10 Chicken Breeds that Lay The Largest Brown Eggs

Chicken eggs aren’t all equal in size, weight, and color. Some chicken species lay bigger eggs than other species. Chickens also lay eggs of different colors. For instance, some breeds lay brown eggs while others lay white eggs. Brown eggs are some of the largest chicken eggs.

Not all chicken breeds that lay brown eggs lay large-sized eggs. Some chickens lay small to medium-sized brown eggs. Potential chicken keepers should be keen on getting a chicken breed that lays huge brown eggs. Therefore, they should select their breed of choice from the hens that lay large brown eggs. Here are the ten chicken breeds that lay the largest brown eggs.

1. Lohmann Brown

The Lohmann Brown chicken breed is one of the terrific egg-laying breeds of all time. This German chicken breed is a crossbreed of the New Hampshire chicken, an excellent brown-egg-laying chicken breed. Free-range Lohmann Brown hens can lay eggs measuring around 2.4 oz (68 g). in size, while indoor hens can lay eggs measuring 2.7 oz (76.5 g).

Although some Lohmann brown chickens can lay brown eggs, Lohmann browns can lay either dark brown or light brown eggs. These chickens boast a high egg production since Lohmann brown hens usually lay between 290 and 320 eggs large brown eggs annually.

Lohmann chickens start laying at around 19 weeks, although some Lohmann brown hens can begin laying once they are 22 weeks old. They can lay up to 320 brown eggs yearly until about 72 weeks old. Some Lohmann brown chickens can start laying as early as 17 weeks old. However, weather and diet can impact this breed’s egg production.

2. Welsummer

Although the Wellsummer chicken breed is widely a dual-purpose breed, it still makes a fantastic egg-laying chicken breed. This breed can lay between 160 and 250 eggs a year, although egg production can be dismal in colder months. Welsummer hens lay huge dark-reddish brown eggs. Young Wellsummer hens start laying when they are between 20 and 24 weeks.

Welsummer hens lay large eggs measuring around 2.5 oz (70 g). on average. The USDA(United States Department of Agriculture)describes the eggs from this chicken breed as some of the largest chickens, with almost a similar size to Turkey eggs. Some adult hens can lay extra-large eggs measuring over 3 oz (85 g).

3. Barnevelder

Barnevelder chickens are medium-size chickens from a Dutch origin. Adult Barnevelder hens are famous for laying extra-large, dark brown eggs. Hens can lay between 200 and 300 large dark brown eggs annually.

Younger hens can lay more than adult hens, although younger hens usually lay medium-sized brown eggs at the start of their laying cycle. On average, Barnevelder chicken eggs measure around 2.7 oz (76.5 g).

Barnevelder hens take longer to mature, unlike most egg-laying chicken breeds. Young hens start laying at around 28 weeks old. Some hens can begin laying as late as 30 weeks old.

Barnevelder hens have a longer lifespan than the average hens since they can live between seven and eleven years. Furthermore, these hens can lay consistently for five years except during the cold months.

4. Delaware

Delaware might be a new chicken breed in the poultry world, but this breed is an awesome layer. The Delaware hens lay large, jumbo-sized brown eggs. Their eggs measure around 3 oz (85 g). on average.

Mature Delaware hens can lay large-sized jumbo eggs measuring around 3.5 oz (99 g). Hens lay over 200 eggs yearly. Some hens can lay more depending on the diet. Mature hens lay extra-large dark brown eggs, unlike younger ones that lay medium to large-sized light brown eggs. Some Delaware hens also lay pale brown eggs.

Young hens start laying when they are around six months old. Some Delaware hens can begin laying as early as 15 to 17 weeks old. Other Delaware hens may take longer to lay, with some Delaware chickens laying when they are between 28 and 32 weeks old.

Overly, Delaware chickens mature pretty quickly compared to other egg-laying chicken breeds.

5. Buff Orpington

Buff Orpington is a dual-purpose breed and a prolific egg-laying bird. There are two subspecies of Buff Orpington chickens: utility and show subspecies. The utility subspecies of Buff Orpington chickens are excellent layers, although their show counterparts are also decent layers.

They can lay between 250 and 300 light brown eggs a year. On average, Buff Orpington hens lay large to extra-large brown eggs measuring around 2.4 oz (68 g). Some hens can lay large-sized jumbo eggs measuring approximately 3 oz (85 g).

Buff Orpington hens start laying at around six months old. Some younger hens can begin laying at about five months old, although it solely depends on the hens’ diet. Hens who consume lots of protein tend to lay much earlier than other hens who lack protein-rich feed access.

Although Buff Orpington chickens are a cold-resistant chicken breed, they don’t lay consistently in winter. Nevertheless, this chicken breed lay quite well in warmer temperatures.

6. Black Copper Maran

Black Copper Maran chickens are decent layers compared to many chicken breeds that lay brown eggs. Hens can lay between 180 to 270 eggs annually on average. Some Black Copper Maran hens can lay even more depending on their environment and diet.

This active chicken breed can lay brown, dark brown, or deep reddish-brown eggs. Black Copper Maran hens usually lay medium to large-sized eggs, though some older hens can lay extra-large eggs, especially when they feed on nutritious feed.

Black Copper Maran eggs are between 2 oz and 2.7 oz (57 g and 77 g) on average. Extra-large eggs are usually 3 oz (85 g). Black Copper Maran hens start laying between 5 and 6 months old. Some hens can take longer to lay their first egg.

Black Copper Maran hens may start laying around 8 to 9 months in rare cases. Environment, diet, and genetics determine when hens from this chicken breed start laying.

7. Speckled Sussex

Speckled Sussex chickens belong to the larger Sussex family of chickens native to the UK. These dual-purpose chickens are prolific layers and meat producers. Speckled Sussex hens lay between 4 and 5 eggs weekly. On average, Speckled Sussex hens can lay approximately 250 eggs annually.

Their eggs can be either light brown or slightly tinted in color. The larger majority of Speckled Sussex hens lay pale brown eggs, although some hens, especially older hens, can lay cream-colored eggs.

The eggs from these chickens can be either medium or large. On average, the eggs measure between 2 to 2.4 oz (57 to 77 gram). Speckled Sussex hens start laying quite early compared to most egg-laying chicken breeds. Hens start laying when they are around five months old. However, some hens may take up to seven months before they start laying.

Like most egg-laying breeds, speckled Sussex chickens usually don’t lay during cold months. Reduced daylights and molting, which occur in winter, can affect these chickens’ laying patterns.

8. Silver Lace Wyandotte

Silver Lace Wyandotte chickens are superb layers and friendly chickens. These chickens lay medium to large-sized eggs. Their eggs can be either light brown or dark brown. They lay around 200 eggs yearly, although some Silver Lace Wyandotte hens can lay a tremendous number of eggs a year.

This chicken breed is highly cold-tolerant, unlike other laying species. They can continue laying even during the winter months.

Silver Lace Wyandotte eggs are larger than other hens from various chicken breeds. They measure between 2.5 oz to 3 oz (71 to 85 grams) on average. Silver Lace Wyandotte chickens are a nice choice of chicken breed, thanks to their reliable egg production.

Besides their egg-laying prowess, these chickens are also hardy, and they seldom succumb to diseases that affect chickens. Their docile attribute makes them a wonderful choice of free-range chicken breed to keep in the backyard.

9. Rhode Island Red

Rhode Island Red chickens are dual-purpose chickens, producing high-quality meat and eggs. Although these chickens are remarkably territorial and somewhat aggressive, they are wonderful layers. They boast a high egg production, with hens annually laying between 250 and 300 eggs. Some Rhode Island Red hens can lay over 300 eggs a year, particularly when they feed on a rich diet.

Rhode Island Red hens lay light brown eggs, although some can lay dark brown eggs. These chickens lay the largest brown eggs of all the chicken breeds that lay brown eggs. Their eggs are usually large to extra-large.

On average, Rhode Island Red hens lay eggs measuring 3 oz (85 g). Older hens can lay extra-large eggs that measure around 3.5 oz (99 g). Rhode Island Red hens start laying when they are between 18 and 20 weeks old.

Though rare, some hens can take approximately 28 weeks to lay their first eggs. Overly, Rhode Island Red chickens are good layers since they lay well even in their fourth and fifth year.

10. Barred Rock

Barred Rock chicken lay an ample quantity of light brown eggs. These chickens lay around 200 eggs yearly, although some hens can lay more than 200 eggs annually. Barred Rock hens mature quickly as opposed to most egg-laying breeds.

Young hens usually start laying when they are between 16 and 20 weeks old. Hens can lay consistently throughout the year, although they usually stop laying during the dark and cold winter months.

Barred Rock hens lay large brown eggs. Though there are more of meat birds, Barred Rock chickens lay some of the largest eggs compared to the average chicken-laying breed. Their eggs measure around 2.5 (71 grams) oz. on average. However, these hens can lay extra-large eggs measuring up to 3 (99 grams) oz in rare instances.

Classification of Chicken Eggs by Size

Chicken eggs vary significantly in size as they vary in color. There are about six different egg sizes, according to the USDA. Here is an overview of the classification of chicken eggs by size.

• Peewee Eggs-These eggs are from young hens that lay inconsistently once they start laying. They are almost the same size as bird eggs. These tiny eggs are rare and aren’t readily available in grocery stores. Peewee eggs measure approximately 1.5 oz (42.5 grams).
• Small eggs-Small eggs are also known as pullet eggs. They are significantly smaller than the average eggs. Young hens, particularly from small chicken breeds, lay these types of eggs. Although they are visibly smaller than the average eggs, they are larger than bird eggs. Small eggs are around 18 oz (51 grams) in size.
• Medium eggs– medium eggs are the most common type of chicken eggs. They come from medium-sized chicken breeds and are the easiest chicken eggs to find in grocery stores. Medium eggs measure around 2.1 oz (59.5 grams) on average.
• Large eggs-These are the most in-demand chicken eggs. They are the most common eggs in a variety of recipes. Furthermore, these eggs have plenty of yolks compared to medium eggs and peewee eggs. They measure around 24 0z on average. They come from large chicken breeds such as Leghorn, Ancona, and New Hampshire.
• Extra-large eggs– These are some of the largest chicken eggs. Furthermore, these eggs are also among the most expensive eggs, and you will seldom get them in many grocery stores. Like large chicken eggs, these eggs also come from large chicken breeds. They measure around 2.7 oz (76.5 grams) on average. They are a common ingredient in many egg recipes.
• Jumbo eggs are the largest chicken eggs of all chicken eggs. These eggs are 20% larger than the average extra-large eggs. Jumbo eggs are rare, although not as rare as small eggs and peewee eggs. Furthermore, Jumbo eggs are quite expensive. Jumbo eggs usually measure around 3 oz (85 grams) on average. Some jumbo eggs can measure over 3 oz (85 grams). depending on the chicken breed.

Conclusion

With many types of chicken breeds that lay large brown eggs, you can find a suitable breed that will guarantee you a steady supply of large brown eggs. Most chicken breeds that lay brown eggs also lay large eggs compared to ordinary chickens.

Furthermore, the eggs from these breeds are incredibly nutritious since they contain loads of vital nutrients, unlike ordinary chicken eggs. It is extremely critical to give your chickens proper feed to boost their egg production and help the birds lay large brown eggs over time.