Which chicken lays the most eggs?

The hybrid red sex-link, at 280 to 320 eggs a year, is the most productive. The Leghorn follows closely with white eggs.

Which hen lays blue eggs?

The Araucana and Cream Legbar lay blue or blue-green eggs. The color is genetic and does not change with feed.

How many hens for eggs all year round?

4 to 6 good layers are enough for a family, with supplementary light in winter to keep them laying.

Best Egg-Laying Chicken Breeds: Which Hen to Choose

Choosing the right laying hen changes everything: depending on the breed, a hen lays from 150 to over 300 eggs a year. Here are the best egg-laying chicken breeds, how many eggs to expect, the hens that lay colored eggs and how many birds to plan for your family.

How many eggs does a hen lay per year?

A good layer produces between 200 and 300 eggs a year depending on the breed. Hybrid hens such as the red sex-link reach 280 to 320 eggs, while heritage breeds sit closer to 150 to 200. Laying also depends on age, feed, light and season.

The best egg-laying breeds

For abundant laying, a few breeds clearly stand out:

Red sex-link (hybrid): the champion, 280 to 320 brown eggs a year, docile and early.
Leghorn: 250 to 300 white eggs, hardy and active.
Sussex: around 250 cream eggs, a calm dual-purpose family hen.
Marans: 150 to 200 highly prized dark brown eggs.
Orpington: around 180 eggs, a gentle hen ideal with children.
Wyandotte: around 200 eggs, robust and decorative.

Hens for colored eggs

For a colorful egg basket, go for the Marans (chocolate brown), the Araucana or Cream Legbar (blue), and the Orpington or Sussex (cream). Shell color comes from the breed, not the feed, and stays the same throughout the hen's life.

Hybrid or heritage breed?

Hybrids lay more, earlier and very steadily, but their laying burns out in two to three years. Heritage, pure breeds lay less but for longer, live longer and breed true to type. If you want to raise your own chicks, choose a pure breed rather than a hybrid.

At what age does a laying hen start laying?

A laying hen starts at around 4.5 to 6 months. Hybrids are often the earliest, around 18 to 20 weeks. The very first eggs are small and sometimes irregular, before laying settles into a regular rhythm within a few weeks.

How long does a hen lay?

A hen lays best in her first two years, then laying drops by about 10 to 15% a year. By 5 or 6 she only lays occasionally, but can live 6 to 10 years. Replacing a few hens each year keeps production steady.

How many hens for a family?

Plan for 2 to 3 hens for a couple and 4 to 6 for a family: a good layer gives about 5 to 6 eggs a week in peak season. Keep at least 3 hens, as they are social animals that should not live alone.

Choosing your laying hens well

When buying, a few signs mark out a healthy hen ready to lay:

A lively hen with a bright red comb and clear eyes.
Clean plumage with no visible parasites at the feather base.
Smooth legs, with no scaly leg mite crusts.
A known age: a pullet of 4 to 5 months is ideal, ready to start laying.

Once your hens are settled, track their laying to spot the best layers and anticipate any drop. See also our articles on tracking laying and on hens that have stopped laying.

Best egg-laying chicken breeds