Brown Egg Laying Chicken Breeds

Brown eggs are the classic backyard egg, and the breeds that lay them include some of the hardiest, friendliest and most productive chickens you can raise. Whether you want a full egg basket every week or calm hens the kids can hold, there is a brown egg layer for you.

Shop by egg color: Brown egg layers | Colored egg layers | Dark egg layers | White egg layers

Top brown egg layers

  • Rhode Island Red: Tough, low-maintenance and one of the best layers around. About 200–300 eggs a year.
  • Black Australorp: Calm and quiet, with large light brown eggs. About 250 eggs a year.
  • Black Sex Link: A hybrid bred for steady production. About 250–300 eggs a year.
  • Barred Rock: Friendly, cold-hardy and dependable. About 200 eggs a year.
  • Silver Laced Wyandotte: Striking laced feathers and a winter-hardy rose comb. About 200–240 eggs a year.

Gentle, family-friendly brown egg layers

  • Buff Orpington: Famously sweet and easy to hold. About 180–200 eggs a year.
  • Lavender Orpington: All the Orpington charm in soft lavender. About 150–200 eggs a year.
  • Light Brahma: A gentle giant that handles cold winters well. About 150–200 eggs a year.
  • Speckled Sussex: Curious, friendly and a good forager. About 220 eggs a year.

Want breed details first? Read our guides to the Rhode Island Red, Australorp, Buff Orpington, Barred Rock, Wyandotte and Brahma, or learn how many eggs a hen lays.

How ordering works

All chick orders are pre-orders by hatch date. Shipped chicks travel by USPS Priority Mail to your local post office, and the post office calls when they arrive. Free local pickup is available on many of our own breeds at 21084 Dover Bridge Rd, Preston, MD 21655. Most breeds have a 6-chick minimum for shipping, and you can mix breeds that ship the same week. See chick shipping rates and times.

Quick answers

Are brown eggs healthier than white eggs?

No. Shell color comes from the breed and does not change taste or nutrition. Fresh eggs from well-fed backyard hens taste great in any color.

Which brown egg layer lays the most eggs?

Rhode Island Reds, Black Sex Links and Australorps are among the top producers, often 240 or more eggs a year in their prime.