The Ultimate Guide: The 11 Best Chickens for Eggs

Ah, the joys of raising chickens! Nothing quite compares to the feeling of collecting fresh eggs from your feathered friends every morning. But how do you choose the 11 best chickens for eggs? Fear not, dear reader, for we have prepared the ultimate guide to help you find the best egg-laying chickens for your backyard or for your small farm. In this egg-stravaganza, we’ll explore the top egg-laying chicken breeds, unique egg colors, dual-purpose breeds, and tips for raising chickens for optimal egg production.
Key Takeaways
The best egg-laying chickens are Rhode Island Reds, Leghorns & Plymouth Rocks!
Add some color to your egg layer basket with Ameraucana and Easter Egger chickens!
Get dual-purpose chicken breeds (eggs & meat) with Orpingtons, Speckled Sussex & Wyandottes.
Best Egg-Laying Chickens (Breeds)

In your quest to find the best egg-laying chickens, (also called laying hens) assessing a breed’s egg production capabilities is vital. After all, you don’t want your egg basket to be empty, do you?
We present you five egg-laying chickens champions!
Rhode Island Red
Leghorn
Australorp
Plymouth Rock
Sussex
Each of these breeds represents the best in the egg-laying chickens category and has been carefully selected for their ability to lay eggs like there’s no tomorrow, ensuring a bountiful harvest for you and your family.
Without further ado, let’s discover these egg-cellent breeds!
Rhode Island Red
The Rhode Island Red is a true egg-laying superstar, renowned for:
laying up to 300 lovely light brown fresh eggs per year
being hardy and perfect for backyard flocks
being easy to care for
boasting an impressive feed-to-egg ratio.
However, this heritage breed can sometimes get a bit sassy towards smaller-sized chickens, so it’s best not to mix them with less assertive egg layers breeds like Wyandottes and Orpingtons. Just give these Rhode Island Reds tons of room to roam and strut their feathers, and they’ll thrive in both free-range and penned environments.

Leghorn
Meet the Leghorn, a heritage breed and efficient egg-laying chickens that produce up to 280 large white eggs per year. However, these Italian beauties may not be suitable for beginners, as they tend to be jittery and skittish around humans.
That being said, if you’re up for the challenge and can handle their flighty nature, Leghorns are certainly a solid choice for egg production. Just remember to approach them with caution and a bit of finesse.
Australorp
If you’re new to the poultry game, look no further than the heritage breed Australorp. These beginner-friendly, docile chickens are not only cold-hardy but also lay around 250 eggs a year and are great for meat production as well.
With Australorps, you’re getting a true two-for-one deal: a top-notch egg-laying machine and a delicious meat provider. Talk about a win-win situation!
Plymouth Rock

The Plymouth Rock is another heritage breed and quite the looker, with its large and beautiful appearance. They’re low maintenance, laying 4-5 light brown eggs every week for a cool 2-3 years.
If you’re looking for an egg-laying companion that’s both majestic and productive, the Plymouth Rock is the breed for you. With these beauties in your backyard, you’ll never run out of fresh eggs for your morning omelets.
Sussex
Last but not least, let’s talk about Sussex chickens. These docile and reliable layers can produce more than 250 large, brown eggs per year, starting from 16-20 weeks old. With their laid-back attitude, Sussex chickens are perfect for those seeking a dependable egg-laying breed.
Just be sure to provide them with plenty of love and care, and they’ll reward you with a steady supply of delicious eggs.
Best Chickens for Unique Egg Colors

Now that we’ve covered the top egg-laying chicken breeds, let’s add some color to our egg basket! Some chicken breeds produce eggs with unique colors, making your morning egg collection even more exciting.
We present you three breeds known for laying eggs in a variety of eye-catching colors: Ameraucana, Easter Egger, and Marans. Prepare to make your egg basket a true work of art!
Ameraucana
Ameraucana chickens are known for their stunning egg colors, but don’t expect a rainbow of shades from just one chicken. Each Ameraucana will lay eggs in only one color, such as blue or green, throughout its life.
These beautiful birds also make a great egg layer, laying an average of 3-4 eggs per week, making them a delightful addition to any backyard flock seeking a touch of color in their egg production.
Easter Egger
Easter Eggers are popular hybrid chickens that lay 4 medium-sized eggs per week in a range of colors, including:
Blue
Green
Olive
Pink
These unique egg colors make Easter Eggers a favorite among backyard chicken keepers who want to add some pizzazz to their egg baskets.
Just remember that each Easter Egger will only lay one color of egg throughout its life, so you won’t find a single chicken laying eggs in multiple hues.
Marans
For those who prefer a touch of luxury in their eggbasket, look no further than the Marans breed. Known for their dark chocolate brown eggs, some Marans varieties even lay eggs with a speckled appearance. These French beauties not only provide a unique and sophisticated egg color but are also renowned for their docile and friendly nature, making them a great addition to any flock.
Marans are a great choice for those looking for a unique egg color and a friendly bird.
Dual-Purpose Chicken Breeds

What if you’re looking for the best chicken breeds that can do more than just lay eggs? Enter the dual-purpose chicken breed! These versatile birds are suitable for both egg-laying and meat production, offering you the best of both worlds.
Let’s learn about three of the best chicken breeds for dual-purpose use: Orpington, Speckled Sussex, and Wyandotte. Each chicken breed has its unique capabilities, and their potential value to your backyard farm is worth exploring.
Orpington
Gentle, friendly, and cold-resistant, Orpingtons are well-rounded chickens that lay up to 280 eggs per year and are also suitable for meat production. These lovable birds are perfect for backyard chicken keepers seeking a breed that can provide both eggs and meat.
Their soft, fluffy feathers and calm demeanor make them a joy to have around, while their egg-laying and meat-production capabilities ensure they’re a valuable addition to any flock.
Speckled Sussex
Speckled Sussex chickens are not only reliable layers but can also be raised for meat. However, they may go broody during spring, which can affect their egg production. Chickens lay eggs consistently, but factors like broodiness can influence their output.
Despite this seasonal moodiness, Speckled Sussex chickens are a great dual-purpose breed to consider for your backyard farm, offering both eggs and meat to suit your needs.
Wyandotte
Last but not least, let’s discuss Wyandottes, cold weather egg layers that lay 3-4 large cream and brown eggs per week. Their hardiness and adaptability make them an excellent choice for those living in colder climates.
As a dual-purpose breed, Wyandottes can also be used for meat, offering a well-rounded addition to any backyard flock.
Raising Chickens for Optimal Egg Production

Now that we’ve covered the best chicken breeds for egg-laying and unique egg colors, let’s discuss how to raise chickens for optimal egg production.
A successful backyard flock requires proper feeding and nutrition, coop design and space requirements, and health and disease prevention. We’ll share valuable insights to help you keep your chickens happy, healthy, and laying eggs.
Feeding and Nutrition
Feeding your chickens a balanced diet is essential for nutritious eggs. A good diet should include grit, organic chicken feed, oyster shells, kelp, and a variety of bugs, fruits, and veggies.
The essentials for a healthy diet for your chickens include:
Grit, which helps with digestion
Organic chicken feed offers the essential fats and proteins that your chickens need for egg production.
Oyster shell, which provides essential calcium for strong eggshells
Kelp, which offers a range of vitamins and minerals
A varied diet of bugs, fruits, and veggies ensures your chickens get all the nutrients they need for healthy egg production. Think black soldier fly larvae, watermelons in the summer, weeds from the garden, and scrap veggies from the dinner table.
We have found that free-ranging our chickens for even a few hours allows them to eat termites, worms, and insects and keeps them laying eggs well into the winter, and gives us amazingly delicious eggs with dark yolks.
Chicken Coop Design and Space Requirements
A Chicken coop design should provide adequate space, ventilation, and protection from predators. The general rule of thumb is to provide at least 10 square feet per chicken, and the coop should be well-ventilated to reduce the risk of respiratory ailments.
The area around the coop should be fenced off, with the fence being at least 4 feet high and buried at least 6 inches into the ground to keep predators at bay.
Health and Disease Prevention
Lastly, regular health checks, vaccinations, and proper sanitation practices are crucial for preventing diseases and ensuring a healthy, productive flock. Some common ailments that can affect chickens include coccidiosis, Marek’s disease, and avian influenza.
By taking the necessary precautions and providing your backyard chickens with a clean, safe environment, you can enjoy the rewards of a thriving backyard flock and a bountiful supply of delicious eggs.
Summary
In conclusion, finding the best chickens for eggs involves selecting breeds that excel in egg production, such as Rhode Island Red, Leghorn, Australorp, Plymouth Rock, and Sussex. For those seeking unique egg colors, breeds like Ameraucana, Easter Egger, and Marans can add a splash of vibrancy to your egg basket. Dual-purpose breeds like Orpington, Speckled Sussex, and Wyandotte offer both egg-laying and meat-production capabilities. Remember to provide your chickens with proper feeding, nutrition, coop design, and health management to ensure a productive and happy flock. With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to a thriving backyard farm and an egg-ceptional egg harvest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest chicken to raise for eggs?
For new chicken owners, the Rhode Island Red, Barred Rocks, Orpingtons, Plymouth Rocks and Easter Eggers are some of the easiest to raise for eggs, as they all have friendly temperaments, don’t require much maintenance, and lay lots of eggs!
What chicken lays 350 eggs a year?
If you’re looking for a chicken to lay up to 350 eggs per year, you can’t go wrong with an ISA Brown! This hybrid breed is the result of multiple crosses, and with regular care will deliver almost one egg each day of the year.
What chickens lay the healthiest eggs?
For the healthiest eggs, you can’t go wrong with Ameraucana chickens that lay beautiful blue-green eggs. These hybrid birds have a unique character inherited from wild birds, and they are best fed with a layer pellet containing fatty acids like fish meal or canola for optimum nutrition.
Which chicken breed is best for beginners?
For beginner chicken owners, Australorps are an ideal breed – they’re docile, friendly, and don’t mind the cold!
How do I ensure my chickens lay nutritious eggs?
For nutrition-packed eggs, make sure to give your chickens a balanced diet with a variety of ingredients like grit, chicken feed, oyster shell, kelp, bugs, fruits, and veggies – everything they need to stay healthy and happy!