Chickens for Eggs

There are over 200 recognised breeds of chicken around the World but not all hens are equal in their laying ability so if you would like chickens for eggs, look at my top 10 laying hens below first. It is commonly accepted that all chickens decended from the Jungle Fowl. Pure breeds of chicken have been developed over many hundreds, even thousands of years from the Jungle Fowl (although science is still challenged by the Auraucana that lays blue eggs).

A Little History of Laying Hens

Feeding Chickens 1910Before the First World War, ducks were the better egg layers and chicken breeds that layed 100 eggs or more per year were considered good layers. Most of the development of pure bred laying hens came after the Second World War when there were many laying trials and tests and it was common for breeders to ‘trap nest’ hens to record their individual output so that they could be used to produce further generations of laying hens.

Development of the ‘Hybrid’

The developments with pure breeds were soon to be followed by hybrid (a cross of pure breeds) laying hens. There were millions of pounds spent during the 1950’s on creating hybrids that were not only capable of laying more eggs but also had a good feed conversion.

During this development, the parent flocks that created these hybrid layers were becoming a different ‘strain’ of their own because hens were selected for egg production rather than the way they looked.

Interestingly, duck eggs could have been on our breakfast table rather than chickens eggs… but they did not do well kept in confined conditions like chickens.

keeping chickens for eggsMy Top 10 Chickens for Eggs

The following table lists my top 10 laying hens (a mixture of hybrids and pure breeds) and gives an estimate of the number of eggs they are capable of producing if kept in the right conditions.

Note that there are many different strains of hens from different breeders that will perform differently… egg numbers can vary on a number of other factors too, particularly with feeding and daylight levels.

Exhibition strains that have been closely bred are not usually selected for their egg laying performance. Try to purchase hens from a good ‘Utility Strain’. There are some breeders that advertise utility strains and the number of eggs they expect from their strain every year.

Hybrids are much more reliable at producing a given number of eggs and are bred mainly for this purpose.

1. Goldline (Hybrid)

The ultimate egg machine. This little commercial brown hen will lay up to 320 large brown eggs in her first year. They have a good feed ratio and are very similar to the birds used on farms to produce eggs for the consumer market. A very  friendly bird that will be in your house if the door is left open!

2. White Leghorn (Pure Breed)

Small attractive birds with a good feed efficiency that lay up to 300 large white eggs in their first year. These are the standard commercial hen used in the U.S. for egg production (because white eggs are preferred). They can be quite flighty and can fly well so make sure they can be kept securely before you buy them or clip a wing to keep them on the ground.

3. Nera (Hybrid)

Hardy birds that are great foragers and layers of a good quality large brown egg. The Nera is a cross between a certain strains of Rhode Island Red and Barred Plymouth Rock, originating in Scotland. You can expect around 270 eggs in their first year.

4. Amber (Hybrid)

The Amber is a Rhode Island Red based hybrid that looks attractive and has very soft feathering. She is a fantastic layer of up to 300 medium eggs in her first year.

5. Speckledy (Hybrid)

The Speckledy is a flecked dark hen, a cross of a Rhode Island Red and Marans. She lays around 270 large dark brown eggs in her first year.

6. Rhode Island Red (Pure Breed)

The Rhode Island Red is a good layer of up to 220 large brown eggs in their first year. Be sure to get a utility strain though as these are a popular show bird.

7. Marans (Pure Breed)

Good layers of medium to large dark brown eggs. Copper Black Marans seem to be the best layers laying up to 200 eggs in a year. They are often good winter layers, with pullets coming into lay during January.

8. Light Sussex (Pure Breed)

Attractive birds that will reward you with up to 200 medium tinted eggs.

9. Araucana (Pure Breed)

Araucanas are very unique looking. They initially came from Chile in South America. The Araucana lays around 200 medium sized blue to bluish-green

10. Crested Cream Legbar (Pure Breed)

An attractive hen with a small crest that will lay up to 180 medium sized blue to bluish-green eggs that will add a little colour to your egg boxes.

302 Comments

  1. Hi! I have 5 hens. One barred rock, 2 golden sex links, one white rock, and one white leghorn. They were born in May 2010. Some started laying eggs that fall, but when winter hit (we lived in a cold region) the ones that were laying stopped. When spring came we moved them to California. They had a few months of laying when the days got short again and they completely stopped. Now that spring is here they should be laying but only one of them is. So long story short, we really have not had much egg laying out of them in the time they have been alive. Why do you think? And what can we do to encourage them to start laying again? Thanks!

  2. We have had 2 gold line hens since November 2010. They began laying within weeks and have been regular and prolific layers until the beginning of this year. Both stopped laying and have not restarted. Both look healthy but 2weeks ago they both seemed to pass small, pink, oval fleshy lumps. Do you have any idea what these can be and if they will start laying again? Also would it be a good idea to introduce some new hens?
    Janet

    • These things sometimes happen. Mis-formed eggs by the sound of things. The Goldline will produce most of their eggs in the first 2 years. They should lay again but at a reduced rate. That said, April is when all birds should be laying…

      • I began giving the hens a proprietary tonic but sadly one of them has now died. The other is still not laying but seems healthy, how soon should I introduce any new hens and will this one be lonely?

        • Chickens live in flocks and one hen on her own will not be very happy. You can introduce new hens fairly quickly. There will be upset until the pecking order is sorted out but providing they are similar sizes, they should eventually settle.

  3. Hi hoping you can help, we are new to keeping chickens and have a 4′ x 2′ coop, one nest box (able to add another). We are planning to put on bricks and put a 9’x9′ run around it. We are adjusting the garden so they can free range when we are in. Am now wondering how many to start off with, am worried the coop is too large and if we do need another nest box. We would like Speckledy, nera and goldline 2 of each – does this sound reasonable? Also is a covered run recommended?

    • 4′ x 2′ sounds about right for 3 to 4 medium sized hens. 2 nest boxes would be better as a hen may sit for a couple of hours and another wants to lay… A covered run isn’t essential however they will need somewhere outside their house to stand out of the rain. If they can go underneath the house, this usually helps.

  4. Hello, we have recently got 4 POL. 3 are still quite young and growing fast, but 1 (a Legbar) started laying recently. She was laying every few days for about 3 weeks and has now stopped laying all together -we haven’t had an egg for 2 weeks now. Is this normal?! I thought she was getting into a rountine of laying regularly so am quite confused! She seems well in herself, eating, drinking and is active. Her comb is a nice size, but isn’t bright red -its still pink/red. We did have their wings clipped recently which was done carefully-she doesn’t really like being pick up yet so could this have caused any shock? Or do I just need to be patient?! Thanks!

    • I would be patient, she is young. Stress caused by some fairly trivial things can stop hens laying. Come the spring she will be laying regularly for sure.

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