Oh, how we enjoy our omelets and scrambled eggs! In fact, the one creature we should be giving credit to for our delicious breakfast dishes is our undervalued chicken breeds.
Did you know that according to statistics, the average hen lays 276 eggs per year?
That estimates three-quarters of an egg per day. However, the amount of eggs a chicken lays heavily depends on a number of factors, with one factor being its breed type. Having said that, the question that remains is, “What breeds of chicken are known to lay the most eggs?”
Well, here are the top ten chicken breeds that will continue to keep your hard-cooked and deviled eggs on your kitchen table.
Chicken Breed #1: Hybrid Chicken
Out of the many hybrid breeds, the Golden Comet is the most well-known. Developed in the 1950’s and bred to lay huge amounts of eggs when there was a massive demand for eggs and meat, the Hybrid breed is expectantly the largest egg-laying breed.
Their 280 eggs per year are medium-sized and brown colored. And what’s more? These golden and brown colored hens are extremely rigorous, so if you are searching for that year-round egg layer, the Hybrids will be your ideal selection.
Another consideration as well is that these hens have an average lifespan of around six years. In other words, your year-round egg layer will actually turn into an estimated six years of egg-laying.
Chicken Breed #2: Rhode Island Red Chickens
These extremely smart and friendly brown and black feathered hens come in as second, laying thirty fewer eggs than their top competitors. The 250 eggs that they lay per year are brown and medium in size.
Even more! Rhode Island Reds can be raised for meat as well, which is where they receive their “dual-purpose” classification from.
If you are someone who is not interested in hens who need constant care, the Rhode Island Red breed will be your best bet as they are exceptionally tough and quite competent with taking care of themselves.
Besides, you will have them for at least four years, although they can live for up to eight years.
Chicken Breed #3: Sussex Chickens
Similar to the Rhode Island Red breed, the Sussex hens can also be raised for both eggs and meat. The 250 eggs that they lay on an annual basis will range from brown through to creamy white.
In addition, these particular chickens are a unique kind when it comes to their eight different colors, with their most popular color being an all-white body with black neck and tail feathers.
Unlike the Hybrids and Rhode Island Reds, they are extremely calm and are able to roam without destroying. Hence, if you are seeking a peaceful breed of hens, the Sussex chickens are definitely for you.
Chicken Breed #4: Leghorn Chickens
Originated from Italy and migrated to the United States in the 1800s, Leghorns, with their full white body and large thick red comb, are known to be very timid; this is one of the reasons why they make the optimal backyard breed.
Like the Rhode Island Reds and the Sussex hens, the Leghorns also lay their 250 eggs per year, which are white and medium in size. The only downside, however, is the fact that they are very difficult to tame, so if you are looking for an immensely domesticated hen, the Longhorns will not make a perfect fit.
Chicken Breed #5: Ancona Chickens
Originally from the Marche region of Italy but starting being bred to its present kind in the United Kingdom in the 19th century, the Ancona breed produces approximately 220 small white eggs per year.
The Ancona gives off a small appearance and are mostly grey with white stripes wrapping around their body.
Unfortunately, if you want a chicken as a pet, this breed is not the right option as they are jittery and will need their feathers clipped frequently because they are infamous for flying out of their chicken pens!
Chicken Breed #6: Plymouth Rock Chickens
The Plymouth Rocks are similar in physical features to the Ancona breed. The only difference is that they are larger in size, and lay an estimated small to medium-sized, light brown 200 eggs annually.
On the other hand, unlike the Ancona breed, Plymouth Rocks make excellent pets owing to the fact that they appeal to being free and possess a friendly and docile nature.
Chicken Breed #7: Hamburg Chickens
Laying around 200 small to medium white glossy eggs per year, the Hamburg breed originated from Germany. What is so distinctive about them is that their feathers are similar to the coat of a Dalmatian’s, which are white with black.
Besides their white and black spot feathers, the Hamburg breed can have black with golden tipped feathers as well. Nevertheless, keep in mind that this breed is very hostile in small spaces and prefer to roam around.
Chicken Breed #8: Barnevelder Chickens
A native to Holland, the mainly black-with-brown tipped glossy feathered Barnevelder breed lays 200 small to medium, light brown eggs per year. Because this breed cannot fly as well as most other hens, they make a superb garden pen pet.
You can watch a video that gives you a brief overview of the Barnevelder breed. It will give you an idea as to whether this particular breed is right for you.
Chicken Breed #9: Marans Chickens
Originated in Marans, France and imported to the United Kingdom in the 1930s, Marans are another “dual purpose” breed that are unique for both their meat quality and the 200 vibrant dark brown eggs that they produce annually.
They acquire a predominantly dark grey with white feathers. Additionally, even though these hens are gentle, they are not easily trained, therefore, they do not make ideal pets.
Chicken Breed #10: Buff Orpington Chickens
Although this breed is the top easily tamed, the Buff Orpingtons only lay 180 eggs per year, which is around one eggs every two days. Originally from Kent, England, they have a beautiful golden-yellow color with a thick layer of feathers.
On the contrary, Buff Orpingtons are inclined to being unmanageable during the summer season. Regardless, they still make for impeccable pets.
Start Raising Your Own Chicken Breeds Today!
So there you have it! These are the top 10 chicken breeds that do wonderful jobs supplying us with our quality eggs. If you are interested in having a pet chicken, the first step is deciding what breed characteristics you are looking for.
For example, do you want a wild chicken or an easily tamed one? Do you prefer a breed that is known to lay more eggs annually?
These are all effective questions to consider when choosing the right chicken breed pet. Remember that the more eggs your hen can lay per year, the more scrambled eggs you will have the opportunity to savor!