Brown egg laying chickens are extremely sought-after chickens. In the United States, brown eggs are the most popular eggs.
However, according to USDA, there is no nutritional difference between a white and a brown egg.
The brown egg layers tend to be hardy and adaptable, making them ideal for all types of chicken keepers. Let’s take a look at some of the best brown egg layers out there to help you find the right ones for your flock.
Also read: Top chicken breeds that lay colored eggs
Contents
17 Brown Egg Laying Chicken Breeds: Brown Egg Layers
Below is the list of few popular brown egg layer chickens:
1. Australorp Chicken
The Australorp is one of the best brown egg laying chicken breeds available, and it is also a very popular breed in Australia. The Australorp is a large bird with a full, round body and medium-sized tail.
The roosters weigh between 7-9 lbs, while the hens can range from 6-7 lbs. They are an extremely productive breed, laying an average of 250-280 medium to large-sized brown eggs each year.
These chickens have an excellent temperament, being quite docile and friendly towards humans, making them an excellent choice for families.
They are also known to be cold hardy and heat tolerant, making them well suited to many climates. In terms of their lifespan, Australorps can live up to 7 years or longer with proper care.
2. Barnevelder Chicken
This breed originated in Holland and was developed from cross-breeding a variety of chickens including the Braekel, Dorking, and Leghorn chickens. The Barnevelder chicken is a dual-purpose breed that is used for both meat and egg production.
The Barnevelder chicken has several varieties, with the most common being Double Laced, Pencilled, and Single Laced. The weight of an adult rooster is 7.5 to 8.5 lbs, while an adult hen weighs between 5.5 to 6.5 lbs.
This breed lays about 160 to 200 medium-sized brown eggs per year, which makes them an ideal choice for a family who wants fresh eggs throughout the year. The eggs are usually a rich, dark brown color and are relatively large in size.
The Barnevelder chicken is known to have a calm and gentle temperament, which makes them easy to handle. They can be raised in confinement as well as free-range and can live up to 8 years when properly cared for.
3. Lohmann Brown chicken
The Lohmann Brown chicken is one of the best brown egg laying chickens out there. This breed is from Germany, and is popular with both commercial and hobby farms. This breed is known for its hardiness and excellent egg production.
The hens weigh about 4 to 5 pounds, and the roosters about 8 to 9 pounds. The hens lay large brown eggs, with an average of 250 to 300 eggs each year. The eggs are large in size and have a deep brown color.
This chicken breed has an average lifespan of around 7 to 8 years, so you can expect to have plenty of years of egg-laying ahead of them.
As far as temperament goes, these chickens are fairly docile and don’t require a lot of space. They do well in confined areas and won’t cause too much trouble.
4. Brahma Chicken
The Brahma is one of the best brown egg laying chicken breeds and is known for being one of the largest breeds, with roosters weighing up to 12 pounds and hens up to 9.
They are a cold-hardy breed, so they do well in colder climates. The eggs they lay are a large brown color, with some variations depending on the specific variety.
Egg production tends to be lower than other breeds, with about 150–200 eggs per year.
The lifespan of this breed is around seven years, though some may live longer depending on their environment and care. As far as temperament, Brahmas are relatively docile and friendly.
They can get along with other chickens, but due to their size, they may be a bit more aggressive in fights. Brahmas make great pets, and they are often used for exhibition shows.
5. Golden Comet Chicken
The Golden Comet is one of the best brown egg laying chickens on the market. This breed is a hybrid that is known for its high egg production and excellent feed conversion.
The hens reach an average weight of 4–5 pounds, while the roosters are usually 6–8 pounds. They can lay up to 250 large, brown eggs per year and have a lifespan of around 6–10 years.
In terms of temperament, Golden Comets are calm, friendly birds who get along well with other chickens. They are also easy to handle and make good pets, as they are content to be around people.
Although they do not have a tendency to go broody, they can be quite protective of their eggs. All in all, they are great birds to have around your homestead!
6. Buckeye chicken
The Buckeye chicken is often referred to as the best brown egg laying chicken for a variety of reasons.
The Buckeye is an American breed that was created in Ohio in the late 19th century and is known for its hardiness and unique coloration.
It has both a large rooster and hen, with the rooster weighing around 9 lbs and the hen weighing 6.5 lbs.
The Buckeye chickens are very consistent in their egg production, laying between 160–180 eggs each year. The eggs are of medium to large size, and their shells are a dark brown.
Buckeyes have an average lifespan of 8–10 years, and their temperament is friendly and gentle.
7. Sussex Chicken
The Sussex is one of the best brown egg laying chicken breeds out there. They come in a variety of colors, with white being the most popular.
The roosters typically weigh around 9 pounds, and hens around 7 pounds. Sussex chickens are great layers, producing around 200–220 eggs per year.
The eggs are typically a medium to large size and are a light-brown color. The lifespan is around 6–7 years.
8. Delaware Chicken
The Delaware is one of the best brown egg laying chicken breeds, producing around 200 eggs a year. This breed is quite popular for its large size, roosters weighing in at 8 pounds and hens at 6 pounds.
The eggs that this breed produces are a large brown color with creamy yolks. Delawares have an average lifespan of 5–7 years, making them an ideal choice for a backyard flock.
Temperament wise, Delawares are very docile and friendly birds, making them great choices for families with children.
They are also quite calm and not easily frightened by loud noises. They make for good foragers due to their size, so they are great for keeping pests away from your garden.
9. Dominique Chicken
The Dominique chicken is considered one of the best brown egg laying chickens. It is a medium-sized breed that originated in New England in the 19th century. Dominiques are well-known for their hardiness and docile temperaments.
The Dominique rooster typically weighs 6-7 pounds and hens weigh 4–5 pounds. They lay around three brown eggs each week and the eggs are a good size, typically measuring around 55 to 60 grams.
This breed usually has a longer lifespan than other breeds, living up to 8 years or more with proper care.
Overall, the Dominique chicken is a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable brown egg laying breed. These hardy birds will bring many years of joy to any homestead!
10. Rhode Island Reds
The Rhode Island Red is considered to be one of the best brown egg laying chickens, thanks to its good egg production and friendly temperament.
These birds are also a popular choice for backyard chicken keepers because of their size and beauty.
The Rhode Island Red is a large breed chicken, with roosters typically weighing around 8 and hens ranging between 6 and 7 pounds.
This breed has two varieties – Single Comb and Rose Comb – both of which have their own distinctive characteristics.
When it comes to egg production, the Rhode Island Red is one of the top-laying breeds in the world. Hens usually lay between 250 and 300 eggs a year. The eggs are large and can range from light brown to reddish-brown in color.
These chickens also have a relatively long lifespan compared to other breeds, with some hens living up to 10 years.
In terms of temperament, the Rhode Island Red is known for being an adaptable and friendly bird that is easy to handle. They also tend to get along well with other chickens and human caretakers.
11. Jersey Giants
The Jersey Giant is a large, heavy breed of chicken. It is considered one of the best brown egg laying chickens and is often referred to as the king of the heavy breeds.
This breed is actually the largest of all the standard-sized chickens, with roosters typically weighing in at up to 13 lbs and hens around 10 lbs.
The Jersey Giant is a dual-purpose bird that produces large, brown eggs at a good rate of production.
Most hens will lay around 250–300 eggs per year, with some varieties laying upwards of 350. The size of their eggs make them great for baking, with a jumbo egg equaling almost two regular-sized eggs.
These birds are quite hardy and can live upwards of 8–10 years. They also have a gentle temperament, making them great family pets. Jersey Giants are friendly, docile birds that are also very calm and well-mannered.
12. Marans Chicken
The Marans chicken is considered to be one of the best brown egg laying chickens. It’s a French breed that dates back to the 19th century, and is known for its large and unique eggs.
These birds come in a variety of different varieties, including Cuckoo Marans, Golden Cuckoo Marans, Black Copper Marans, and White Marans.
The Marans roosters typically weigh around 8 pounds and hens around 6 pounds. They have a calm, docile temperament that makes them great birds to keep in the backyard or homestead.
In terms of egg production, they lay around 150-200 brown eggs per year, with a large and deep dark brown color. Their lifespan averages around 8 years.
13. New Hampshire
When it comes to choosing the best brown egg laying chicken, the New Hampshire breed is an excellent choice.
This is a hardy, medium-sized breed that is easily recognizable by its reddish brown feathers. They are also known for their hardiness and ability to tolerate cold climates.
The New Hampshire rooster typically weighs around 8 pounds and the hen weighs around 6 pounds.
These chickens are well known for their excellent egg production, often laying up to 200 or more eggs in a single year. The eggs produced are usually of a medium size, usually about 2 ounces in weight.
In terms of lifespan, the New Hampshire chickens can live up to 7 years if kept in ideal conditions. They are also known for their friendly and docile nature, which makes them a great addition to any flock.
14. Orpington Chicken
The Orpington is widely known as one of the best brown egg laying chicken breeds. It comes in a variety of colors and is an ideal breed for both backyard chickens and farmers alike.
Orpingtons are hardy birds that can thrive in various climates and are relatively easy to take care of. They are a larger breed of chicken, with roosters typically weighing 8–10 pounds and hens 6–8 pounds.
The Orpington is a dual-purpose bird that is known for producing large brown eggs in abundance. Each hen lays around 150–200 eggs per year.
The eggs themselves are on the larger side, averaging 2 ounces each. The lifespan of an Orpington is 8–10 years if properly cared for.
The Orpington is also known for its friendly and docile temperament. This makes them a great family pet, and they tend to get along well with other animals.
They are also relatively quiet chickens, making them ideal for urban or suburban areas.
15. Wyandotte Chicken
The Wyandotte is a popular brown egg laying chicken that is well known for its hardy nature, easy to manage size and exceptional egg production.
These chickens come in a variety of colors and sizes, making them perfect for any backyard flock.
The standard Wyandotte rooster usually weighs in around 8–9 pounds, while the hens weigh slightly less at 6–7 pounds.
Wyandottes are great layers, usually producing 4 large to extra-large brown eggs per week. Their eggs are often larger than other chickens and are known for their deep, rich flavor.
16. Plymouth Rock
The Plymouth Rock is often referred to as the best brown egg laying chicken. This classic American breed is a dual-purpose chicken, meaning it can be used for both meat and eggs.
Plymouth Rocks come in six varieties – Barred, Buff, Columbian, Partridge, Silver Penciled, and White – and all are valued for their hardiness and ability to thrive in a variety of conditions.
When it comes to weight, Plymouth Rock roosters can weigh up to 9.5 pounds and hens can reach 8 pounds. As for egg production, the Plymouth Rock is one of the most reliable breeds for laying large brown eggs on a consistent basis.
On average, a Plymouth Rock will lay up to 200 eggs per year! These chickens also lay larger-than-average eggs, usually weighing up to 2 ounces each.
The Plymouth Rock chicken is known to be an excellent family bird; these chickens tend to be gentle, sociable, and quite tame around people. They have a longer than average lifespan – up to 10 years if cared for properly – which makes them ideal for a backyard flock.
17. Sex-link Chickens
When it comes to the best brown egg laying chickens, sex-link chickens are one of the most popular choices.
These chickens are a hybrid cross between two purebreds, usually a Rhode Island Red or New Hampshire rooster crossed with a Barred Plymouth Rock or White Rock hen. They are known for their robust health and consistent egg production.
These chickens have excellent egg production, laying up to 250 eggs per year. Their eggs are medium-sized and typically brown, though some varieties may lay light-brown or tinted eggs.
Sex-link chickens have an average lifespan of around 10 years, making them a great choice for those looking for a long-term chicken breed.
When it comes to temperament, sex-link chickens are fairly calm and docile. They do well when kept in a flock and are not prone to aggression.
Conclusion
When choosing the best brown egg laying chicken for your flock, there are a few factors to consider.
You’ll want to consider the size and temperament of the breed, as well as their average egg production rate and feed requirements.
Some popular breeds that produce quality brown eggs include Rhode Island Reds, Marans, and Welsummers.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which brown egg laying chicken breed is best for you and your backyard flock!
