Raising backyard chickens is a delightful and rewarding experience. Your funny, feathered backyard friends will provide you with plenty of entertainment and fresh eggs all year. In turn, you’ll provide them with food, shelter, and protection. Collecting just a few fresh eggs every day is rewarding enough, but did you know that different breeds lay different amounts of eggs? To increase your daily egg count, we’ll discuss different breeds of chickens that lay different amounts of eggs and some of their qualities, and maybe it will help you choose the best egg layers to add to your backyard flock.
1. White Leghorn
Popular because of its very noticeable white feathers and red comb, the white leghorn is the most prolific egg-laying chicken breed. They are medium-sized birds that usually reach around 4 ½ to 5 pounds at maturity, and one hen can easily lay 300 eggs a year. Their eggs are among some of the largest laid by chickens, with the Minorca coming in first for laying the largest eggs. White leghorn hens are rarely broody, so if you want to hatch chicks, you’ll likely need an incubator. Leghorns produce many of the large, white eggs that you see in the store. They are usually well-tempered and are good with humans and other pets.
Extra Tip:
Having a RUN-CHICKEN Villa chicken coop is a game-changer, especially with the rising cost of eggs. If you’ve ever considered raising chickens, now is the perfect time—fresh, home-laid eggs not only taste better but also save money in the long run.
Why the RUN-CHICKEN Villa Makes Chicken-Keeping Easy:
- Cost Savings on Eggs – Store-bought eggs are getting more expensive, and with a few backyard hens, you can have a steady supply of fresh, organic eggs daily.
- Low Maintenance – The Villa comes equipped with an automatic coop door, meaning your chickens stay safe without needing to open or close the door manually.
- Perfect for Beginners – Designed for both new and experienced chicken keepers, the Villa is easy to set up and provides a comfortable and secure home for your flock.
- Built to Last – Made from durable materials, it protects your chickens from predators and harsh weather, ensuring they stay safe year-round.
- Eco-Friendly & Self-Sufficient – Raising your own chickens means knowing exactly where your food comes from, reducing reliance on store-bought eggs.
With the RUN-CHICKEN Villa, you can turn your backyard into a sustainable food source, enjoy healthier eggs, and experience the joy of raising chickens—without the hassle. It’s an investment that pays off quickly and makes chicken-keeping truly effortless!
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You can use this useful tool to determine which chicken breed is right for you.
2. Barred Plymouth Rock
The barred Plymouth rock chicken breed is a large breed of chicken, weighing 6 ½ to 8 pounds at maturity. These large, beautiful birds lay up to 280 eggs per year, ranking them second on our list of the top egg layers. Their eggs are dark brown and can be quite large. The hen’s eggs will grow larger as the hen ages. Though they are larger birds, they are pretty docile and do well with humans. They are also a good choice for families with kids or pets.
3. Rhode Island Red
The Rhode Island Red is a very popular chicken breed, distinguishable by its beautiful, chestnut-colored plumage. Rhode Island Reds are large-sized birds, with hens weighing 6 ½ to 7 pounds at maturity. They are sometimes known to have a bit of a temper, especially the roosters, but if the hens are handled daily, they usually are docile towards their owner. Their eggs are medium to large in size and brown in color. They were bred specifically to be dual-purpose birds–meaning they are prolific egg layers and are used as meat birds. They can lay anywhere from 280 to 300 eggs a year, putting them in our third spot for the best egg-laying chicken breed.
4. Speckled Sussex
The next egg-laying master on our list is the Speckled Sussex. Weighing about 6 pounds at maturity, these white-speckled, mahogany-colored beauties can lay 250 to 300 eggs a year. Their eggs are a creamy white to brown color and are medium-sized. They are known for being calm, easy-going birds that are well suited for a family or pet setting.
5. Golden Comet
Golden Comet chickens are excellent egg layers, laying between 250 to 330 eggs per year. They proudly flaunt a cinnamon-colored light to a medium-red set of feathers. Their eggs are a dark, reddish brown color and are large or extra-large. Being smaller birds with hens weighing anywhere between 4 to 7 pounds at full maturity, these little hens are known for laying extra large eggs. Golden Comet chickens are relaxed, docile birds who are rarely broody, meaning they don’t show much interest in hatching their own eggs. This makes collecting their big, brown eggs daily easier for you.
6. New Hampshire Red
New Hampshire Red hens can weigh 6 to 7 pounds and are heavyset, hard-bodied birds. They come from the Rhode Island Red chicken breed, and much like them, they can have bad tempers. Roosters and hens alike are known to fight among themselves, and roosters can be especially rowdy towards people and other pets. They also have prolific egg-laying abilities in common with Rhode Island Reds–they can lay up to 280 large, light brown eggs per year–and make great dual-purpose birds. Their feathers are lighter than Rhode Island Reds, and they have flecks of pale golden highlights.
7. Wyandottes
Wyandottes are next on our list. They are able to lay up to 200 large, brown eggs a year. They lay just as well in the winter as they do in other months because they prefer cold weather, which makes them great for giving you a steady supply of eggs. Adult hens weigh about 6 to 7 pounds, and they are among the heavier breeds of chickens. Their size and their dominant demeanor usually push them up toward the top of the pecking order. Wyandottes are pretty docile, but they are also very vocal birds. They are also raised for their unique, yellow-skinned meat.
8. Australorp
Coming in at number eight are Australian Black Orpingtons, or Australorps. These large chickens, with hens around 8 pounds and roosters nearing 10, are known for their striking black plumage, sometimes showing hints of purple or green. Bred for egg-laying, they can produce about 300 light brown, medium-sized eggs per year at a steady rate. Gentle and friendly, Australorps are great with kids and will curiously follow you around like puppies. Despite their size, they are one of the friendliest breeds. To keep them safe, a sturdy aluminum automatic chicken coop door from Run-Chicken is ideal, large enough for even the biggest roosters, it ensures your flock is secure while maintaining their freedom and comfort.
9. Ameraucana
Americaunas are a fairly-new American breed of chicken that comes in a wide variety of different colors, and their sizes also vary. Americauna chicken’s colors and features vary so much that almost no two chickens look alike. The Americauna can lay about 250 eggs per year. The most interesting thing about Americaunas is that they are one of only three species of chicken that lay light blue eggs, which are a beautiful sight to look at. Americauna chickens are mild-tempered birds that sometimes seem to be quieter and shyer than other breeds. They are great with all humans, children, and other chickens, as well as other pets.
10. Yellow Buff Orpingtons
The Yellow Buff Orpington is one of the most popular backyard chickens. These large, golden birds are fluffy, friendly, and mild-tempered, often following you around like a pet. Beyond their charm, Buff Orpingtons can lay 200–250 large brown eggs a year, making them one of the best egg-laying breeds. Every chicken breed is unique. Egg production can vary based on diet, stress, and space. Ensure hens have enough room and nesting boxes—happy, safe hens lay more eggs.
Safety is also important. Even larger breeds may need help at night. A sturdy automatic chicken coop door from Run-Chicken keeps your flock secure, closing at sunset and opening at sunrise, giving chickens time to roam while giving you peace of mind.
When raising backyard chickens for eggs, consider the breed’s hardiness, climate suitability, space needs, and temperament, especially if you have kids, pets, or other family members.
Choosing the right breed ensures you enjoy healthy, happy chickens and plenty of fresh eggs.
