Are you considering starting your own backyard flock? One of the most rewarding aspects of keeping chickens is collecting fresh eggs from your own coop. But with so many breeds to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which chickens are the best egg layers for your needs.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore some of the top breeds renowned for their egg production, suitability for backyard environments, and other important considerations for backyard chickens.
Understanding Egg Production and Chicken Breeds
When it comes to egg production, not all chicken breeds are created equal. Some of the best chicken breeds are prolific layers, churning out eggs consistently throughout the year, while others may lay fewer eggs or take breaks during the colder months.
All chickens will take a little dip in the winter, when the temperature drops and the days get shorter chickens will moult. At this time they tend to stop laying. For some chicken breeds such as Australorp or Rhode Island Red this is just a short pause of a matter of a few weeks (depending on where you live). For other breeds, for example Selkies and Bantams this pause can last for months. Meaning no eggs for breakfast for much of the winter.
Some chicken breeds are better for meat production. And generally speaking meat birds tend to be poor layers.
Best Egg-Laying Breeds
1. Leghorns
Renowned for their prolific egg-laying abilities, White Leghorns are excellent layers of large white eggs. They are also known for being hardy and adaptable to various climates, making them a popular choice for backyard flocks. They can lay up to 280 – 300 eggs per year. This means roughly 5 or 6 per week through the summer, dropping to 1 or 2 as the weather gets cooler. And then a pause of a few weeks over the winter
2. Plymouth Rock
This dual-purpose breed is prized for its large brown eggs and friendly disposition. Plymouth Rocks are also cold-hardy, making them suitable for colder climates. These are really chilled and friendly chickens. Great if you have kids. They typically lay around 250 – 300 eggs per year. Which means around 5 or 6 per week through the summer with a drop to 1 or none per week during the cooler autumn and spring months. And a pause in the winter months.
3. Golden Comet
A hybrid breed known for its exceptional egg production and friendly temperament. Golden Comets are reliable layers of large brown eggs and are ideal for beginners and experienced chicken keepers alike. They typically lay around 250 – 300 eggs per year. Which means around 5 or 6 per week through the summer with a slow down in autumn, then stop in the winter, and a slow start in the spring to full summer laying.
4. Rhode Island Red chickens
Another dual-purpose breed, The Rhode Island Red is a prolific egg layer of large brown eggs. They are known for their hardiness and adaptability to different environments. They typically lay around 270 – 290 eggs per year. Which means around 5 or 6 per week through the summer with a gradual reduction down to a pause during the winter months.
5. Buff Orpington
These beautiful birds are not only great egg layers (250 – 280 per year), but they are also known for their gentle and docile nature, making them excellent pets for families. Buff Orpingtons lay large brown eggs and are well-suited to cold weather.
That’s my top 5 best layers, but there are plenty of great layers that could also be included on the list. Others to consider include easter eggers (with their blue eggs) and black stars.
Hybrid Breeds vs. Heritage Breeds
When choosing chicken breeds for egg production, you’ll encounter both hybrid and heritage breeds. Hybrid breeds, such as Golden Comets and Red Stars, are bred specifically for their egg-laying abilities and often outperform heritage breeds in terms of egg production. Hybrid chickens can be less prone to disease than pure heritage breeds.
However, heritage breeds, like Plymouth Rocks and Rhode Island Reds, do have other advantages such as hardiness, adaptability, and the ability to breed naturally.
Friendliness is an important characteristic to consider when raising a flock with children. Especially if both your chickens and children are free range like ours are.
And don’t forget that it matters that you like the look of your chickens. For me Silkies just don’t look enough like chickens plus they definitely don’t lay many eggs. They are fun, but not the best egg layers!
Tips for Success with Your Backyard Flock
Whether you choose hybrid or heritage breeds, there are several factors to consider to ensure a successful backyard flock:
– Provide a spacious and secure chicken coop with enough nesting boxes for your hens to lay eggs and ample roosting bars for them to rest well.
– Offer a balanced diet rich in nutrients to support optimal egg production.
– Allow your chickens to free-range whenever possible to encourage natural foraging behavior and to supplement their diet with goodies like worms that they find as they forage.
– Keep your coop clean and well-ventilated to prevent disease and promote overall health.
FAQ
What are the best egg laying chickens for beginners?
We have two wonderful Splash Plymouth Rocks, which is a hybrid Plymouth Rock chicken. They are wonderful birds. Docile and friendly, brilliant with the kids. Happy to be picked up for a cuddle. Very interested whenever we go outside they come running to see us. Love it when we dig in the garden as there might be worms and other tasty treats. And reliable layers, they have the shortest winter pause of any of our flock and reliably lay 5 to 6 eggs per week through the summer. I would definitely recommend these.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many excellent breeds of chickens to choose from when it comes to egg production. Whether you’re looking for prolific layers, cold-hardy breeds, or dual-purpose birds, there’s a perfect chicken breed out there for your backyard flock. By considering factors such as egg production, temperament, and climate suitability, you can select the best chickens to meet your needs and enjoy a bountiful supply of fresh eggs for years to come.
So why wait? Head to your local feed store, choose your favorite breeds, and embark on an exciting journey as a backyard chicken keeper today!