Top Five Chicken Breeds For Egg Production | Best Egg Layers With Great Attitude! 

Looking for hens for great egg production? Here are our recommendations for the hens to add to your flock. Let us know your thoughts.

I heartily agree about the Barred Plymouth Rocks being great chickens. Friendly, good layer good attitude and curious as cats. I’m a backyard “chicken tender”with five hens. Fun to interact with and a fairly quiet bird. Mine don’t sing the hen laying song. I’m so happy that these are the hens I chose.

Hi guys! Well you know I love the Isa Browns, that’s what we have and we are so pleased with them too!! But I do love the look of the sapphire splash, so pretty! Great to see these beautiful girls displayed so beautifully!! Hope your egg season goes really well!! Much love guys xx 🌸💓🌻💐

Great video!! Totally sharing because everyone needs to see this!

Great list! Appreciate the info! 😊❤

I have 5 ISAs and they are amazing layers and we just got 3 Barred Plymouth Rocks this spring. The Plymouths aren’t laying yet but as for friendly? VERY! I have one hen in particular who LOVES to jump up in my shoulder! We call her Velcro because she wants to be stuck to is! Great breed!

Have to add Wyandottes to the list...280 eggs a year, good attitude, not lap chickens but mind their own business unless confronted. A little loud, but one of the best cold weather birds out there, and beautiful coloration to boot.

Barred rocks are one of my fave breeds. And have had good experience with Black Sex link and Golden Buff (I believe is same as ISA Brown). I have had Sapphire Gems but not heard of Sapphire Splash. I want some of those! They are so pretty!!!

Isa Brown are awesome and maybe the best egg layers, but boy, they are bullies towards other chickens and to me the harmony in the flock is a must. My favorite breed is Buff Orpingtons which I adore for their fluffy looks and sweet disposition towards me and chickens. They even keep the peace in the flock without being a bully themselves.

Great list! Power layers are where it is at if you’re looking for production like we both are. If you have the ability to turn your flock over that is. Great info friends!

I also like the Plymouth BARD rocks. I don't have any right now, but next year I plan to get a couple. I've had them in the past and they are great.

Thanks for your info.

Black Australorp is my number one breed! Your list was very helpful. I have never had Isa Brown or Calico Princess.

You make awesome videos. Show and tell explaining what, why, how, etc.... very informative. I don't have chickens anymore, however I still enjoy them when ever I can ... sometimes only through videos. I went fishing and when I stopped at a small store for some ice a bunch of chickens surrounded my car in the parking lot while I was inside. It was a hoot of laughs when I came back out trying to get back in the car. They must have gotten used to getting treats from customers. Love your channel.

These are a few great options! I have some of these.

Hello! I just found your page. I’m a new chicken owner! I have 6 Speckled Sussex chicks. I have to estimate their age because TSC didn’t know their age. I think they are about 3 weeks old. As far as layers, they can produce 250+ a year. I believe their eggs are more medium sized, but they are so sweet and definitely a lap chicken. I’m so excited to see them grow. Thank you so much for all of the information. Maybe I will be able to check out the breeds you mentioned one day.

I know you're not crazy about the Rhode Island Reds because of their attitudes, but they are great layers. That's why people crossbreed them to get that egg production. We love their personalities. They can be sassy little girls, but I adore how excited they get and start talking to me when they see me in the yard.

Barred Rock is a must. We have a tiny backyard flock and 2 of the 3 BRs will "puff" up against our cats and Pits (that don't pay them any mind) but we like that they seem to be a bit on the tougher side. They lay great (no forcing in winter.) We had 2 Australorps that were great and will get again, great layers and heat tolerant. Ameraucana (we have 1) not a good layer and has eaten a lot of eggs, thin shells. She laid a double yolker when young and her production after that has been sporadic. Pretty eggs when we get them but not again.

I have 5 breeds in my flock and my Rhode Island reds are wonderfully friendly. Everyone gets along. Buffs, barred rock,Americana, Rhodes, Wyandotte. All these birds are roughly 10-13 lbs. all super layers. Do not over produce them in winter.

That's a great list. I would put my Black Astralorps in there as well. I've only ever raised them with Isa Browns. If I sat on a bucket they would hop up on my lap. Great info. Thanks

Thank You, your vid was great, I got the same objectives that you mentioned in your vid.

Thank you for sharing this informative episode of your beautiful chickens. One of my favorite chicken videos on your channel. The variety of colors and breeds of your chickens are just joyful to watch. 🙏☺️🌻

Thank you! I love my buff Orpington s but when we add to our small flock; I’d love some Plymouth Rocks!! We don’t need huge production (just 2 of us and 3 birds currently) but sweet personalities are a must

I have had Isa Browns and Plymouth Barred Rocks among 7 other breeds. The Rocks are winter layers and the Isa don't seem to go broody ever. I would never recommend a feather footed bird for my hot, humid summers but Brahmas are amazing gentle birds suited for cooler climates. Good list, Cheers from Ontario, Can!

Agree 100% the Red Star (Isa Brown) and Barred Plymouth Rock are the best layers. Where do y’all source your chicks from?

Love the title “ Old Swedes Farm” I have some of those chickens in my flock

Barred rock was my favorite when I use to raise chickens, And they taste good.

It was real market research! Obviously, there is a result. Now we need a real diploma of a connoisseur of chicken families! Great job!

Great picks ! Isa Brown / red sexlink/Cinnamon Queen which are all pretty much the same and very similar, Black sexlink and Ancona are my favorites. I like looks as well as egg pumpers.

Good evening Y’all all, I came across your video by mistake and am so glad. 14 days ago I aquired seven chickins and a coup. I have a lot to learn so am looking forward to being part of your community. I have just subscribed.

Beautiful, happy flock!

This was out first year win hens and we have 5 ISAs….they are rockstars for laying. Most days I get at least 4..I have several 5 egg days per week. And they are so fun to raise. We just added 3 Plymouths and 4 Buff Orpingtons…excited to see what this year will bring!

Great video

All wonderful breeds for eggs.. My New Hampshire Reds and Brahmas lay very large eggs but they all do a wonderful job! 🥚

I wonder how far you are from Beresford South Dakota. Good video. I agree. I love the barred rock as well. Just the nicest. We are breeding barred rock, golden comets, black stars, Rhode Island, reds, etc. and others. But we’re cranking out the golden comments. Going after egg cells. They lay an egg a day.

New to chickens so got Red Stars they follow me around due to treats, eat out of my hand, had them at 3 days old, now 18 weeks all doing well I clean the coop everyday, they are pretty chicken never lost to many feather never look weird teenager, just cute birds they have their moments chasing my little dog and love to be in the kitchen

Great list.

yes on both the top 1's!!! those are some of my girls!! but i also got some rhode island reds great in winter...summer not so much...those girls like to sit on the cold rocks in the water mode to cool off.

I like the Buff Orpington. They are a quiet breed.

Great list for egg production! The Calico Princess is the only one I don't have any experience with.

Thanks for the great video, and for actually showing us your girls. We currently have several different breeds and are looking to possibly get some Sapphire Gem or Sapphire Splash. I saw you had videos about both. Any thoughts/preference?

Good to know which is good Durant summer. Thanks

Hey Holly and Rich...another fantastic video...talking about crossbred/sex link chickens...farmers have been crossbreeding beef cattle and hogs for years for feed efficiency, health and great temperments. I have many relatives that are grain and livestock farmers that do this with livestock and have done this for years and have had excellent results. I am still looking for my place in the country and when I get it chickens will be at the top of the list. Thank you for providing such helpful information. Keep up the great work!!

ISA BROWNS lay almost EVERY day and Large/XL Brown eggs!!! My number 1 laying hen!!! You RIGHT!!! GOOD LAYER HENS!!! The GOLDEN COMETS right up there with ISA BROWNS!!! GET YOU SOME!!!

Good to know I’m a beginner in the process of building my coop and chicken yard and a tractor . Need all the education on chickens. Thank you.

Egg production is very important as well as temperament. Another thing to consider is different breeds of chickens are suited better for different climates. Chickens with little or no combs do better in very cold, chickens with very high Combs are better suited for hot temperatures because that's how they dissipate heat. If you live where you do Minnesota you can experience heat and cold so it's kind of a double-edged sword. As long as your chickens can get out of the cold in the winter or you have a way to keep them warmer a large comb chicken will be fine. But if someone doesn't their combs can get frostbit and they'll turn black. I grew up in northern Michigan and we always had chickens that had little or no Combs. As far as what I've got here in Kentucky I've got some of both I've got white leghorns which are great egg layers have very large Combs I have golden comments which have medium-sized Combs and a couple different varieties of Easter eggers some have combs some don't. I know they say you shouldn't heat a coop but this winter when we got down into the minus degree temperatures I did put a heat lamp in my coupe that was secured. The chickens seemed to appreciate it.

I know nothing, but it sure is interesting to listen to someone that knows their stuff!! You are a scholar my friend!! Keep up the great work!! Hello to the Mrs for me, way late I am!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸😁😁👍👍 Cheers my friend!!

Our barred rock is our grumpiest. So interesting how they are all so different for different people and places I guess.

Good Morning Rich and Hollie! I am so glad you shared this, I have the Plymouth Barred rocks, buff Orpingtons, Blue Plymouth rocks and Easter eggers. These are the only ones I could get I had an option on silkies but didn’t want them. Not many options here and there is a waiting list for chicks and chick breeds. One of my barred rocks is special and she has melted my heart. Way too cute and sweet. Love her. I am looking forward to eggs and selling eggs along with my CSA. Have a blessed day Happy Spring and stay warm! 🙏🏻🇺🇸. Wendy

i narrowed mine down to barred rock and buff orpington. but i will say my ultimate laying chicken was the white leghorn! so many eggs from such a small breed, but everyone wants brown eggs so…

I loooove my Barred rocks ❤️ they’re so friendly and my first layers of my flock (new-ish chicken mom). Love your list! I second the guy whose talking about black australorps, I want some! Hear they’re amazing layers and really docile, even the roosters. According to Mike at The Fit Farmer 🤗.

Thanks, Rich. These videos are super helpful. The BPR are beautiful. Here's a dumb question- do all breeds eat the same amount of food ? I think they would, but not sure. People rave about the Ophitons (sorry, probably butchered that, lol). I noticed you don't. Could be a regional/ climate thing, too ? Cheers 🌱

I’m raising ISA browns and golden comets right now. When they get big enough for the coop, i’m getting barred rocks and more ISA browns. Your hens are huge. What percent protein are you feeding them and where are you getting your feed?

The only one on your list that I’ve ever had is the barred rock - she is definitely one of our most consistent layers, and very friendly! I may have to try some of the other breeds you mentioned in the future.

I love this video!! Thank you for reviewing your favorite breeds. Do you know who lays what well enough to show the eggs of each breed? I know who lays the welsummer egg... (and it turns out those are always my smallest eggs) and who lay the olive egger eggs (by far the largest) but I don't know which of my hens lay the other brown eggs (from almost white to medium brown). I wanted darker brown eggs. But it's not turned out that way. So I'm wondering if you can show some of your darker brown eggs and if you know which breed lays them. Of course... I don't know why I'm asking. I. DO. NOT. HAVE. ROOM. FOR. MORE. CHICKENS. hahahahahaha.

I need 2 of those Black Star birds, please! Or the Bard Plymoth Rock. Really, I need 2! Oh my goodness, they are all beauties. This was such an incredibly helpful video. Thank you two for putting this together!

Do you have any opinions on Buff Orpingtons and Speckled Sussex? I’ll be having my first ever flock in the Spring!

Listing the best breeds is nice. But it really depends on where you get the chickens from. For instance, you could pick out Rhode Island reds from five different hatcheries. And you could get five completely different chickens. From egg production to personality you would never know you have the same breed. So if you have a bad experience with one breed, I wouldn't necessarily write them off forever. Try them from a different source. You might be surprised.

Your Red and White (Icea Brown) is called a Golden Star in our area...I just got 3 September 2022 and have 4 more in my Brooder Box. The three I got last Sept are egg laying machines! I was to teach two of them to fly up on my forearm to eat snacks. I'm sure they would be less jumpy if I didn't have a 4yo Buff Orrington who rules over all my hens. I also have 3 Plymouth Rocks in the Brooder. I have small odd numbers because chicks don't last very long at any of the feed stores! One thing I have learned about chicken breeds. If you are going to have carryover hens from the previous year, don't add Gray Brahma chickens to your flock! They are too passive and everyone will pick on them! Plus you have a huge chicken that lays small eggs. The only Gray Brahma I have left, I got in September too. So she is young but her eggs are by far the smallest.

he farms dinosaurs in his backyard !

My favorite were the Buff Orpingtons. But this time I ordered 50 Novogen Browns. They look like the Buffs, they lay huge eggs, they lay an average of 395 eggs a year and they are supposed to be very sweet birds. Talk about a crazy bird. But they were also engineered towards egg production. It’ll be interesting!

I totally laughed out loud when you said 100° Rich. I love the breeds you have chosen as favorites. But I'm a "hatch em myself" type gal and most of mine are crosses of this that and another. Mostly because I like egg color variety.

The one that I have had the most trouble with has been the buff Orpington. I will go out and they will have just drop dead. No warning. Nothing. That being said, they are great egg layers, and their eggs are rather big. I think that’s probably why they have some trouble. My thought is that they get egg bound. Other than that, I really do like the breed.

Have you tried Whiting True Blue or Green before?

I'm not caring about just egg production, I like Buff Orpingtons, I am starting out with that breed, ill get back to you on how much I like or don't like maybe later, but my goal is neat production and they DO go broody and raise their own, and are dual purpose, eggs are not a problem around here cuz SO MANY ppl HAVE backyard chickens, so looking to raise and butcher for meat...so thats my take...don't need an egg business although I already have egg customers and they've not started to lay yet...lol

Great info thanks for sharing. We've made it to our homestead busy first week. Stuck the camper in the mud pulling in. As soon as internet is hooked up we have something to put out. Take care and be safe.

I am getting lots of duck eggs right now. Big and so good. You might want to try. Dirty but so cute .

Brown Leghorn

Don't forget the cherry Eggers and the Rhode Island reds, excellent birds.

Does any one can recommend chicken breed that is both good egg layer and goes broody as well? I know New Hampshirite red and Wyandotte fall into that category. Any other breeds?

Did you guys sall fertilized eggs for all of them

Thank you for sharing! I just started my flock of 12 chicks 3 weeks ago. I have Easter eggers, Olive egger, Isa brown, barred Plymouth Rock, buff Orpingtons, black australorp, Salmon Faverolle, speckled sussex, cream legbar. Hope they are all great chickens. I live in Northwest Indiana so we need cold hardy chickens.

I watched your video and typed out a lengthy comment, but it was on the page of a different video that popped up after yours so you would have to go there to read it. HA I basically said that I agree that ISA Browns are the best period for laying eggs. I'm 71 and have had a lot of breeds in my time. The last flock of Barred Rocks were not that great. They didn't lay early, never laid very large eggs, and several wanted to go broody. Maybe I just got some with bad genes. I don't consider any breed that goes broody a good production bird. You lose too much time getting them over the broodiness and it's a lot of trouble. The other comment went to the Little Hollow Homestead if you want to read that one. It's about my breeding experiences to obtain a create a sustainable ISA Brown flock by crossbreeding. The video was titled "Top 9 Best Chicken Breeds ..........."

Could you show a basket of eggs for the size and color color Do you use roosters Do you incubate to raise your own flock What do what do you. Use as shell nutrient AND yolk taste York c o lor?

Do you ship chicks? I want to get some in July .

Another a I’m winter what temperature should be for girls inside safe temps This first time for me

what makes their combs lay over to the side? It is the breed?

I like the black sex links too. We got our first ones 2 years ago. I picked up 5 this year. The only new girls to our flock this year so far. I may need to try some isa browns.

I have five golden hens layers

Where do you get your chickens.

Rich and Holly, Mrs. Betty and I need a breed of chickens that like children and dogs, are less likely to be attractive to foxes, coyotes and other predators and safe to free range…to let forage around The Ole Church from time to time. Does such a breed exist? Good egg production is a must too.

Thanks for share your experience From where I can order eggs Plymouth Rock for hatching

Where do you order your chickens from?

Could you do a vid on breeds you WOULDN'T recommend?

Hi i need this from Bangladesh

My hens won’t lay eggs. Time of year to molt and shortened daylight 😢

Welcome my friend 🌹🌹🌹🌹 love you 💗

Road island red hold the world's record for eggs laid in a year so why change?

Plz give the name of hens in written form . English is our language must mention ur country name. I'm from Pakistan.

My Gen2 Fayogiants averaged 75g. Maxing at over 86 gram. They lay biggest eggs when u need thm most. Winter. Thats when I would breed. *FAYO GIANT CHICKEN BREED FACTS* I made new breed Fayo Giant chicken breed. I began by using 4premium strains Jersey Giant fed diet unlike any other@ a cost of $1,000 per bird. That 1st year I averaged 75g vs 64g egg size2 yeild bigger stronger chick& fertility rose 35%. Chickens get locked in DNA/color/shape gene pools like dogs due to ludicrous "Standards of "Perfection" rule. Crossbreeding dog makes much better dog. So, 1st I corrected this problem with 4Jersey bloods. Chicken feed currently limits protein so egg not too big to fit a carton = tiny chickens we have today vs 25lbs 1900. Feed is 20% innocuous brutal to digest seed coat saps chicken energy 2digest vs my birds ate 50% meat bone hide fur fish scales organs & all with greens salt spices garlic wood ash, sugar& sprouted oily dry corn. My Jersey Giant initial new breed Gen1 emphasis focused on massive bigger then ave. leg strains 2forage much deeper with energy efficient calm demeanor they are tractors. They get many more insects. Initial cost Gen1 averaged $28 an egg these breeders eggs av. 64g with horrendous 45% fertility due to inferior feeds. Diet was key my eggs became huge thru diet unlike any other. Chicks became muscular Secretariats. Best? Facts: ...6 of my Gen2 birds yielded 9lbs fat = as much calories as 175lb deer in 6 months. No other bird touches this. Chest cavity packed with 1lb premium organ fat prized by chefs & 1/2 lb fat riddled thru meat like wagyu beef. Did u know oil = #1 killer of off grid survivalists. Human organs begin fail in 1 week without oil = why people died en mass depression eating fat free rabbits. Oil is basically non existent on farms & in nature it is manufactured product only. No money = no oil. Chicken fat th oil of all oils the cullinary chef leverage king of kings. My moto is delete money. I bred my Gen2 with a Fayo Giant Gen1 rooster. A STUNNING bird unlike anything I have ever seen. He would knock on door jump on my arm come in at night, yet guarded thflock like a master sheep dog he owned thfarm. Pure Fayoumis by far most intelligent dog like birds. This trait stuck with my Fayo Giants u can discern th intelligence just looking @their eyes. Fayo roosters tolerate each other yet are fierce regarding hens THEY NEED 2B. Thus was born my Gen 3 Fayo Giants. Fayomis mature fastest crowing 4.5 months with legendary disease resistance& lay earliest on minimal protein. Streamlined, refined Hondas vs my original Gen1 Jersey as a clunky cumbersome loose fitting Ford. My garden engines: Premium diet = superiour (fall only) manure 4garden I use zero fertilizers just thick mulch & my birds. All thworlds problems can be solved in thgarden no other farm animal can make bread& cookies& pastries& gives u meat (eggs) every day while continues work 4u. Fayoumis were eaten by Egyptian Pharoahs. They lived wild thousands of years till today. My Fayo Giants just from cmpletely dffrnt next level factory. Immediately they strike u as a wolf vs a Jersey Giant being a big inferior design domestic dog. Friendly yet fiercely street wise &independent. I have no inerest in raising breeding birds. I live on food forests I build& sell& I coined thword. People breeding grossly inferior birds using "Standard of Perfection." It stifles suffocates gene pool while on crippling feeds with deliberate protein ceiling/all across thboard methods my velociraptors told me absolutely dont work. This has cost me absolutely massive losses with 40 incredibly dreadful teeny tiny tuff bad tasting breeds. 15hour days 1.5 years yeided my Gen1 Fayo-Giant.

My favorites are still black sex link. They are so pretty.