A review of the best laying hens with photos and names

Backyard chicken owners raising eggs need to purchase high-production breeds. This isn't easy, as farmed birds, like garden crops, only thrive in a specific climate. For example, not every individual will lay eggs in Siberian conditions. Let's find out which crosses are most profitable to breed.

Characteristics of egg-laying hens

When choosing a high-quality laying breed, keep in mind that most are not suitable for meat production. Both sexes are light in weight and mature early. Females begin laying eggs at 4 months. Meat-producing hens begin laying eggs at 7 months.

When breeding laying hens, specialists do not pay attention to the volume and quality of meat, taking into account only the egg indicators.

A breed can be called an egg-laying one if:

• The weight of a rooster is within 3 kg, and that of a hen is from 2 to 2.2 kg.
• The birds are restless. They are very active and mobile.
• Hens have a high appetite because they require constant nourishment. They normally produce one egg every 25 hours. To replenish the energy and calories expended, the female needs food.

The egg production of any hen is directly related to the number of eggs she lays. This characteristic begins in the chick and remains constant throughout the bird's life. Egg-laying hens can have up to 4,000 eggs; this is the normal range. However, this doesn't mean that a single individual can lay that many eggs. After all, a laid egg can take up to 15 years to fully develop, and most birds don't live that long or are kept on a farm.

All varieties reach peak egg production at 3-4 years of age. After this point, females become less productive, so they are culled at hatcheries.

On average, commercial egg-laying hens should produce 220 eggs per year. However, records do exist. For example, a Leghorn hen produced 361 eggs.

The best egg-laying breeds

It's important to keep in mind that the quality of eggs produced depends on the conditions in which the hens are raised and the skill of the owners. First and foremost, the birds are affected by climate conditions. For example, not every individual will lay eggs in the Urals or the Moscow region. However, there are hens bred specifically for backyard breeding.

Loman Brown

A hen can produce 300 eggs per year. Typically, in a private farm, this number is limited to 280. Each egg weighs 60 g. This hen is one of the earliest laying hens. The first egg is produced at 134 days of age. She becomes a full-fledged egg-layer at 180 days.

However, this breed does have a downside. A female can lay eggs for only 80 weeks, while other varieties can lay for 140 days longer. After this time, egg-laying ability declines significantly. Keeping such birds on a factory farm is unprofitable, so the older flock is culled.

Breeding this breed is not difficult. The chicken is undemanding regarding temperature and nutrition. Keeping the birds in cages does not reduce egg production.

Russian white

As its name suggests, this cross is best suited to domestic conditions. The chickens are calm and active.

These small birds have white plumage and a large, side-tilted comb. A hen produces 285 eggs per year, each weighing 65 grams.

The Russian White is best bred in the Moscow region and other cooler areas, as it doesn't require any special conditions. The young have a 95% survival rate. The bird is resistant to chicken diseases. In appearance, it closely resembles the Leghorn breed. Females weigh 1.8 kg, and males 2.2 kg.

The quality of nutrition is crucial for chickens. Failure to provide mineral supplements can lead to decreased egg production.

Leghorn

Leghorns originated in Italy. Russian specialists spent several years improving the birds' productivity, but the results remained unchanged. Crossbreeding continues, but even in its original form, the breed is widespread in many countries. It is raised on poultry farms, in private farms, and on breeding farms.

The breed was developed through multi-stage selection. This explains its excellent egg production. Today, this chicken is popular among both domestic and foreign farmers.

The breed includes various subspecies, but the most popular is the white one. A hen lays up to 300 eggs per year, weighing 58 g.

Females begin to lay eggs at the age of 4-4.5 months, but full physiological maturity occurs at 5 months.

A hen weighs 1.6 kg, and a rooster weighs 2.6 kg. A female's productivity peaks in the first year of life. After that, productivity declines. In commercial farms, such individuals are culled.

Leghorns are characterized by the following external features:

• triangular body shape with the apex at the head, as in all traditional breeds;
• a slightly elongated and toned body with a convex and developed chest;
• a small head with a voluminous leaf-shaped comb (roosters have a hanging comb, hens have an upright comb);
• long, slightly curved neck, developed wings and tail;
• dense feathers, usually white, but also fawn, blue and speckled.

The price of a young bird depends on its age. Month-old hens and cockerels cost around 250 rubles each. At 4-5 months, they'll cost 500 rubles. Hatching eggs sell for 30-40 rubles each, depending on the location.

During the course of selection, the breed lost its brooding instinct.

It's believed that chickens are best kept in cages. They require limited space with good lighting. This breed is profitable to raise because it requires little feed. The bird consumes as much food as its body requires, but no more. However, there is one requirement: the feed must contain minerals, and the drinking water in the waterers must be clean.

Adler silver

This breed is named after the city where it originated. It is considered both an egg and meat breed.

These individuals are characterized by sparse and smooth plumage, which is why they thrive in temperatures of 37-40 degrees Celsius. It's no wonder the breed is so popular in the south.

Since its introduction, the chicken has adapted to a variety of climates, which is why it is bred in all regions of the former USSR. However, it only lays eggs in comfortable conditions. It requires a range, and not just a lack of space. Chickens forage for their own protein.

Under high-quality breeding conditions, a female produces 281 eggs weighing 61 g. Her productivity lasts 3-4 years. Therefore, the breeding period for this bird has increased.

Hayeks White

Poultry farmers haven't ignored this breed either. It adapts well to freezing temperatures and a variety of diets, and is resistant to infections and fungi.

These chickens were developed in 1970 by Dutch breeders. Based on Leghorns, these breeds are similar in appearance. However, they differ from their Hyex relatives in that they have a less elongated body.

The plumage of the hens is white and silky.

Hayeks Brown

This is a hybrid of the Leghorn breed, named for its brown coloring. Like its white counterparts, these Hyeks are easy to care for.

Females are distinguished by their massive build. Females weigh 2.2 kg, while males weigh 2.6 kg.

Although the hen's egg production lasts only 80 weeks, she is capable of laying 360 eggs. In farms and with simple care at home, eggs can weigh 63-71 g. These qualities make the breed so popular.

The price of young laying hens ranges from 220 to 350 rubles, and hatching eggs, depending on the location, cost 25-30 rubles.

This breed's eggs contain minimal cholesterol. This characteristic has increased demand for the product.

Tetra

These chickens are renowned for their high and early productivity. They are ideal for home breeding. Due to their large size and rapid growth, the breed is even suitable for meat production.

The birds have a horizontal body and strong dark or light feathers.

Females begin laying eggs at 17 weeks. Day-old chicks are easily separated into cockerels and hens, as they have different feather colors. A female lays 220 brown eggs per year, weighing 61 grams. She consumes 125 grams of special feed per day.

This breed is produced and raised by private farms and small farms. Adult chickens cost between 1,500 and 3,000 rubles, a chicken between 100 and 200 rubles, and eggs between 50 and 70 rubles.

Isa Brown

The breed, developed by French breeders, is well adapted to Russian conditions.

In appearance, the female is a classic layer. She is a small hen with light brown feathers. She is distinguished by her small head and a faintly defined comb. Her beak is pinkish-beige, and her legs are yellow. The females cannot be confused with the males. The former are dark brown, while the latter are light yellow. There is a subspecies with white plumage, which has been named "Isa White."

A hen produces 320 brown eggs per year. Egg production begins at 135 days of age. Large eggs weigh up to 63 g.

Birds can be kept in a cage, with a daily feed of 110 g per bird. However, free range is much more beneficial for them. Layers require 14-15 hours of daylight.

High Line

The breed was developed in the USA. The bird is not capricious and is known for its hardiness.

The feathers are white and brown. The female weighs about 2 kg and matures in 170-180 days.

Females are very calm and well adapted to their environment. Moreover, external factors do not affect the quantity or quality of eggs. From eight weeks on, a female can produce 350 large eggs weighing 62-65 grams with strong shells.

The breed is valued for its high-quality eggs and low feed consumption. It is considered one of the most economically viable chickens.

Andalusian Blue

Bird breeders choose it for its extraordinary feather coloring and high productivity.

The breed was developed in Spain by crossing the Blue Game and the Minorca. It is distinguished by its elongated body, broad head, and prominent forehead. The birds have a full comb, with the roosters having a sloping comb and the hens having an upright comb.

The plumage of adults is blue, with a gray-blue beak and legs, white earlobes, and a red "face." Of the hatched chicks, 25% are gray, 25% are black, and 50% are blue. The gray chicks are not rejected because, when bred, they produce blue chicks. This bird is very beautiful.

These hens are characterized by average egg production—160 to 180 eggs per year. This breed is common in homesteads and is not raised on factory farms. Males weigh 2.5 kg, while females weigh 2.2 kg. The eggs are medium-sized and have white shells.

A unique and rare layer in our latitudes costs approximately 1,500 rubles each. Chicks cost 300-350 rubles, and hatching eggs cost 200 rubles.

Minorca

The bird produces not only high-quality eggs but also succulent meat. The breed was developed in Spain and named after the island where it originated. The main strain was developed by English breeders, but there are also German and American lines.

These chickens have a slender build, with a long back and neck. Their heads are adorned with a voluminous, leaf-shaped comb, a result of selective breeding. The purity of the breed can be determined by the appearance of the comb. The bird has a majestic appearance thanks to its dark beak, white earlobes, and wattles. Its feathers are typically dark, ranging from black to gray, and its "face" is red.

Minorca eggs are large, up to 80 g for adults and up to 65 g for juveniles. In the first year of life, an individual lays 180 eggs, and in the second, 140. A British hen weighs 2.5 kg, and a rooster up to 4.

Minorcas are expensive birds, as they are considered ornamental and are typically bred by fans of exotic breeds. An adult bird costs an average of 1,700-2,000 rubles, and a dozen eggs cost around 1,000 rubles.

Dominant

A highly productive breed for both eggs and meat, it has long been popular on private farms and in farmsteads.

The bird is large, with distinct outlines and a distinctive color pattern. The cross includes 12 varieties, depending on feather color. Sussex varieties—black and blue—are common in Russia. The Dominant lays an average of 300 eggs per year. An adult hen weighs 2.5 kg, and a rooster 2.8 kg.

Individuals of this breed are most often sold directly by their owners, at shows, or at specialized breeding farms. Eggs cost 30-40 rubles, four-month-old hens 550 rubles, and chicks 300-450 rubles.

New Hampshire

This cross was developed in the USA from Rhode Island chickens. This bird consumes minimal feed while producing high yields. It is considered a meat-and-egg breed, producing approximately 270 eggs per year. It is not fussy, has a harmonious build, and light brown feathers.

A hen weighs approximately 3 kg. Peak egg production occurs in the first year of life – 200 eggs, in the second – 160, and in the third – 140. An egg weighs approximately 60 g.

The price of laying hens depends on where they are bred. Egg-laying varieties are more popular than meat-laying varieties. On average, a pair of an adult male and female can be purchased for 2,500 rubles.

How to choose a laying hen based on productivity

The key indicator for egg-laying hens is the number of eggs produced per year. In this regard, the Leghorn is the clear leader. Hens bred from purebred hens will definitely produce 330 eggs per year.

With proper care, the hen's egg production will be even higher, reaching 365 eggs.

Leghorns thrive in Russia, protected from cold and wind by their strong feathers. There's no place this attractive chicken hasn't adapted to.

The most productive crosses:

• Loman Brown;
• Hayeks;
• Tetra;
• Isa Brown.

What breed is best not to buy?

All birds available on the Russian market are capable of laying eggs both on a farm and in a backyard setting. However, the number of eggs produced varies, as does the care required for the hens. If you have to choose, it's best not to raise Minorok hens.

Adults are fairly prolific egg layers. They have a slender body, an elongated neck, and a small head with a large red comb. Feathers can be black, white, or brown. The eggs have a dense white shell.

So why is it undesirable to raise this egg-laying breed indoors? The fact is, it originated in Spain and is very heat-loving. These birds can be kept in the south. But if you keep them in the Moscow region, let alone in the northern regions, their egg production will be significantly reduced. During severe frosts, their combs can even freeze. Even if the breed is provided with the necessary temperature conditions, it needs constant access to the open air. Otherwise, it will not be productive.

Having examined productive varieties of laying hens, we can conclude that chickens should be purchased only from reputable producers. Only then can you be sure that the breed being bred is genuine and not a mixture.