An ultimate guide to the best egg laying breeds ranking chicken breeds by egg production

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.

Source: White Leghorn Chicken Breed Guide — Practical Self Reliance

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.

Source: Plymouth Rock Chicken For Sale 2025-2026 | Heritage Poultry Farm

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.

Source: Rhode Island Red · Chicken

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.

Source: Speckled

5. Golden Comet

Golden Comet chickens excel at laying eggs, producing 250 to 330 per year. They flaunt a cinnamon-colored to medium-red set of feathers. Their eggs have a dark, reddish-brown color and are large or extra-large. Hens weigh between 4 to 7 pounds at full maturity, and these smaller birds often lay extra-large eggs. Golden Comets are relaxed, docile birds and rarely go broody, so they show little interest in hatching eggs. This behavior makes collecting their big, brown eggs daily much easier for you.

Source: Golden Comet Chickens - Everything You Need to Know

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.

Source: New Hampshire Red Chicken Animal Facts - Gallus gallus domesticus - A-Z Animals

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.

Source: Silver-laced-wyandotte-chicken-on-green-grass-ee230315.jpg (1200×700)

8. Australorp

Coming in at number eight on our list are Australian Black Orpingtons, also known as Australorps. These are large chickens, with hens weighing around 8 pounds and roosters nearing 10. Australorps display beautiful black plumage that sometimes shows hints of purple or green in sunlight. Bred primarily for egg-laying, they provide about 300 eggs per year. Light brown, medium-sized eggs are produced at a steady rate, ensuring fresh eggs all year long. Friendly and gentle, Australorps are great with kids and won’t bother other pets. Curiously, they will often follow you around your yard, much like a playful puppy.

Though they are large, these gentle giants are one of the friendliest breeds of chickens. Since they are so friendly, you want to ensure they are protected with a sturdy aluminum automatic chicken coop door from Run-Chicken. These automatic chicken coop doors are large enough that even the giant Australorp roosters won’t have a problem using them. 

Source: Beste Legkippen: Welke Kippen Leggen De Meeste Eieren? - Kippen.be

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.

Source: Ameraucana Chicken Breed Guide — Practical Self Reliance

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.

Source: 10 BEST Chicken Breeds for Wisconsin (2023 Guide) - The Gardening Dad

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.