Family Rural Lifestyle 13 Great Egg-Laying Chickens By Successful Farming Staff Successful Farming Staff The content on Agriculture.com is by created by trained journalists who have become subject-matter experts in their fields. You may see some content using the byline "Successful Farming Staff." The content is primarily from information or a press release provided by other entities – such as the USDA, a university, or agricultural company. The press release has been vetted and reviewed by a staff editor. The content is edited and changed to reflect the voice and style of Successful Farming. Successful Farming's Editorial Guidelines Published on February 20, 2018 Trending Videos Close this video player 01 of 13 Ameraucana Loved for their blue eggs, these medium-size chickens come in a range of colors, such as buff, black, blue, blue-wheaten, brown-red, silver, wheaten and white. Temperament: Docile, friendly, good pets Heat/Cold Tolerance: Good heat tolerance / Excellent cold tolerance Productivity: Excellent egg layer, up to 250 eggs a year Size: Hens weigh about 6 pounds at maturity Chick Color: Yellow, light brown, or striped Fun Facts: This relatively new breed was developed in the 1970s from Araucana hens imported from Chile. The blue-egg gene comes from the Araucana chicken. 02 of 13 Buff Cochin These big exotic birds are covered in layers of golden feathers. Among the showiest backyard chickens, they make wonderful pets and are ideal for kids who want a winning 4-H project. Temperament: Docile, friendly Heat/Cold Tolerance: Poor heat tolerance because of their heavy feathers / Excellent cold tolerance for the same reason Productivity: Adequate layer, up to 100 eggs a year Size: Hens weigh about 8.5 pounds at maturity Chick Color: Yellow Fun Fact: Introduced from China in the mid-1800s, Cochins also come in black, blue, white, and partridge coloring. 03 of 13 White Leghorn These hens lay big white eggs–lots of them. If you want a consistent source of high-quality large eggs, White Leghorns should be part of your flock. Temperament: Active, high-strung, smart, not considered docile Heat/Cold Tolerance: Excellent heat tolerance / Excellent cold tolerance Productivity: Superior layer, up to 300 eggs a year Size: Hens weight about 4.5 pounds at maturity Chick Color: Yellow Fun Facts: With one of the lowest feed-to-egg conversion ratios, Leghorns are a frugal choice. Most of the white eggs you find in the market are from Leghorns or Leghorn crosses. 04 of 13 Silver Laced Wyandotte With silvery white and green iridescent feathers covering shapely, roundish bodies, this is a popular breed for showing in competitions. Productive layers, the hens have small rose-color combs. Temperament: Calm, docile, easygoing Heat/Cold Tolerance: Good heat tolerance / Excellent cold tolerance Productivity: Good layer, up to 200 eggs per year Size: Hens weight about 6.5 pounds at maturity Chick Color: Black to light gray with stripes Fun Facts: Silver Laced Wyandotte, a true American breed developed in the 1870s, gets its name from the Native American tribe the Wyandot, aka Wendat. 05 of 13 Black Australorp This handsome hen hails from Austrailia (where it was developed from Black Orpington) and sports lovely black shiny feathers that, in sunlight, show hints of purple and green iridescence. Temperament: Calm, quiet, gentle Heat/Cold Tolerance: Good heat tolerance / Excellent cold tolerance Productivity: Superior layer, up to 300 eggs a year Size: Hens weigh about 6.5 pounds at maturity Chick Color: Black and white Fun Fact: In the 1920s, a Black Australorp set an egg-laying world record: 364 eggs in a 365-day trial. 06 of 13 White Crested Black Polish The white-and-black feathered top knot on this breed adds elegance and comedy to the barnyard. This feature also makes it great for shows. Temperament: Quiet, docile, a little flighty Heat/Cold Tolerance: Excellent heat tolerance / Poor cold tolerance Productivity: Adequate layer, up to 100 eggs a year Size: Hens weigh about 4.5 pounds at maturity Chick Color: Yellow and brown with puffy head feathers Fun Fact: Some Polish chickens can be frightened easily because their head feathers restrict their vision. 07 of 13 Black Copper Maran This attractive black French breed lays chocolate brown eggs–the darkest eggs in the brown egg spectrum. Other Marans lay lighter brown eggs. Temperament: Calm, quiet, gentle Heat/Cold Tolerance: Excellent heat tolerance / Excellent cold tolerance Productivity: Good layer, up to 200 eggs a year Size: Hens weigh about 6.5 pounds at maturity Chick Color: Black and white Fun Fact: The hackles (neck feathers) on a Black Copper Maran are copper colored, giving the breed its name. 08 of 13 Buff Orpington Originally from England, these large, shapely birds feature luminous golden feathers and striking red combs. These chickens are real beauties. Temperament: Quiet disposition, gentle, friendly, good mothers, easy to tame Heat/Cold Tolerance: Good heat tolerance / Excellent cold tolerance due to abundance of feathers Productivity: Good layer, up to 200 eggs per year, lays in winter Size: Hens weigh about 8 pounds at maturity Chick color: Light buff color Fun Fact: Buff Orpingtons are an old breed, dating from teh 1800s. 09 of 13 Rhode Island Red This heavy mahogany red hen sports a jaunty red comb and is a favorite for backyard flocks because it is an egg-producing machine. Rhodies are also very hardy. Temperament: Friendly, good mothers Heat/Cold Tolerance: Good heat tolerance / Excellent cold tolerance Productivity: Superior layer, up to 300 eggs a year, lays in winter Size: Hens weight about 6.5 pounds at maturity Chick Color: Rusty red Fun Fact: The Rhode Island Red is the state bird of Rhode Island. 10 of 13 Light Brahma Among the largest hens, Light Brahmas decended from Asian chickens and were brought to America in 1850. The showy birds feature feathered legs and large plump bodies. They have small combs (called pea combs) and two-tone feathers. Temperament: Quiet, easy to handle, gentle Heat/Cold Tolerance: Good heat tolerance / Excellent cold tolerance Productivity: Good layer, up to 200 eggs per year Size: Hens weight about 9.5 pounds at maturity Chick Color: Creamy white with shades of gray on backs Fun Facts: Called gentle giants, Light Brahma roosters weight up to 12 pounds. 11 of 13 Delaware Developed in Delaware, this 1940-era breed is a cross of Barred Rock roosters and New Hampshire hens. The breed features a predominantly white body with black barred accents. Temperament: Calm, friendly, quiet Heat/Cold Tolerance: Good heat tolerance / Excellent cold tolerance Productivity: Good layer, up to 200 eggs per year, lays in winter Size: Hens weight about 6.5 pounds at maturity Chick Color: Yellow Fun Fact: Delawares were originally developed as meat chickens and were sold as broilers. 12 of 13 Welsummer The brown and black speckled feathers on the Welsummer hens resemble those of partridges. Bred in the Netherlands, this breed lays attractive brown speckled eggs. Temperament: Friendly, smart, docile Heat/Cold Tolerance: Excellent heat tolerance / Excellent cold tolerance Productivity: Excellent layer, up to 250 eggs a year Size: Hens weigh about 5 pounds at maturity Chick Color: Dark yellow with black stripes Fun Fact: The rooster icon on boxes of Kellog's Corn Flakes cereal was reportedly inspired by a Welsummer rooster. 13 of 13 Barred Rock This popular New England breed is also called Barred Plymouth Rock. Developed in the 1800s by crossing Black Javas, Dominiques, and other breeds, Barred Rocks feature a distinctive black-and-white feather pattern and bright red combs. Temperament: Calm, friendly, quiet Heat/Cold Tolerance: Good heat tolerance / Excellent cold tolerance Productivity: Good layer, up to 200 eggs a year, lays in winter Size: Hens weigh about 7.5 pounds at maturity Chick Color: Dark gray to black with white patches Fun Fact: Barred Rocks, a true American breed, were first shown in a Boston poultry show in 1849. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit