Are you searching for the proper hen breeds for brown eggs?
When beginning out, it may be intimidating to determine what you could study (not to mention perceive and take up all of it).
Thankfully, there are many breeds to select from.
From hardy and dependable Rhode Island Reds to unique Barnevelders and Welsummers, this weblog publish presents an outline of the perfect hen breeds for producing these scrumptious and nutritious massive brown eggs.
Preserve studying to search out out which of them fare the perfect when it comes to egg-laying price, hardiness in altering climate situations, lifespan, measurement—and far more!
Finest Hen Breeds for Brown Eggs
1. Barnevelder
Fast Breed Profile
The Barnevelder hen is a well-liked and attention-grabbing chicken identified for its putting feather colours, stunning look, egg-laying skill, and total good nature.
This breed is principally present in The Netherlands. It originates from the nineteenth century (or earlier, when we’ve our first information of the breed).
Barnevelder feathers are double-laced, so that they seem like darker, blacker Golden-Laced Wyandottes.
It’s widespread to see them as “Black” laced (what resembles the golden-laced wyandotte). Nonetheless, additionally they are available in double silver laced, double laced blue, white, silver blue, and chamois.
There was a partridge selection, however it has quietly gone extinct.
Their legs and toes are yellow-brown and sometimes adorned with specks of black or inexperienced.
Barnies have nice personalities; they settle simply into domesticated environments and make glorious pets and producers (each meat and eggs) for poultry keepers.
Barnevelder Giant Brown Egg Manufacturing
Barnevelders lay massive chocolate brown eggs, producing the deepest, darkest, richest shade of brown eggs on this checklist.
Most Barnevelder hens provides you with three to 4 eggs every week, totaling round 156 to 208 eggs per yr– with a lot of the eggs coming within the winter.
Maintaining Barnies together with your summer-laying hens might be helpful to make sure you have a gradual provide of enormous brown eggs all yr.
2. Barred Plymouth Rock
Fast Breed Profile
The Barred Plymouth Rock is a breed of hen identified for its distinctive black and white barred feathers.
The Barred Plymouth Rock is an adaptable chicken, making them effectively fitted to confinement or grazing on free vary.
In my private expertise, these birds are ridiculously “straightforward keepers,” that means it’s straightforward for them to develop into obese.
Take note of this, so that you don’t by accident make your birds unhealthy, as I’ve earlier than!
A curious chicken, the Barred Rock enjoys human firm; many don’t thoughts being picked up and carried round by youngsters or adults.
Their docile nature permits them to get alongside simply with different hens within the flock.
All in all, the Barred Plymouth Rock hen is a perfect addition to any yard or homestead.
Barred Plymouth Rock Giant Brown Egg Manufacturing
Barred Plymouth Rock hens lay a median of 250 to 280 massive brown eggs yearly, making them glorious for yard egg manufacturing.
First-time layers could solely produce medium-large eggs, however the egg measurement will enhance as she matures.
Many firms and homesteaders referred to as Barred Rocks “often” broody.
With that mentioned, almost all of my broody hens from my blended flock had been Barred Rock hens (regardless of that breed sometimes making up lower than 5% of my flock).
In case you have Barred Rocks, I’d love so that you can weigh in on this within the feedback, please!
3. Black Australorp
Fast Breed Profile
The Black Australorp is a ravishing, regal-looking breed of hen initially developed in Australia.
They’re effectively suited to heat and funky climates as they’re well-feathered and comparatively massive, which helps them to resist a number of the harshest situations.
Free vary can attain as much as 8 kilos, making them good meat birds.
The Black Australorp’s black feathers have a sheen making the chicken look significantly spectacular within the daylight.
It’s additionally rumored that preserving black hens in your flock will beat back some birds of prey as a result of they resemble ravens and crows (who’re pure enemies of hawks, owls, eagles, and falcons).
These chickens are identified for his or her docile temperament, making them straightforward to deal with and nice companions in the event you’re searching for pets.
Lastly, they exhibit glorious motherly instincts, making them glorious brooders, sitting on eggs, and paying attention to their new chicks.
Black Australorp Giant Brown Egg Manufacturing
Black Australorp is severely underrated in the case of egg manufacturing.
The present document for probably the most eggs laid by one in all these hens is 364 eggs in a 365-day (one-year) span.
What’s most exceptional about this hen is that she was NOT given any supplemental gentle throughout this yr.
Most hens lay 250-309 brown eggs yearly, although chances are you’ll discover just a few superstars in your flock who will produce extra.
These eggs are gentle brown and medium-large in measurement.
Most hens will stay to be six to 10 years outdated however will cease or considerably gradual their egg manufacturing of their third or fourth yr.
4. Buff Orpington
Fast Breed Profile
The Buff Orpington is a well-liked and reliable hen breed.
It has decorative worth in addition to quite a few sensible functions.
The yellow (buff) breed is superb for knowledgeable and newbie hen keepers.
This massive, plump chicken is clever and identified to be docile, pleasant, and hardy in colder climates.
Fellow northerners will love how powerful they’re in our brutal winters.
Summers could be brutal on them, although, so provide them loads of shade and contemporary cool water.
The Buff Orpington was first bred within the 1800s. They’re a cross between the Plymouth Rock (talked about above) and the Langshan, with further Barb affect, making it an outdated however dependable hen selection for connoisseurs of various breeds.
As an egg layer, Buff Orpingtons are extremely productive.
Buff Orpington Giant Brown Egg Manufacturing
You possibly can sometimes count on 200 to 280 massive brown eggs per hen per yr.
If you would like a broody mama in your flock, go along with Buff Orpington.
She is fairly broody and a accountable, attentive mom. Her fluffy skirt can cover comically massive numbers of chicks, and he or she’s good at preserving her little chicks heat even within the useless of winter.
Be at liberty to slide eggs from different hens below her when sitting on a clutch as a result of she appears joyful to simply accept any chicks she will be able to get.
5. New Hampshire Crimson
Fast Breed Profile
The New Hampshire Crimson is a widely known breed of hen appreciated for its hardiness and enormous egg manufacturing.
It was developed within the early 1900s in New Hampshire to enhance the productive qualities of current purple chickens.
This breed has glorious winter hardiness, that means hens lay eggs reliably throughout chilly winters.
Be warned that these powerful women are usually not at all times type to their flockmates and aren’t afraid to battle to determine and maintain their excessive pecking order within the coop.
Aside from that, New Hampshire chickens are straightforward to look after, sustaining wholesome weights and lovely feathers.
Their plumage consists of gorgeous shades of chestnut, gentle purple, and rust purple, and their under-feathers sometimes have pale yellow to salmon-colored highlights.
New Hampshire Reds are primarily purple, however they had been really named after the one that developed them– Professor “Crimson” Richardson.
They sometimes weigh round six kilos and attain maturity at about eighteen weeks.
Farmers have used them for many years for meat, eggs, and companionship.
New Hampshire Crimson Giant Brown Egg Manufacturing
Most New Hampshire Crimson Hens lay 200 massive tinted to gentle brown eggs yearly.
They’re additionally extra prone to go broody and take nice care of their chicks if allowed to hatch them.
Pasture-raised, heritage egg producers usually select Rhode Island Reds and New Hampshire Reds due to their egg-laying and foraging expertise.
6. Rhode Island Crimson
Fast Breed Profile
The Rhode Island Crimson is a breed of hen hailing from the state of Rhode Island within the US.
These fairly birds are famend for his or her hardy temperaments and have been stored as farmyard favorites since 1904.
The Rhode Island Crimson is a dual-purpose breed, making glorious laying hens whereas producing enough meat for consumption.
They’ve massive reddish-brown our bodies and weigh six and a half kilos as hens. Roosters are nearer to eight and a half kilos, often extra.
These chickens could be extraordinarily pleasant and are fast to study.
They memorize feed schedules shortly and appear keen to bond with their favourite individuals.
These birds can stay as much as eight to 10 years if correctly taken care of.
This makes them a superb selection for individuals who wish to kind long-lasting companionship with a few of their hens.
Rhode Island Crimson Giant Brown Egg Manufacturing
Many Rhode Island Crimson hens will produce 200 to 300 medium to massive gentle brown eggs a yr.
The primary eggs that RIR hens lay shall be nearer to medium-sized; as they mature, their eggs will incrementally get bigger.
Industrial RIR hens lay barely extra eggs than heritage hens, however heritage hens boast barely higher high quality meat.
Heritage hens are additionally extra prone to go broody than industrial hens. Nevertheless, this could nonetheless be a hit and miss relying on the hatchery you sourced yours from.
7. Rhode Island White
Fast Breed Profile
In case you’re like me, the primary time you ever noticed a Rhode Island White, you could have incorrectly assumed she was a Leghorn.
The Rhode Island White might not be the preferred hen breed. Nonetheless, it is a useful asset to homesteads and small farms.
Originating in 1904 on a Rhode Island farm, Rhode Island White chickens are a superb dual-purpose chicken. They develop shortly, produce flavorful meat and eggs, and have stunning creamy-white feathers.
The birds attain butchering weight quicker than most breeds on account of their bigger measurement and voracious urge for food.
As well as, this breed is thought for being hardy and hard below even tough situations, making them good for free-ranging.
They’ve even survived chilly winter situations with little intervention from their house owners.
In case you’re searching for a reliable breed of hen for homesteading or small-scale farming functions, the Rhode Island White needs to be close to the highest of your checklist.
Rhode Island White Giant Brown Egg Manufacturing
Rhode Island White hens usually lay 200 to 250 massive to jumbo-sized eggs which might be brown to darkish brown.
It’s not widespread for them to behave broody, although some people could break this rule.
They do a improbable job of laying eggs all through the coldest elements of the yr, too, so you possibly can simply maintain a gradual stream of protein for your self (and your neighbors).
8. Welsummer
Fast Breed Profile
The Welsummer hen is a breed hailing from the Netherlands.
It’s usually recognized by its distinctive markings that evoke the look of an orange-spangled solar and are a ravishing copper-red shade all through.
The neck is often golden brown and should have a contact of lacing.
The physique is darker brown with gentle brown to white feather shaft.
The women often weigh six kilos, however roosters are nearer to seven kilos.
Concerning their temperaments, these chickens are daring, outgoing, curious, and pretty lively in comparison with many different breeds, offering loads of exercise from daybreak to nightfall.
Individuals who take pleasure in watching their flock from their porch or kitchen window could have limitless leisure with this breed.
For that reason, they want a number of area; they derive vital advantages from getting access to open areas to forage, play, and discover.
They’re glorious foragers who can supply a great portion of their weight-reduction plan and produce massive portions of eggs.
Welsummer Giant Brown Egg Manufacturing
Most Welsummer hens lay 160 to 250 massive, wealthy terra cotta brown eggs yearly.
Many of those eggs have darkish speckles within the bloom, which you’ll depart on or wipe off with a humid dishcloth.
Welsummers are notoriously unhealthy moms.
They seldom go broody, however those that hatch eggs don’t take excellent care of their chicks – she could deliberately “lose” them.
In fact, some exceptions apply for people, however as an entire, it’s in all probability greatest to incubate your fertilized eggs as a substitute.
9. White Plymouth Rock
Fast Breed Profile
The White Plymouth Rock hen, often simply referred to as a “White Rock,” is an amazing all-around hen.
She is a dual-purpose breed that’s dependable as a gradual supply of eggs and meat.
This can be a fashionable breed for yard hen preserving and has stunning white coloring.
In case you’re going for a diversely coloured flock, she’s a beautiful addition.
The breed originated within the mid-Fifties within the Northeastern United States, and its personalities are identified to be calm and docile.
The White Plymouth Rock is very adaptable to various climates, making it well-suited to many areas.
It’s medium to massive in measurement, with hens usually weighing as much as eight kilos or so.
Due to this, they’re well worth the effort to course of if you need a great supply of scrumptious meat.
White Plymouth Rock egg manufacturing is pretty spectacular too.
White Plymouth Rock Giant Brown Egg Manufacturing
Most White Plymouth Rocks lay 200 to 300 massive brown eggs yearly, although a choose few could lay greater than 300 a yr if stored in optimum situations.
She acts as a great and protecting mom. Nonetheless, you’re not prone to witness this as she not often goes broody.
10. Golden Comet
Fast Breed Profile
Golden Comets, typically referred to as Crimson Stars or Crimson Intercourse Hyperlinks, is a hybrid hen that produces staggering quantities of eggs of their first two years of life.
This hybrid is a superb selection for brand spanking new poultry farmers as they’re hardy, pleasant, and adaptable. They forage effectively however could be stored up if wanted.
These birds sometimes develop quick if effectively nourished, reaching 4 to 5 kilos at sixteen to eighteen weeks.
They even develop bigger if allowed to proceed rising till their full measurement of 5 to six kilos at twenty weeks outdated.
Golden Comets are bred from a hybrid of two particular chickens: Rhode Island Crimson hens and White Plymouth Rock roosters. This provides them sturdy egg-laying and meat-producing genetics.
The Golden Comet hen is unquestionably price exploring as a hen keeper.
Golden Comet Giant Brown Egg Manufacturing
Golden Comets reliably lay about 330 (or extra) medium-large gentle brown eggs throughout their first two years.
Within the third yr, this manufacturing considerably drops off.
This hen solely naturally lives previous her third or fourth birthday as a result of heavy egg-laying takes a whole lot of power and assets from her physique.
It’s uncommon for a Golden Comet to be broody or take an curiosity in chicks; she’s simply too busy laying her plethora of eggs.
11. ISA Brown 
Fast Breed Profile
The ISA Brown is a hybrid, not a real “breed.” She is well-suited for meat and egg manufacturing, although most individuals maintain them for eggs.
The ISA Brown was created to fulfill the necessity for giant portions of protected, wholesome meals within the market. This resulted in uniform traits reminiscent of excessive fertility and glorious feed conversion effectivity.
They’re straightforward to tame and good foragers, capable of finding their very own meals when correctly tended.
The ISA Brown makes a sensible choice for house owners concerned about elevating chickens for his or her meals output and candy companionship.
ISA Brown Giant Brown Egg Manufacturing
Most ISA Brown hens lay 300 massive brown eggs a yr.
Most hens lay for 2 years earlier than their well being dramatically declines– a typical ailment amongst hybrids bred for top manufacturing.
Since they stay such brief lives, discovering a broody ISA Brown is scarce.
They’re sometimes type to neighboring mom hens and chicks within the coop and aren’t prone to bully newly hatched chicks.
12. Bovans Brown 
Fast Breed Profile
Bovans Brown chickens are a hardy breed that was just lately developed within the twenty first century.
Famous for his or her glorious egg-laying capabilities, they’re fashionable in industrial areas and backyards.
Bovans Brown chickens have reddish-brown feathers with darkish facial striping.
They’re liable to matting after they go too lengthy with out molting (this situation often types itself out naturally after they molt).
They’re nice all-rounder birds that can be utilized for eggs and meat and for preserving different breeds of chickens protected from potential predators. It’s because they’re territorial of their area and can battle with predators.
Bovans Brown has a very spectacular output and a robust skill to adapt shortly to any setting.
Bovans Brown Giant Brown Egg Manufacturing
Many Bovan Brown hens will lay round 330 massive brown eggs of their first yr of laying.
Of their second and third years of life, this may drop to a still-impressive 250 to 300 eggs yearly.
It needs to be famous that this hybrid tends to put extra eggs when stored in a colony moderately than free-range– however free-ranging nonetheless produces extra eggs than cage-kept hens.
13. Wyandottes
Fast Breed Profile
Wyandottes are a well-liked dual-purpose breed of hen, initially developed in New York and named after an indigenous tribe referred to as the Wyandot Native People.
There are a number of varieties, from Silver Laced to Gold Laced to the up-and-coming Blue Laced Reds and Blue Laced Golds.
Their feathers show a number of colours, making them engaging birds on farms and smallholdings.
Personally, I don’t contemplate my flock full until I’ve at the very least two kinds of Wyandottes in it.
They develop shortly and attain maturity between 18 and 20 weeks outdated, with the male birds rising to 7 to eight kilos whereas the females can attain as much as 6 to 7 kilos.
Along with being nice layers and fast-growing birds, Wyandottes are additionally glorious foragers.
They’re usually fairly tolerant of climate situations– plus, they have an inclination to get together with most different breeds in bigger flocks.
They don’t tolerate bullies, although, and are fast to place imply hens of their place. For probably the most half, they rank comparatively excessive within the pecking order.
They’re good to tolerate toddlers and young children, too, with some hens even turning into shut associates with their favourite little people.
With all these qualities mixed, it’s no shock that Wyandottes make for fascinating pets and nice egg producers.
Wyandotte Giant Brown Egg Manufacturing
Most Wyandotte hens provides you with 200 to 220 massive brown eggs yearly.
Although this isn’t a whole lot of eggs, particularly when in comparison with a number of the different breeds on this checklist, they make up for it by being extra-broody and glorious moms.
They forage effectively and educate their chicks– and another younger pullets of their flock– methods to efficiently free-range.
14. Brahmas
Fast Breed Profile
Brahma chickens are a powerful heritage breed that originated in India and had been dropped at America in 1852.
These massive birds have a attribute shaggy look, with muffs and beards surrounding their faces.
They’ve large feathered toes that add to their total spectacular measurement.
They’re hardy birds that may stand up to chilly climate and winter higher than most different breeds.
Brahmas are available in gentle, darkish, and buff varieties, all with wholesome, thick plumage.
As you possibly can think about, they had been initially bred for his or her meat however have just lately transitioned to be a dual-purpose or egg-specific breed.
Nonetheless, they weigh round eight kilos as hens and ten kilos as fully-matured roosters.
Identified for his or her docile temperaments, Brahmas make terrific household or pet chickens that love being round individuals and kids alike.
If you would like a cute duo, get a giant Brahma hen as a pet in your toddler, they’ll be about the identical measurement.
Brahma Giant Brown Egg Manufacturing
Most Brahma hens will grace you with over 200 massive brown eggs a yr.
It is best to be aware that it could take as much as seven months for the hens to start out laying eggs, although, so that you’ll want endurance.
On the brilliant aspect, they’re improbable moms who often get broody and can lay eggs when most of your different hens don’t– proper within the coldest elements of winter.
FAQs on Finest Hen Breeds for Brown Eggs
How To Inform an Egg’s Dimension?
Skilled hen keepers could possibly inform an egg’s basic measurement simply by taking a look at it, however most individuals want a postage or meals scale to make certain.
You too can add a whimsical unimaginable egg scale to your kitchen counter to be additional positive of the dimensions.
How Many Egg Sizes Are There?
There are six official egg sizes: peewee (15 ounces), small (18 ounces), medium (21 ounces), massive (24 ounces), additional massive (27 ounces), and jumbo (30 ounces).
What Dimension Egg Ought to I Use In a Recipe?
Almost all recipes use massive eggs, the usual measurement for cooking and baking.
How Do I Convert Egg Sizes for Recipes?
Giant is the usual measurement used for recipes.
You want three small or two medium eggs to get the equal of two massive eggs.
For the equal of three massive eggs, use 4 small, three medium, three additional massive, or two jumbo eggs.
To equal 4 massive eggs, substitute 5 small, 5 medium, 4 additional massive, or three jumbo eggs.
And lastly, to get the equal of 5 massive eggs, use seven small, six medium, 5 extra-larges, or 5 jumbo eggs.
What’s The Vitamin Data For a Giant Brown Egg?
A big brown egg is about 70 energy with 6 grams of protein, 5 grams of fats (1.5 grams of saturated fats), 185 milligrams of ldl cholesterol, and 70 milligrams of sodium.
They’ve 13 important nutritional vitamins and minerals too.
Most individuals don’t find out about choline but, however it’s a necessary nutrient that helps rebuild cell membranes.
Most massive brown eggs have about 100 milligrams of choline.
Are Pasture-Raised Eggs More healthy?
Scientists agree that pasture-raised eggs are more healthy. They’ve higher Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and fatty acid composition than caged eggs.
Do Hens Lay Greater Eggs As They Get Older?
Virtually each laying hen begins by laying peewee to small-sized eggs and progressively will increase the dimensions of her eggs with each lay.
Finally, she strikes as much as laying massive, additional massive, or jumbo eggs– if she’s a contemporary breed selectively bred for bigger egg sizes.
Hens may also lay larger eggs if she has a heavier physique weight, extra feed, extra protein, or added synthetic lights through the darker months of the yr.
