Dear Aggie

I am considering getting chickens. Which breeds lay the most eggs?

We all noticed the high egg prices at the end of last year and the start of this year. This price increase has led a lot of people to consider raising chickens. Although the true costs of raising laying hens and ultimately producing your own eggs, should be considered before making any purchasing decisions, you may still decide that this is something you want to do! If you are just starting to raise chickens, you will need to decide which breed(s) you would like in your flock. There are many to choose from. Similar to dogs or cats, different breeds have differing qualities and needs. Some chicken breeds are used primarily for egg production or meat production and some breeds are what we call “dual-purpose” and can be used for both!

While some chicken breeds lay more eggs per year than others, in general, chickens can lay about 1 egg/day or about every 26 hours. However, this does not explicitly mean that chickens will lay every day. Some breeds known for their high egg production include White Leghorns, Rhode Island Reds, Australorps, and Plymouth Rocks. However, breed isn’t the only factor impacting egg production.

In addition to breed and type, factors like light, nutrition, housing, and health can all impact how many eggs a chicken lays. Hens lay best when exposed to 14-16 hours of daylight per day. This is hard to achieve during the fall & winter, so some people choose to supplement with artificial lighting if they want their hens to stay on a regular egg production schedule. Nutrition can also impact egg production rates. You need to ensure that your hen is getting the nutrition that they need- enough protein, energy, vitamins, minerals, etc. to support good production. How you manage and house your birds, including how much space they have in their coop or enclosure, can also impact their egg counts. Health issues like diseases or parasites can also have a large influence on whether or not your hens are reaching their laying potential.

Although egg laying abilities are certainly important to consider when choosing which breed or breeds may be best for you, there are other important considerations to contemplate before committing. Some breeds are more heat or cold tolerant than others. With our North Country winters, you will want to make sure the breeds you are selecting are capable of handling our weather. Additionally, some people like to have a variety of egg colors. Certain breeds lay white eggs, brown eggs, or even green or blue eggs. Be sure to research what color eggs your favorite breeds lay to maximize your color variety if that is something you are looking for! Other, sometimes overlooked considerations are the variance of temperament and size between different breeds. You’ll want to ensure that you have enough space for the birds you buy.

While egg-laying ability is a driving factor, it shouldn’t be the only element you consider when picking a chicken breed. Do your research, and choose the best chickens for you!

By: Abigail Birchenough, CCE Jefferson’s Dairy & Livestock Specialist

Last updated May 29, 2025