Top 17 Brown Egg-Laying Chicken Breeds to Add to Your Flock

Brown egg-laying chicken breeds have been famous among backyard chicken keepers for decades.

These reliable egg layers offer a wide range of shades of brown eggs, from light to dark, which makes for an attractive and diverse collection in your egg basket.

This comprehensive guide will explore the top brown egg-laying chickens, including their origins, primary purposes, egg-laying capabilities, and more. 

So if you’re looking for a chicken that lays brown eggs, read on to discover the best brown egg-laying chicken breeds to add to your flock.

1. Rhode Island Red chicken (Dark Brown Eggs)

The Rhode Island Red chicken originated in the United States during the early 1900s and is a well-known breed of chicken. It is considered a traditional breed. 

Initially, breeders bred them for their dual-purpose capabilities, providing meat and eggs for their keepers.

Rhode Island Red chickens gain recognition for their prolific egg-laying abilities, producing approximately 250-300 large, dark brown eggs annually.

Typically, hens begin laying eggs when they are about 5–6 months old and continue to produce eggs regularly for the rest of their lives. As a result, Rhode Island Red chickens are relatively safe from broodiness.

Rhode Island Red chickens are friendly and sociable, making them ideal for families with children.

They also establish a reputation for their hardiness, demonstrating their ability to withstand cold and heat, making them a versatile option for various climates.

Rhode Island Red hens exhibit a medium size, weighing between 6 and 7 pounds.

They have a distinctive dark red coloration, with a single comb, red wattles, and earlobes. Their legs are yellow, and their skin is yellow as well.

2. Plymouth Rock chicken – Barred Rock (Light to Medium Brown Eggs)

The Barred Rock is a variety of Plymouth Rock chicken, an American breed developed in the mid-1800s. 

They are a famous dual-purpose bird, valued for their meat and egg production.

Plymouth Rock chickens lay large, light to medium brown eggs, producing 4-5 eggs per week, or approximately 200-250 eggs annually. 

They typically begin laying eggs at around 5-6 months and continue to lay consistently throughout their lives. As a result, Plymouth Rock chickens are not especially prone to broodiness.

Plymouth Rock chickens earn recognition for their calm and docile nature, making them an excellent choice for families and backyard flocks. They are cold, hardy, and can tolerate confinement but prefer free-ranging environments.

Plymouth Rock hens are medium to large birds weighing 6-7 pounds. They have a striking black and white barred feather pattern, with a single comb, red wattles, and earlobes. Their legs are yellow, and their skin is yellow as well.

3. Sussex chicken (Light to Medium Brown Eggs)

The County of Sussex in Britain bred Sussex chickens over a century ago, and their history traces back to that time. They have been a popular utility breed in England for their dual-purpose nature, providing meat and eggs.

Sussex hens are excellent egg layers, producing 4-5 large, light to medium brown eggs per week, or around 200–250 eggs annually. 

They may occasionally have some speckling on their eggs. Sussex chickens generally start laying eggs at around 5–6 months and maintain consistent egg production throughout their lives.

Anyone looking to add to their backyard flock should consider Sussex chickens for their friendly and inquisitive temperament. They are cold, hardy, and enjoy free-ranging but can adapt well to confinement.

Sussex hens come in several color varieties, with the most popular being the Light Sussex chicken, which has a white body and black neck and tail feathers. 

The Sussex hens are medium to large birds, weighing 6–8 pounds, with a single comb, red wattles, and earlobes. Their legs are white, and their skin is white as well.

4. Maran chicken (Dark Chocolate Brown Eggs)

Marans chicken is a French breed developed in the port town of Marans chicken, France, in the late 1800s. 

They are best known for their beautiful, dark chocolate brown eggs, making them a sought-after breed for those looking to add a unique color to their egg basket.

Marans chickens lay large, dark chocolate brown eggs, with some hens producing eggs with an almost reddish hue. 

They typically lay 3–4 eggs weekly, or around 150–200 eggs yearly. Maran hens are not particularly prone to broodiness and are reliable layers.

Marans chickens are a calm and adaptable breed, adjusting well to confinement and free-ranging environments. In addition, they are friendly birds, making them an excellent addition to any backyard flock.

Marans chicken comes in several color varieties, with the most popular being the Black Copper Marans chicken, which has a black body with copper-colored feathers around the neck. 

Maran hens are medium to large birds, weighing 6–7 pounds, with a single comb, red wattles, and earlobes. Their legs are white, and their skin is white as well.

5. Welsummer chicken (Terracotta or Dark Brown Eggs)

Welsummer chickens are a Dutch breed originating in the village of Welsum, Netherlands. They are known for their large terracotta or dark brown eggs, often featuring dark speckles.

Welsummer hens lay approximately 3-4 large, dark brown eggs per week, totaling around 150–200 eggs annually. They are not particularly prone to broodiness and maintain consistent egg production.

Welsummer chickens are friendly, calm, and gentle birds, making them an excellent addition to any backyard flock. They are cold, hardy, and enjoy free-ranging environments but can adapt to confinement.

Welsummer hens have a beautiful red partridge color pattern with a single comb, red wattles, and earlobes. Their legs are yellow, and their skin is yellow as well. Their body is medium size, weighing between 5 and 6 pounds.

6. Australorp chicken (Dark Brown Eggs)

The Australorp chicken breed is a cross between the Rhode Island Red chicken and Orpington chicken breeds, developed in Australia in the 1920s. 

They were bred for their egg-laying capacity and adaptability to the Australian climate. Australorp hens are exceptional egg layers, producing around 250-300 large, dark-brown eggs annually. 

They start laying eggs at around 5–6 months and maintain consistent egg production. Australorp chickens are not particularly prone to broodiness.

Australorp chickens are gentle, docile birds well-suited for families with children. In addition, they are cold and heat-hardy, making them a versatile option for various climates.

Australorp hens have beautiful black feathers, a green sheen in sunlight, a single comb, red wattles, and earlobes. Their legs are black, and their skin is white. They are medium to large birds, weighing between 6–7 pounds.

7. Orpington chicken (Light to Medium Brown Eggs)

Orpington chickens are an English breed developed in the town of Orpington, England, in the late 1800s. They are a famous dual-purpose bird, valued for their meat and egg production.

Orpington hens lay large, light to medium brown eggs, producing approximately 3–4 eggs per week or 150–250 eggs yearly. 

They may occasionally have some speckling on their eggs. Orpington chickens generally start laying eggs at around 5–6 months and maintain consistent egg production throughout their lives.

Orpington chickens earn the nickname “Golden Retrievers” of the chicken world due to their friendly and docile nature. They are excellent birds for families with children and are cold-hardy, although they may struggle in hot temperatures.

Orpington chickens come in various colors, the most popular being the Buff Orpington chicken, which is light golden. They are large birds weighing 7–8 pounds, with a single comb, red wattles, and earlobes. Their legs are white, and their skin is white as well.

8. New Hampshire Red chicken (Brown Eggs)

The New Hampshire Red chicken breed was developed in the United States from Rhode Island Red chicken. This breed is an excellent dual-purpose bird, excelling in meat production and egg-laying.

New Hampshire Red hens lay large, brown eggs, producing approximately 4–5 eggs per week, or around 200–250 eggs annually. 

They typically begin laying eggs at around 5–6 months and continue to lay consistently throughout their lives.

If you’re looking for a peaceful and sociable bird to add to your backyard flock, consider the New Hampshire Red chickens. 

People know them for their calm and friendly demeanor. In addition, they are both cold and heat tolerant, making them suitable for various climates.

New Hampshire Red hens have a deep red coloration, with a single comb, red wattles, and earlobes. Their legs are yellow, and their skin is yellow as well. They are medium-sized birds weighing between 6–7 pounds.

9. Delaware chicken (Medium brown Eggs)

The Delaware chicken breed was developed in the United States and was once a staple of the broiler industry. This dual-purpose bird is suitable for both egg and meat production.

Delaware hens lay large, medium brown eggs, producing approximately 4–5 eggs per week, or around 200–250 eggs yearly. They typically begin laying eggs at around 5–6 months and continue to lay consistently throughout their lives.

Delaware chickens have a calm temperament and adapt well to confinement and free-ranging environments. In addition, they are cold and heat-hardy, making them suitable for various climates.

Delaware hens have a white body with black barring on their neck and tail feathers, a single comb, red wattles, and earlobes. 

Their legs are yellow, and their skin is yellow as well. They are medium to large birds, weighing between 6–7 pounds.

10. Faverolle chicken (Cream to Light Brown Eggs)

Faverolle chickens are a French breed known for their unique appearance and dual-purpose capabilities, providing meat and eggs.

The Faverolle hens lay large, cream to light-brown eggs, producing approximately 3–4 eggs per week, or around 150–200 eggs annually. 

They typically begin laying eggs at around 5–6 months and continue to lay consistently throughout their lives.

Faverolle chickens are friendly and docile birds, making them an excellent addition to any backyard flock. They are cold, hardy, although they may struggle in hot temperatures.

Faverolle hens have a unique appearance, with a beard, muffs, and feathered feet. Different colors are available for these birds, but the Salmon Faverolle chicken is the most popular due to its light salmon color. 

These birds weigh 6-7 pounds and possess a medium size. They have a single comb, red wattles, and earlobes. Their legs are feathered and white, while their skin is white.

11. Wyandotte chicken (Brown Eggs)

The Wyandotte chicken breed was developed in New York and Wisconsin in the late 1800s. It is named after the indigenous Wyandot people of North America. 

This dual-purpose breed is valued for both its meat and egg production. Wyandotte hens lay large, brown eggs, producing approximately 4–5 eggs per week, or around 200–250 eggs annually. 

They typically begin laying eggs at around 5–6 months and continue to lay consistently throughout their lives.

Wyandotte chickens are known for their calm and docile nature, making them an excellent choice for families and backyard flocks. Furthermore, they are cold-hardy and enjoy free-ranging environments, but they can also adapt to confinement.

Wyandotte chickens come in various colors, with the most popular being the Silver Laced Wyandotte chicken, which has a beautiful silver and black laced feather pattern. 

They are medium to large birds, weighing 6-7 pounds, with a rose comb, red wattles, and earlobes. Their legs are yellow, and their skin is yellow as well.

12. Barnevelder chicken (Dark Brown Eggs)

The Barnevelder chicken breed originates from the Netherlands and is known for its beautiful feather pattern and dark brown eggs. They are a dual-purpose breed suitable for both meat and egg production.

Barnevelder hens lay large, dark brown eggs, producing approximately 3–4 eggs per week, or around 150–200 eggs annually. 

They typically begin laying eggs at around 5–6 months and continue to lay consistently throughout their lives.

Barnevelder chickens are friendly, calm, and gentle birds, making them an excellent addition to any backyard flock. They are cold, hardy, and enjoy free-ranging environments but can adapt to confinement.

The Barnevelder hens have a beautiful double-laced partridge pattern on their feathers, with a single comb, red wattles, and earlobes. 

Moreover, their legs are yellow, and their skin is yellow as well. Additionally, they are medium-sized birds, weighing between 6-7 pounds.

13. Buckeye chicken (Medium to Dark Brown Eggs)

The Buckeye chicken breed was developed in Ohio, United States, and is named for the Buckeye chicken state tree. This dual-purpose breed is suitable for both meat and egg production.

Buckeye hens lay medium to dark brown eggs, producing approximately 3-4 eggs per week, or around 150-200 eggs per year. They typically begin laying eggs at around 5-6 months of age and continue to lay consistently throughout their lives.

Buckeye chickens are friendly and sociable birds, making them an excellent addition to any backyard flock. They are freezing and hardy and enjoy free-ranging environments but can also adapt to confinement.

Buckeye hens have a mahogany red coloration, with a pea comb, red wattles, and earlobes. Their legs are yellow, and their skin is yellow as well. They are medium-sized birds weighing between 6-7 pounds.

14. Chantecler chicken (Light Brown Eggs)

The Chantecler chicken breed was developed in Canada and is known for its hardiness in cold climates. This dual-purpose breed is suitable for both meat and egg production.

Chantecler hens lay large, light-brown eggs, producing approximately 3-4 eggs per week, or around 150-200 eggs annually. They typically begin laying eggs at around 5-6 months and continue to lay consistently throughout their lives.

Chantecler chickens are calm and gentle birds, making them an excellent addition to any backyard flock. They are extremely cold hardy and enjoy free-ranging environments but can also adapt to confinement.

Chantecler hens come in several color varieties, the most popular being the White Chantecler chicken, which is pure white.

Furthermore, they are of medium size, weighing 6 to 7 pounds, and possess a small cushion comb, red wattles, and earlobes. Additionally, their legs are yellow, and their skin is also yellow.

15. Java chicken (Medium To Dark Brown Eggs)

The Java chicken breed of chickens, one of the oldest in the United States, originated in America. This dual-purpose breed is suitable for both meat and egg production.

Java hens lay medium to dark brown eggs, producing approximately 3-4 eggs per week, or around 150-200 eggs yearly. They typically begin laying eggs at around 5-6 months of age and continue to lay consistently throughout their lives.

Java chickens are calm and gentle birds, making them an excellent addition to any backyard flock. They are cold, hardy, and enjoy free-ranging environments but can also adapt to confinement.

Java hens come in several color varieties, the most popular being the Black Java chicken, which is solid black. They are medium to large birds, weighing 6-7 pounds, with a single comb, red wattles, and earlobes. Their legs are yellow, and their skin is yellow as well.

16. Jersey Giant chicken (Medium brown Eggs)

The United States recognizes the Jersey Giant chicken as one of the largest chicken breeds, thanks to its impressive size. Breeders developed it as a dual-purpose breed for both meat and egg production.

Jersey Giant hens lay medium brown eggs, typically producing around 3-4 eggs per week or approximately 150-200 eggs per year.

They start laying eggs at around 5-6 months of age and continue to lay consistently. Although they are not generally known for being broody, some individuals may display such behavior.

The Jersey Giant chicken breed earns recognition for its gentle and friendly nature, making it an excellent choice for backyard environments and easy to handle. Additionally, they are renowned for their cold hardiness and ability to tolerate various climates.

Jersey Giant chickens are a large breed, with hens weighing between 8-10 pounds. They have a single comb, red wattles, and earlobes.

Their legs are yellow, and their skin is yellow as well. The most common color variety is Black, but they also come in White and Blue varieties.

17. Brahma Chicken (Medium to Light-Brown Eggs)

Brahma chickens come in several color varieties: light, dark, and buff. They originated in the United States and were developed for their meat.

However, they are also good layers, starting at around 6 months of age, and can lay up to 280 brown eggs per year. The eggs are medium to large in size and have a rich, creamy yolk.”

Brahma hens tend to go broody, making them good mothers for hatching and raising chicks. These chickens have a lifespan of around 6-8 years and exhibit a calm and friendly temperament.

These chickens are hardy and can tolerate cold weather well. They have a large body shape, with hens weighing around 8-10 pounds. They have a pea comb, small wattles, yellow legs, and red earlobes. Their skin color is yellow.

FAQs About Brown Egg-Laying Chicken Breed

Which is The Darkest Brown Egg-Laying Chicken?

The Marans chicken, a breed originally from France, is commonly recognized as the chicken that lays the darkest brown eggs.

Their eggs, characterized by a beautiful, deep, chocolate-brown color, often get mistaken for black due to their darkness.

Enthusiasts highly seek Maran eggs due to their rich, earthy tone. The breed comes in various color varieties, including Black Copper, Wheaten, Cuckoo, and Silver.

Which is the Best Brown Egg-Laying Chicken?

The best brown egg-laying chicken depends on egg production, temperament, adaptability, and suitability for different climates. However, the Rhode Island Red chicken is a popular brown egg layer choice. 

Rhode Island Red chickens consistently produce large, brown eggs, showcasing their exceptional egg-laying capabilities.

In addition, they are a hardy breed, adaptable to various environments, and have a calm and friendly disposition, making them a favorite among backyard chicken keepers.

What is the Most Prolific Brown Egg-Laying Chicken?

The most prolific brown egg-laying chicken breed is the Rhode Island Red. This breed earns its reputation for excellent egg-laying abilities by producing around 200-300 large brown eggs annually.

Poultry keepers highly value their eggs for their rich flavor and strong shells, making them a favorite choice for baking and cooking.

However, when it comes to the most prolific brown egg-laying chicken, the ISA Brown is a top contender. It’s important to note that ISA Browns are hybrid chickens; therefore, they do not fall under specific breeds.

Do Brown Chickens Lay Brown Eggs?

Yes, brown chickens do lay brown eggs. The chicken’s breed determines the eggs’ color, and can vary in shade and intensity.

Generally, breeds with red or brown earlobes tend to lay brown eggs, while breeds with white earlobes tend to lay white eggs. 

However, it’s worth noting that some breeds may produce eggs of different colors within the same flock, so there can be exceptions to the norm.

What Chickens Lay Large Brown Eggs?

Several chicken breeds are known for laying large brown eggs. Here are a few examples:

1. Plymouth Rock chicken: Plymouth Rock chickens, also known as Barred Rocks, are dual-purpose chickens that lay large brown eggs. Many people choose this breed for backyard flocks because of their exceptional egg-laying abilities and calm nature.
2. Sussex chicken: Sussex chickens come in various color varieties, including Speckled, Light, and Red. These lovely creatures are famous for producing some of the largest and most beautiful brown eggs ever seen! Not only that, but they’re also highly prized for their easy-going and friendly nature, making them a popular choice among poultry keepers.
3. Australorp chicken: Australorp chickens are initially from Australia and are excellent layers of large brown eggs. It’s fantastic to know that one Australorp hen holds the world record for laying the most eggs in a year! With an impressive 364 eggs laid in 365 days, this chicken has undoubtedly set a high standard for the rest of the poultry world.

Which Chicken Lays a Dark Brown Egg?

As mentioned earlier, the Marans chicken is the breed that lays a dark brown egg. Maran chickens produce dark chocolate brown eggs that can appear almost black.

The unique and stunning appearance of these eggs attracts many people. Marans chickens come in various color varieties, and the darkness of their eggs can vary slightly depending on the individual bird.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are numerous brown egg-laying chicken breeds, each with unique characteristics and egg-production capabilities.

By considering factors such as egg color, size, laying frequency, and the of each breed, you can select the perfect brown egg layers for your backyard flock.

If you’re searching for a breed of chicken that lays brown eggs, many options are available. Whether you want a prolific layer or a specific breed for variety, there will surely be a chicken breed that fits your needs and preferences.