Apple Cider Vinegar to their water is also a good health boost.
- Parasite Control
Parasites can get out of control very quickly. Mites and lice are especially difficult to control and eliminate. Check your chickens often.
There you have it! The 7 best egg laying chickens and 7 tips for helping them lay an abundance of eggs! Comment below and tell me what your favorite chicken breed is and how you like to help them lay regularly!