Best Egg Laying Chicken Breeds: Top 12 Picks for Backyard Flocks
Choosing a chicken breed based only on egg count per year misses most of what actually matters for a backyard flock. A breed that lays 320 eggs annually but is flighty, struggles in your climate, or burns out after two years may serve you worse than a breed that lays 230 eggs calmly and for five years.
Here are twelve breeds worth knowing, what each one delivers, and which situations they fit best.
Rhode Island Red
Rhode Island Reds are the most recommended breed from experienced backyard keepers, and the reputation is deserved. They lay 250 to 300 brown eggs per year, hold production through their second and third laying years better than most production breeds, and tolerate a wide range of climates without special management.
Their temperament is calm and curious without being aggressive, making them manageable for beginners and a good fit for mixed flocks.
Eggs per year: 250 to 300 brown Climate: Adaptable Temperament: Calm, handleable Best for: First flock, families, general homestead production
Australorp
The Australorp holds the single-hen world egg production record: 364 eggs in 365 days. Modern Australorps typically produce 280 to 320 eggs per year and continue laying through shorter winter days better than most breeds. Where a Leghorn may slow dramatically in December, an Australorp continues laying through shorter days with less dropoff.
They are also exceptionally gentle. Australorps rank consistently among the most docile breeds and tolerate handling by children.
Eggs per year: 280 to 320 brown Climate: Adaptable, good winter layers Temperament: Very calm, excellent for families Best for: Year-round production, flocks with children
White Leghorn
White Leghorns lay 280 to 320 white eggs per year with highly efficient feed conversion and early onset of laying at 16 to 18 weeks. These are production specialists.
The tradeoff is temperament: Leghorns are flighty and easily startled. They also have large upright combs susceptible to frostbite in severe winters.
Eggs per year: 280 to 320 white Climate: Better in moderate climates Temperament: Active, flighty Best for: Maximum production efficiency, warm climate keepers
Golden Comet and Sex-Links
Sex-link chickens are first-generation hybrids that start laying at 16 weeks and produce 280 to 320 eggs in year one. Their second and third year output declines more steeply than heritage breeds.
For keepers who want maximum eggs in years one and two and plan to rotate birds regularly, sex-links are a rational choice. For those building a long-term flock, heritage breeds hold value longer.
Eggs per year: 280 to 320 brown (year 1) Climate: Adaptable Best for: Maximum first-year production, flock rotation programs
Plymouth Rock (Barred Rock)
The Barred Rock is among the most reliably versatile breeds in American chicken keeping. They lay 200 to 280 brown eggs per year, hold production through winter reasonably well, are cold-hardy, and have a calm, curious temperament.
The distinctive black-and-white barred plumage makes them easy to identify in a mixed flock. As a dual-purpose breed, Barred Rock cockerels grow large enough to make reasonable table birds.
Eggs per year: 200 to 280 brown Climate: Cold-hardy, good in northern climates Temperament: Calm, friendly Best for: Cold climates, mixed-purpose flocks, families
Buff Orpington
Buff Orpingtons are the breed most often described as lap chickens. They are gentle, curious, slow-moving birds that actively seek human contact and tolerate handling easily. They are cold-hardy, with dense feathering providing good insulation.
Egg production is 200 to 280 light brown eggs per year. They go broody easily, which is either a feature or a problem depending on your goals.
Eggs per year: 200 to 280 light brown Climate: Cold-hardy Temperament: Very gentle, excellent with children Best for: Family flocks, cold climates, natural incubation
Wyandotte
Wyandottes lay 200 to 250 cream to brown eggs per year and are notably cold-hardy, with the rose comb characteristic of the breed being much less susceptible to frostbite than the upright combs of breeds like Leghorns. The Silver Laced variety’s intricate silver-and-black pattern is particularly striking.
Eggs per year: 200 to 250 brown Climate: Excellent cold hardiness Temperament: Calm Best for: Cold climate keepers, ornamental interest alongside production
Easter Egger
Easter Eggers lay eggs in blue, green, olive, cream, and occasionally pink shades, creating cartons that stand out dramatically from brown or white eggs. Production averages 200 to 280 eggs per year. Temperament is consistently described as curious and friendly.
The market value of colored eggs for direct sales is real. Buyers at farmers markets and through direct sales are often willing to pay more for colorful cartons simply because of the visual novelty.
Eggs per year: 200 to 280 blue, green, olive, cream Climate: Adaptable Temperament: Friendly, curious Best for: Mixed flocks, direct sales, families who want visual interest
Dominique
The Dominique is the oldest American chicken breed. They lay 200 to 250 brown eggs per year, are cold-hardy with a rose comb, and have an extremely calm, docile temperament. They are notably self-sufficient foragers when allowed to free-range.
Eggs per year: 200 to 250 brown Climate: Cold-hardy Temperament: Very calm Best for: Heritage breed keepers, free-range flocks
Black Copper Marans
Marans lay chocolate-brown eggs with a rich color that commands premium prices at farmers markets. The eggs are genuinely distinctive: a deep, sometimes almost reddish chocolate that buyers immediately notice. Egg production is 150 to 200 per year.
For direct-sale keepers who can charge $8 to $12 per dozen for genuine dark-egg Marans, the lower volume is offset by higher per-dozen price.
Eggs per year: 150 to 200 dark chocolate brown Climate: Adaptable Best for: Direct sales, farmers markets, premium egg production
Silkie
Silkies lay approximately 100 to 120 small cream-colored eggs per year and are the worst production choice on this list. They are also the most tame chickens of any common breed, are intensely broody, and are among the most distinctive-looking birds.
For families who want chickens primarily as pets that also produce some eggs, Silkies fit that role better than any other breed.
Eggs per year: 100 to 120 small cream Climate: Cold-sensitive Temperament: Very tame Best for: Family pet flocks, natural incubation
Making Your Decision
For a first flock focused on egg production: Rhode Island Reds, Australorps, or a combination gives you reliable production, good temperament, and adequate cold-hardiness for most climates.
For a cold climate prioritizing winter laying: Australorps, Plymouth Rocks, or Wyandottes.
For direct sales and farmers market selling: Easter Eggers for colorful eggs, Marans for dark chocolate eggs.
For a family flock where handling matters as much as production: Buff Orpingtons, Australorps, or Dominiques.
Rhode Island Red chicks or hatching eggs
Australorp chicks for the best combination of production and temperament.
Easter Egger hatching eggs for colorful egg production.
For everything you need to set up a successful flock, see our complete backyard chickens beginners guide.
— Last updated: June 2026.