5 Best Laying Hens for Your Backyard

Best laying hens - Many people are raising laying hens with the aim of obtaining eggs from the chicken. Laying hens produce eggs, which is a rich source of protein. The eggs can be consumed by or sold and the money invested or used to purchase something else. When the hens cannot lay eggs any more, they can be slaughtered and eaten.

Eggs also have various health benefits. They contain vitamins, proteins, essential fats and carbohydrates, plus other important nutrients. Eating eggs, moderately, reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and other diseases and conditions.

best laying hens


When buying best laying hens for their eggs, you should note that not all hens are the same. Some lay eggs that are bigger than those by others, some lay as low as 250 in a year and others as much as 300 in a year, some lay brown eggs while others lays white, some eat more than others, etc. When raising hens, you should therefore know exactly what you want.

Top 5 Best laying Hens Recomendation

Rhode Island Red

best laying hens rhode island redThis best laying hens is my favorite layer. They lay medium size brown eggs with an above average laying rate. Being both cold and heat hardy, Rhode Island Reds are good for any climate. They are easy to care for, adapting well to a penned or free-range environment. Reds are a more aggressive breed so be careful what breeds you place them with. These chickens are a good, dual-purpose breed and are well known for both egg production and meat. If you want a do everything breed, the Rhode Island Red is the one to pick.


Leghorn

best laying hens leghornThe best laying hens available, these chickens lay extra-large white eggs, producing over 300 a year. Even with their smaller size, they make a good dual-purpose chicken; using them for meat, once their laying production declines. If you want a meatier chicken go with the Plymouth Rock. Their egg production is lower but they are a large chicken, with an average weight of 10 pounds. While I prefer brown eggs, I always include a few Leghorns for their terrific laying rates.




Buff Orpington

best laying hens buff orpingtonThis best laying hens has an above average production of large brown eggs. Their friendly nature and cold weather hardiness makes them an excellent beginner chicken.  If you plan to raise chicks, the Orpington is a good brooder and makes an excellent mother. They also make good pets and I wouldn’t have a flock without one or two Orpingtons. However, because of their docile nature, they are picked on so they don’t do well with aggressive breeds.


Black Star

best laying hens black star
This best laying hens are above average layers of large brown eggs and begin laying around five months. They are a hardy breed and easy to raise. These hybrid chickens are a cross between Barred Rock hens and Rhode Island Red roosters. The chicks are easily color sexed, meaning you identify males and females by their color. The males are black while females have gold plumage on their neck and breast. The Black Star is another good beginner breed with a calm nature making them good pets.


Ameraucana

best laying hens ameraucana
Also known as Easter Eggers, these best laying hens  lay eggs in various shades of blue, blue-green, green and cream.  These easy to handle birds lay medium size eggs, are winter hardy and have average to above average egg production. Ameracuanas adapt well to confinement or free range and are calm and non-aggressive making them a good family chicken. Your kids will love collecting the colorful eggs.





Try various breeds for your backyard flock. If you want both meat and best laying hens, I recommend including dual-purpose chickens like the Leghorn, and meat chickens like the Plymouth Rock. A flock of three to four hens gives a family of four an adequate amount of eggs but, I always have a flock of ten, usually more.