11 Best Large Egg-Laying Chickens: Breeds & Hybrids

If large eggs are high on your wish list, breed and strain matter more than the size of the chicken itself. Some medium-bodied hens regularly produce large or extra-large eggs, while a few very heavy breeds lay only medium eggs.

That is why I would not choose a flock by body size alone. A Minorca is famous for very large white eggs. A Leghorn is much lighter but still produces large to extra-large white eggs. Delaware hens can lay large to jumbo brown eggs, while commercial hybrids such as Lohmann Brown are selected for both egg number and consistent egg weight.

This guide compares 11 breeds and hybrids that are good choices when you want larger eggs, but it also explains an important point: egg size and annual egg count are not the same thing. A hen that lays 300 eggs a year does not automatically lay the biggest eggs in the flock.

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USDA Egg Sizes: What Large, Extra Large, and Jumbo Mean

In the United States, USDA egg-size classes are based on the minimum net weight of a dozen eggs. They are not based on how long or wide an individual egg looks.

USDA size	Minimum net weight per dozen	What it means for backyard keepers
Pee Wee	15 oz	Very small eggs, often seen early in a pullet’s laying life
Small	18 oz	Smaller than the normal recipe standard
Medium	21 oz	Common in young pullets and some smaller breeds
Large	24 oz	The standard size used in most U.S. recipes
Extra Large	27 oz	Noticeably heavier than standard large eggs
Jumbo	30 oz	The heaviest standard consumer egg class

A carton marked “Large” can still contain eggs that differ slightly from one another. The carton simply has to meet the required minimum weight for that size class.

What Actually Determines Chicken Egg Size?

Breed and genetics set the basic potential, but several other factors affect the size of the eggs you collect.

Age: pullets usually start with smaller eggs, then egg weight increases as they mature.
Strain: two hatchery lines of the same breed can differ in egg weight.
Body development: undersized pullets often produce smaller eggs.
Nutrition: a complete layer ration helps a hen reach her genetic potential.
Health: disease, parasites, heat stress, and poor feed intake can affect egg production and egg weight.
Season and molt: laying patterns change through the year.

You should not try to force a hen to produce oversized eggs with extra feed or supplements. Balanced nutrition is the goal. Unusually large eggs can place more strain on the reproductive tract, especially in young pullets.

11 Large Egg-Laying Chickens at a Glance

Chicken	Type	Typical egg color	Egg size	Approx. annual production
Minorca	Breed	White	Very large	140–220
Leghorn	Breed	White	Large to extra large	About 250–300 in strong laying lines
Delaware	Breed	Light brown	Large to jumbo	Up to about 200
Lohmann Brown	Commercial hybrid	Brown	Large to extra large	300+ under commercial performance targets
Welsummer	Breed	Deep reddish brown	Large	Often around 160–220
Barnevelder	Breed	Brown to dark brown	Large	Often around 175–200
Buff Orpington	Breed	Brown	Large to extra large	Often around 175–250
Black Copper Marans	Breed/variety	Dark brown	Large	Often around 150–200
Speckled Sussex	Breed variety	Tan to brown	Large	About 200–250
Silver Laced Wyandotte	Breed variety	Brown	Medium to large, depending on line	Often around 180–250
Golden Comet	Red sex-link hybrid	Brown	Large	Often around 250–300

These numbers are planning ranges, not guarantees. Heritage breeders may select more heavily for breed type and egg color, while commercial strains are often selected for consistent production and egg weight.

1. Minorca

Minorca chicken, a breed known for very large white eggs

If egg size matters more to you than maximum yearly egg count, the Minorca deserves a place near the top of the list.

The Livestock Conservancy describes Minorcas as good layers of very large chalk-white eggs, possibly among the largest white eggs produced by any white-egg breed. Depending on strain, production can range from roughly 140 to 220 eggs per year.

They are large Mediterranean chickens, with standard males around 9 pounds and females around 7.5 pounds. Minorcas are active, alert foragers and usually non-broody.

The trade-off is weather tolerance. Their large combs make them more vulnerable to frostbite in severe cold, so they make the most sense in moderate or warm climates.

2. Leghorn

Leghorn chicken, a productive layer of large white eggs

Leghorns combine two useful traits: high production and large eggs.

Non-industrial Leghorns are listed by the Livestock Conservancy as layers of large to extra-large white eggs. Selected commercial White Leghorn strains can be even more productive.

They are much lighter than many dual-purpose chickens, with heritage females around 4.5 pounds and males around 6 pounds. That efficient body type is one reason Leghorns became so important in the egg industry.

Leghorns are active rather than cuddly. They are usually low in broodiness, so they are a poor choice if your main goal is natural hatching but an excellent choice if you want white eggs.

3. Delaware

Delaware chicken, a dual-purpose breed that lays large to jumbo brown eggs

The Delaware is a strong choice if you want a traditional American dual-purpose breed with unusually good egg size.

Delaware hens lay about four large to jumbo light-brown eggs per week, up to roughly 200 a year. Their plumage is mostly white with black barring in the neck, wings, and tail, not brown streaking.

They are calm, curious birds with enough body size to remain useful as a dual-purpose flock. Broodiness is generally low, so an incubator or another broody hen is often needed if you want chicks.

4. Lohmann Brown

The Lohmann Brown is not a standardized breed. It is a commercial laying hybrid developed for efficient brown-egg production.

Current LOHMANN BROWN-CLASSIC performance goals show average egg weights around 63–64 grams later in the laying cycle, putting many eggs around the large to extra-large range by U.S. weight standards.

Commercial management targets can exceed 300 eggs per hen over an extended laying cycle. A backyard hen may produce fewer because daylight, molt, weather, nutrition, stress, and age are less tightly controlled.

If you want dependable brown eggs rather than a breed that reproduces true, Lohmann Brown is one of the strongest choices on this list.

5. Welsummer

Welsummer hen known for large reddish-brown eggs

The Welsummer is a good choice when you care about both egg size and shell color.

The official Welsummer breed community has long emphasized the breed’s large, rich red-brown eggs. Some eggs are beautifully speckled or mottled.

University of Wisconsin Extension also describes Welsummers as laying large dark-brown eggs. Production is moderate rather than commercial-hybrid level, so this is a bird you choose for the overall package rather than maximum egg numbers.

Welsummers are usually active, useful foragers. Broodiness is not especially strong or consistent, so do not choose them solely because you want a natural mother.

6. Barnevelder

Barnevelder chicken, a Dutch breed known for brown eggs

Barnevelders were developed in the Netherlands and became closely associated with large brown eggs.

The old article incorrectly described their eggs as white. They are brown to dark brown, although shell darkness varies considerably between modern lines.

A useful expectation is around 175–200 eggs per year in many lines. They are slower to mature than commercial hybrids, but they are quiet, attractive chickens and good foragers.

If you buy Barnevelders specifically for dark eggs, ask the breeder about the egg color in the parent flock. Show-focused lines do not always retain the darkest shells.

7. Buff Orpington

Buff Orpington hen that lays large brown eggs

The Buff Orpington is an English breed, not a Dutch breed.

Orpingtons are large dual-purpose birds, with standard males around 10 pounds and females around 8 pounds. The Livestock Conservancy lists their eggs as large to extra large and brown.

They do not usually match a Lohmann Brown or Leghorn for annual output, but many backyard keepers prefer them because they combine good eggs with a calm, friendly temperament and useful broodiness.

If you want a gentle family flock and still care about egg size, Buff Orpingtons make more sense than chasing the highest possible egg count.

8. Black Copper Marans

Black Copper Marans chicken known for large dark-brown eggs

Black Copper Marans are best known for shell color rather than huge annual production.

Good lines produce large, dark-brown eggs, often with a rich chocolate appearance early in the laying cycle. Shell shade can fade as the season progresses.

Many hens produce roughly 150–200 eggs per year, although strain matters. That makes them a moderate layer compared with commercial hybrids.

Choose Marans when you want dark, attractive eggs and a substantial dual-purpose bird, not because you expect an egg every day.

9. Speckled Sussex

Speckled Sussex hen that lays large tan to brown eggs

Speckled Sussex hens are dependable dual-purpose birds that lay large tan to brown eggs.

The Livestock Conservancy gives a typical range of about 200–250 eggs a year, with standard males around 9 pounds and females around 7 pounds.

They are calm and curious and often work well in family flocks. Some hens become broody and can make good mothers.

This is one of the better all-around choices if you want large eggs without moving completely into commercial-hybrid chickens.

10. Silver Laced Wyandotte

The Silver Laced Wyandotte is the least consistent “large egg” choice on this list, because egg size varies noticeably between hatchery and exhibition lines.

Many hens lay good-sized brown eggs, but some current hatchery lines describe the eggs as medium rather than large. That is worth knowing before you buy chicks specifically for egg size.

The breed still has several advantages: a useful dual-purpose body, a rose comb that is well suited to cold weather, a generally manageable temperament, and decent laying ability.

If large eggs are your only goal, Minorca, Leghorn, Delaware, or a commercial laying hybrid is a safer choice. If you also value appearance and cold hardiness, Silver Laced Wyandottes can still fit the flock well.

11. Golden Comet

Golden Comet red sex-link hen that lays large brown eggs

The Golden Comet is a red sex-link hybrid, not a standardized breed.

Current hatchery lines commonly describe Golden Comets as layers of large brown eggs. Hoover’s Hatchery currently lists about 260 large brown eggs a year for its Golden Comet line, while other commercial lines may advertise higher production.

They mature early and are usually easy to manage, which makes them a practical choice for beginners who want eggs more than exhibition breeding.

Like other sex-link hybrids, Golden Comets do not breed true. If you hatch their eggs, the next generation will not reliably reproduce the same color, sex-link pattern, or production traits.

Which Chicken Lays the Biggest Eggs?

Among the chickens in this guide, the Minorca stands out for consistently very large white eggs. The Livestock Conservancy specifically identifies the breed for very large eggs.

Delawares are another strong choice because their eggs can fall into the large-to-jumbo range. Leghorns are especially useful if you want a combination of large egg size and high annual production.

Welsummers deserve special mention too. Serious breeding lines are selected for both size and rich red-brown shell color, and exhibition eggs can be impressively heavy.

Large Eggs vs. Lots of Eggs

It is easy to mix these two goals together.

A Minorca may lay fewer eggs than a commercial brown hybrid, but her individual eggs can be very large. A Lohmann Brown or Golden Comet may give you a fuller egg basket over the year, even if each egg is not as large as the biggest Minorca egg.

For a household flock, decide which matters more:

Biggest individual eggs: Minorca, Delaware, Leghorn, Welsummer.
High number of large eggs: Lohmann Brown, Leghorn, Golden Comet.
Large eggs plus dual-purpose value: Delaware, Orpington, Sussex.
Large eggs with unusual shell color: Welsummer, Black Copper Marans, Barnevelder.

Do Eggs Get Bigger as Hens Get Older?

Usually, yes, especially during the transition from pullet to mature laying hen.

A pullet often begins with small or medium eggs. Over the following months, her egg weight generally increases as her reproductive system and body mature.

Older hens often lay fewer but larger eggs than young pullets. Shell quality may become more difficult to maintain later in life because the same amount of shell material has to cover a larger egg.

You can read more about that early stage in my pullet chicken guide.

Can You Make Chickens Lay Bigger Eggs?

You can help a hen reach her normal genetic potential, but you cannot safely turn a naturally medium-egg breed into a reliable jumbo-egg breed through feeding tricks.

Focus on the basics:

Feed a complete ration appropriate for the bird’s age and laying stage.
Keep clean water available at all times.
Prevent chronic crowding and feeder competition.
Manage parasites and disease promptly.
Keep treats moderate so they do not dilute the main diet.
Offer free-choice calcium such as oyster shell once hens are actively laying.

My chicken feeding guide explains the feeding stages in more detail.

Are Jumbo Eggs Always Better?

Not necessarily.

Large eggs are useful in the kitchen and attractive if you sell eggs locally, but bigger is not automatically healthier for the hen. Very large eggs can be harder to pass, particularly in young pullets, and they require more shell material.

I would rather have a healthy hen consistently laying eggs that are normal for her genetics than push her toward unusually large eggs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chicken lays the largest white eggs?

Minorca chickens are especially well known for very large white eggs. Leghorns also lay large to extra-large white eggs and generally produce more eggs per year.

What chicken lays large brown eggs?

Delaware, Buff Orpington, Speckled Sussex, Golden Comet, Lohmann Brown, Barnevelder, Welsummer, and Black Copper Marans can all produce good-sized brown eggs. Shell shade and exact size vary by line.

What is the difference between large and jumbo eggs?

Under USDA sizing, a dozen Large eggs must weigh at least 24 ounces, while a dozen Jumbo eggs must weigh at least 30 ounces.

Do pullets lay large eggs?

Usually not at first. Many pullets begin with smaller eggs, then egg weight increases as they mature.

Do older hens lay smaller eggs?

Generally the opposite happens. Egg numbers tend to decline with age, but individual egg size often increases.

Does a bigger chicken always lay a bigger egg?

No. Breed genetics and selection matter more than body size alone. Some heavy breeds lay only medium eggs, while lighter Leghorns can produce large or extra-large eggs.

Which chicken gives the best balance of large eggs and high production?

Leghorns are one of the best breed choices. If you are comfortable with commercial hybrids, Lohmann Brown and Golden Comet lines can also provide high numbers of large brown eggs.

Conclusion

The best large egg-laying chicken depends on what else you want from the flock.

Choose Minorcas if very large white eggs are the main goal. Leghorns are hard to beat when you want both large eggs and high production. Delaware, Sussex, and Orpington give you a more traditional dual-purpose flock. Welsummer and Marans add richer brown shell colors, while Lohmann Brown and Golden Comet hybrids are useful when egg numbers matter most.

Whatever you choose, start with good genetics and feed the bird for health rather than trying to force egg size. A mature, well-fed hen will normally produce the egg size her genetics allow.