Are you searching for the proper hen breeds for brown eggs?
When beginning out, it may be intimidating to determine what it is advisable be taught (not to mention perceive and soak up all of it).
Luckily, there are many breeds to select from.
From hardy and dependable Rhode Island Reds to unique Barnevelders and Welsummers, this weblog submit presents an summary of one of the best hen breeds for producing these scrumptious and nutritious giant brown eggs.
Maintain studying to search out out which of them fare one of the best when it comes to egg-laying fee, hardiness in altering climate situations, lifespan, dimension—and rather more!
Greatest Rooster Breeds for Brown Eggs
1. Barnevelder
Fast Breed Profile
The Barnevelder hen is a well-liked and attention-grabbing hen identified for its hanging feather colours, lovely look, egg-laying means, and total good nature.
This breed is principally present in The Netherlands. It originates from the nineteenth century (or earlier, when now we have our first data of the breed).
Barnevelder feathers are double-laced, in order that they seem like darker, blacker Golden-Laced Wyandottes.
It’s frequent to see them as “Black” laced (what resembles the golden-laced wyandotte). Nonetheless, in addition they are available in double silver laced, double laced blue, white, silver blue, and chamois.
There was a partridge selection, but it surely has quietly gone extinct.
Their legs and ft are yellow-brown and infrequently adorned with specks of black or inexperienced.
Barnies have nice personalities; they settle simply into domesticated environments and make wonderful pets and producers (each meat and eggs) for poultry keepers.
Barnevelder Massive Brown Egg Manufacturing
Barnevelders lay giant chocolate brown eggs, producing the deepest, darkest, richest shade of brown eggs on this record.
Most Barnevelder hens will provide 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.
Holding Barnies along with your summer-laying hens could possibly be helpful to make sure you have a gentle provide of huge 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 hen, making them effectively fitted to confinement or grazing on free vary.
In my private expertise, these birds are ridiculously “straightforward keepers,” which means it’s straightforward for them to develop into chubby.
Take note of this, so that you don’t by chance make your birds unhealthy, as I’ve earlier than!
A curious hen, 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 Massive Brown Egg Manufacturing
Barred Plymouth Rock hens lay a mean of 250 to 280 giant brown eggs yearly, making them wonderful for yard egg manufacturing.
First-time layers could solely produce medium-large eggs, however the egg dimension will enhance as she matures.
Many corporations and homesteaders known as Barred Rocks “often” broody.
With that mentioned, practically all of my broody hens from my combined flock have been Barred Rock hens (regardless of that breed usually making up lower than 5% of my flock).
When you’ve got 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 an exquisite, 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 giant, which helps them to face up to a few 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 hen look notably spectacular within the daylight.
It’s additionally rumored that retaining black hens in your flock will thrust 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 wonderful motherly instincts, making them wonderful brooders, sitting on eggs, and paying attention to their new chicks.
Black Australorp Massive Brown Egg Manufacturing
Black Australorp is severely underrated on the subject of egg manufacturing.
The present report for essentially the most eggs laid by certainly one of 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 mild throughout this yr.
Most hens lay 250-309 brown eggs yearly, although you could discover a couple of superstars in your flock who will produce extra.
These eggs are mild brown and medium-large in dimension.
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 great for knowledgeable and newbie hen keepers.
This huge, plump hen is clever and identified to be docile, pleasant, and hardy in colder climates.
Fellow northerners will love how robust they’re in our brutal winters.
Summers could be brutal on them, although, so supply 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 extra 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 Massive Brown Egg Manufacturing
You possibly can usually count on 200 to 280 giant brown eggs per hen per yr.
If you’d like a broody mama on your flock, go along with Buff Orpington.
She is fairly broody and a accountable, attentive mom. Her fluffy skirt can disguise comically giant numbers of chicks, and he or she’s good at retaining her little chicks heat even within the useless of winter.
Be happy to slide eggs from different hens below her when sitting on a clutch as a result of she appears joyful to just accept any chicks she will be able to get.
5. New Hampshire Purple
Fast Breed Profile
The New Hampshire Purple 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 present crimson chickens.
This breed has wonderful winter hardiness, which means hens lay eggs reliably throughout chilly winters.
Be warned that these robust ladies usually are not all the time sort to their flockmates and aren’t afraid to battle to ascertain and maintain their excessive pecking order within the coop.
Apart from that, New Hampshire chickens are straightforward to take care of, sustaining wholesome weights and beautiful feathers.
Their plumage consists of lovely shades of chestnut, mild crimson, and rust crimson, and their under-feathers usually have pale yellow to salmon-colored highlights.
New Hampshire Reds are primarily crimson, however they have been really named after the one who developed them– Professor “Purple” Richardson.
They usually 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 Purple Massive Brown Egg Manufacturing
Most New Hampshire Purple Hens lay 200 giant tinted to mild brown eggs yearly.
They’re additionally extra more likely 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 abilities.
6. Rhode Island Purple
Fast Breed Profile
The Rhode Island Purple 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 saved as farmyard favorites since 1904.
The Rhode Island Purple is a dual-purpose breed, making wonderful laying hens whereas producing ample meat for consumption.
They’ve giant 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 be taught.
They memorize feed schedules rapidly and appear prepared 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 alternative for individuals who wish to kind long-lasting companionship with a few of their hens.
Rhode Island Purple Massive Brown Egg Manufacturing
Many Rhode Island Purple hens will produce 200 to 300 medium to giant mild brown eggs a yr.
The primary eggs that RIR hens lay will probably 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 more likely to go broody than industrial hens. Nonetheless, this will nonetheless be a hit and miss relying on the hatchery you sourced yours from.
7. Rhode Island White
Fast Breed Profile
If you happen to’re like me, the primary time you ever noticed a Rhode Island White, you’ll 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 hen. They develop rapidly, produce flavorful meat and eggs, and have lovely creamy-white feathers.
The birds attain butchering weight sooner than most breeds as a result of their bigger dimension and voracious urge for food.
As well as, this breed is thought for being hardy and difficult below even tough situations, making them excellent for free-ranging.
They’ve even survived chilly winter situations with little intervention from their house owners.
If you happen to’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 record.
Rhode Island White Massive Brown Egg Manufacturing
Rhode Island White hens usually lay 200 to 250 giant to jumbo-sized eggs which can be brown to darkish brown.
It’s not frequent for them to behave broody, although some people could break this rule.
They do a implausible job of laying eggs all through the coldest components of the yr, too, so you possibly can simply maintain a gentle 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 an exquisite copper-red shade all through.
The neck is normally golden brown and should have a contact of lacing.
The physique is darker brown with mild brown to white feather shaft.
The women normally weigh six kilos, however roosters are nearer to seven kilos.
Relating to their temperaments, these chickens are daring, outgoing, curious, and pretty energetic 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 countless leisure with this breed.
For that reason, they want a lot of area; they derive vital advantages from getting access to open areas to forage, play, and discover.
They’re wonderful foragers who can supply portion of their weight loss program and produce giant portions of eggs.
Welsummer Massive Brown Egg Manufacturing
Most Welsummer hens lay 160 to 250 giant, 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 a complete, it’s most likely finest to incubate your fertilized eggs as an alternative.
9. White Plymouth Rock
Fast Breed Profile
The White Plymouth Rock hen, normally simply known as a “White Rock,” is an amazing all-around hen.
She is a dual-purpose breed that’s dependable as a gentle supply of eggs and meat.
This can be a fashionable breed for yard hen retaining and has lovely white coloring.
If you happen to’re going for a diversely coloured flock, she’s a stunning 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 extremely adaptable to various climates, making it well-suited to many areas.
It’s medium to giant in dimension, with hens typically weighing as much as eight kilos or so.
Due to this, they’re well worth the effort to course of in order for you supply of scrumptious meat.
White Plymouth Rock egg manufacturing is pretty spectacular too.
White Plymouth Rock Massive Brown Egg Manufacturing
Most White Plymouth Rocks lay 200 to 300 giant brown eggs yearly, although a choose few could lay greater than 300 a yr if saved in optimum situations.
She acts as and protecting mom. Nonetheless, you’re not more likely to witness this as she not often goes broody.
10. Golden Comet
Fast Breed Profile
Golden Comets, generally known as Purple Stars or Purple Intercourse Hyperlinks, is a hybrid hen that produces staggering quantities of eggs of their first two years of life.
This hybrid is a superb alternative for brand new poultry farmers as they’re hardy, pleasant, and adaptable. They forage effectively however could be saved up if wanted.
These birds usually 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 dimension of 5 to six kilos at twenty weeks outdated.
Golden Comets are bred from a hybrid of two particular chickens: Rhode Island Purple 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 Massive Brown Egg Manufacturing
Golden Comets reliably lay about 330 (or extra) medium-large mild 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 quite a lot of power and sources 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 big portions of protected, wholesome meals within the market. This resulted in uniform traits equivalent to excessive fertility and wonderful 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 good selection for house owners enthusiastic about elevating chickens for his or her meals output and candy companionship.
ISA Brown Massive Brown Egg Manufacturing
Most ISA Brown hens lay 300 giant brown eggs a yr.
Most hens lay for 2 years earlier than their well being dramatically declines– a standard ailment amongst hybrids bred for prime manufacturing.
Since they stay such brief lives, discovering a broody ISA Brown is scarce.
They’re usually sort to neighboring mom hens and chicks within the coop and aren’t more likely 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 wonderful 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 once they go too lengthy with out molting (this difficulty normally kinds itself out naturally once they molt).
They’re nice all-rounder birds that can be utilized for eggs and meat and for retaining different breeds of chickens protected from potential predators. It is because they’re territorial of their area and can battle with predators.
Bovans Brown has a really spectacular output and a robust means to adapt rapidly to any atmosphere.
Bovans Brown Massive Brown Egg Manufacturing
Many Bovan Brown hens will lay round 330 giant brown eggs of their first yr of laying.
Of their second and third years of life, this can drop to a still-impressive 250 to 300 eggs yearly.
It needs to be famous that this hybrid tends to put extra eggs when saved in a colony relatively than free-range– however free-ranging nonetheless produces extra eggs than cage-kept hens.
13. Wyandottes
Fast Breed Profile
Wyandottes are a preferred dual-purpose breed of hen, initially developed in New York and named after an indigenous tribe known 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 enticing birds on farms and smallholdings.
Personally, I don’t contemplate my flock full until I’ve at the least two sorts of Wyandottes in it.
They develop rapidly 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 wonderful foragers.
They’re typically fairly tolerant of climate situations– plus, they have a tendency 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 essentially 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 mates 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 Massive Brown Egg Manufacturing
Most Wyandotte hens will provide you with 200 to 220 giant brown eggs yearly.
Although this isn’t quite a lot of eggs, particularly when in comparison with a few of the different breeds on this record, they make up for it by being extra-broody and wonderful moms.
They forage effectively and educate their chicks– and some other younger pullets of their flock– the right way to efficiently free-range.
14. Brahmas
Fast Breed Profile
Brahma chickens are a formidable heritage breed that originated in India and have been delivered to America in 1852.
These giant birds have a attribute shaggy look, with muffs and beards surrounding their faces.
They’ve massive feathered ft that add to their total spectacular dimension.
They’re hardy birds that may face up to chilly climate and winter higher than most different breeds.
Brahmas are available in mild, darkish, and buff varieties, all with wholesome, thick plumage.
As you possibly can think about, they have 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 youngsters alike.
If you’d like a cute duo, get an enormous Brahma hen as a pet on your toddler, they’ll be about the identical dimension.
Brahma Massive Brown Egg Manufacturing
Most Brahma hens will grace you with over 200 giant brown eggs a yr.
It’s best to observe that it could take as much as seven months for the hens to begin laying eggs, although, so that you’ll want endurance.
On the brilliant facet, they’re implausible moms who often get broody and can lay eggs when most of your different hens don’t– proper within the coldest components of winter.
FAQs on Greatest Rooster Breeds for Brown Eggs
How To Inform an Egg’s Dimension?
Skilled hen keepers might be able to inform an egg’s normal dimension simply by it, however most individuals want a postage or meals scale to make certain.
You can too add a whimsical unbelievable 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), giant (24 ounces), additional giant (27 ounces), and jumbo (30 ounces).
What Dimension Egg Ought to I Use In a Recipe?
Almost all recipes use giant eggs, the usual dimension for cooking and baking.
How Do I Convert Egg Sizes for Recipes?
Massive is the usual dimension used for recipes.
You want three small or two medium eggs to get the equal of two giant eggs.
For the equal of three giant eggs, use 4 small, three medium, three additional giant, or two jumbo eggs.
To equal 4 giant eggs, substitute 5 small, 5 medium, 4 additional giant, or three jumbo eggs.
And lastly, to get the equal of 5 giant eggs, use seven small, six medium, 5 extra-larges, or 5 jumbo eggs.
What’s The Diet Information For a Massive 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, but it surely’s a necessary nutrient that helps rebuild cell membranes.
Most giant 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 Larger Eggs As They Get Older?
Virtually each laying hen begins by laying peewee to small-sized eggs and regularly will increase the dimensions of her eggs with each lay.
Ultimately, she strikes as much as laying giant, additional giant, or jumbo eggs– if she’s a contemporary breed selectively bred for bigger egg sizes.
Hens may also lay greater eggs if she has a heavier physique weight, extra feed, extra protein, or added synthetic lights through the darker months of the yr.
