There are a wide variety of poultry breeds reared for egg production around the world.
In this article we highlight some of the most popular layers poultry breeds. Note that this list is not exhaustive. Depending on where you live, it might be you’ve never heard of these breeds. That is why we would like you to leave us a comment and tell us what layers breeds are popular or common in your country.
If you’re just getting started we may interest you in how to pick the best poultry breed .
Most breeds have several chicken color variations . Some color variations can be popular over others. When this is the case, a certain color for a breed can be mistaken as the breed itself.
The breeds’ fact sheets presented below contain color variation when applicable for clarity.
10 popular layers poultry breeds
Leghorn Leghorn rooster and hen Characteristic Detail a.k.a White Leghorn, Livorno, Livornese Origin Tuscanny Appearance Skin: yellow Comb type: single or rose Colors: black, white, brown (light and dark), Rose comb light, rose comb white, single comb buff, silver, red, black-tailed red, and Columbian, rose comb black, buff, silver, and golden duckwing Temperament Calm, flighty Size and weight Hen: up to 2.5 kg Cockerel: up to 3.4 kg Egg production 280 – 320 eggs per year Egg color: white
Leghorn fact sheet Australorp
A flock of Australorp chicks Characteristic Detail a.k.a Black Australorp, Australian Orpington Origin Australia Appearance Skin: white Comb type: single Colors: black, white and blue Temperament Calm Size and weight Hen: up to 3.1 kg Cockerel: up to 4.1 kg Egg production 300+ eggs per year Egg color: brown
Australorp fact sheet Orpington
Buff Orpington hen Characteristic Detail a.k.a – Origin British Appearance Skin: white Comb type: single Colors: black, blue laced, white, buff, red, buff black laced, barred, buff Columbian, and birchen Temperament Friendly Size and weight Hen: up to 3.6 kg Cockerel: up to 4.5 kg Egg production 150 – 200 eggs per year Egg color: brown Purpose Multi purpose: Egg, Meat, Show
Orpington fact sheet New Hampshire
New Hampshire chicken Characteristic Detail a.k.a – Origin American (N.H. White – German) Appearance Skin: yellow Comb type: single Colors: red, white and blue-tailed red Temperament Aggressive Size and weight Hen: up to 3 kg Cockerel: up to 3.9 kg Egg production ~220 eggs per year Egg color: brown Purpose Dual purpose: Egg, Meat
New Hampshire Red fact sheet Plymouth Rock
A Plymouth Rock Hen Characteristic Detail a.k.a Rock, Barred Rock Origin American Appearance Skin: yellow Comb type: single Colors: barred, blue, buff, Columbian, partridge, silver-penciled and white Temperament Calm Size and weight Hen: up to 2.9 kg Cockerel: up to 3.4 kg Egg production ~200 eggs per year Egg color: brown Purpose Dual purpose: Egg, Meat
Plymouth Rock fact sheet Sussex
Speckled sussex hen Characteristic Detail a.k.a – Origin British Appearance Skin: yellow Comb type: single Colors: brown, buff, coronation, light, red, silver, speckled and white Temperament Calm, curious Size and weight Hen: up to 3.2 kg Cockerel: up to 4.1 kg Egg production 180 – 200, some variants: 250 – 300 eggs per year Egg color: tinted Purpose Multi purpose: Egg, Meat, Show
Sussex fact sheet Wyandottes
A Wyandottes hen Characteristic Detail a.k.a American Sebright Origin American Appearance Skin: yellow Comb type: rose Colors: black, blue, blue laced, buff, buff laced, Columbian, golden laced, partridge, red, silver laced, silver penciled, and white Temperament Docile Size and weight Hen: up to 3.2 kg Cockerel: up to 4 kg Egg production 200 eggs per year Egg color: brown Purpose Multi purpose: Egg, Meat, Show Life expectancy 5 -12 years
Wyandottes fact sheet – Learn more about Wyandottes Rhode Island Red
Rhode Island Red Rooster Characteristic Detail a.k.a Rhode Islands Origin American Appearance Skin: yellow Comb type: single or rose Temperament Hardy Size and weight Hen: up to 3 kg Cockerel: up to 3.9 kg Egg production 260 eggs per year Egg color: brown Purpose Dual purpose: Egg, Meat
Rhode Island Red fact sheet Red Sex Link
Characteristic Detail a.k.a Sex Link Origin – Appearance Skin: yellow Comb type: – Temperament Quiet, gentle Size and weight Hen: up to 3 kg Cockerel: up to 3.9 kg Egg production 260 – 300 eggs per year Egg color: brown Purpose Single and dual purpose: Egg, Meat
Red Sex Link fact sheet Ameraucana
Characteristic Detail a.k.a – Origin American Appearance Skin: yellow Comb type: pea Colors: black, blue, blue wheaten, brown red, buff, silver, wheaten and white Temperament Broody Size and weight Hen: up to 2.5 kg Cockerel: up to 2.9 kg Egg production 250 eggs per year Egg color: different shades of blue Purpose Dual purpose: Egg, Meat
Ameraucana fact sheet Further reading
Checkout 10 dual purpose poultry breeds , top 10 chicken breeds for beginners and 10 chicken breeds for your farm , for more information.
You may also fancy Morning Chores’ article on breeds laying upto 300 eggs per year . And who knows, while you are at it, you might be interested in poultry breeds that are reared for ornamental purposes .
