Which are the chicken breeds that only lay brown eggs? I have noticed that different breeds of chickens lay eggs of different colors as well. Out of these colors, brown eggs seem to capture my attention the most. So, I decided to find out how this happens in the following discussion. Let’s learn together!
Some of the most outstanding brown-egg laying hens include Australorp, Barnevelder, Brahma, Buckeye, Delaware, New Hampshire Red, and Sussex.
For backyard chicken keepers, brown-egg laying birds are the most popular breeds. These birds lay eggs that have varying shades of brown. If you observe closely, you will realize that the eggs vary from a deep chocolate brown to light tan.
Another thing you need to know is that as your hen’s age, their eggs become lighter in color. Below is a comprehensive list of chicken breeds that only lay brown eggs:
Top Chicken Breeds that Only Lay Brown Eggs
Black Australorp
Australorp is a true chicken breed and not a hybrid as such. At some point, Australops were the leading brown-egg laying hens. Both roosters and hens are solid black with single combs. Their feathers have a green sheen that seems to shine in the light.
Australorps trace their origin in Australia. These productive chickens developed from broilers and their roosters are excellent meat birds.
When it comes to temperament, these birds are very calm and friendly. They also mature early and a handful of them become brooders whenever they want to hatch their fertilized eggs.
This dual breed lay large brown eggs with one bird producing an average of five eggs per week. Australorps can survive well in both cold and hot climatic conditions. This makes them one of the hardiest chickens that you can comfortably raise in your backyard.
Barnevelder
With its origin in Holland, Barnevelder is a continental breed of chickens raised for its beautiful brown eggs. Elegant and friendly, this bird captures your attention even from a distance. It is common for its breathtaking all-black neck that leads to a back full of double-laced partridge pattern.
This single comb breed originates in Barneveld, Holland, hence the name. To this day, Barnevelder chickens are still popular thanks to their ability to lay large, brown eggs. On average, each bird produces 3 to 4 eggs, making it one of the most productive breeds of chickens.
Given that it originated from Northern Europe, Bernevelder adapts well in extreme cold weather conditions. That explains why it’s a hardy breed that farmers prefer to keep, especially in areas that experience long winters. Most importantly, these birds are gentle and friendly, meaning that anyone including kids can handle them.
Buckeye
The name Buckeye comes with all attributes that make it a popular breed of egg-laying chickens. This mahogany-colored bird traces its origin in Ohio in the United States of America. Its feather color is almost similar to the brown color associated with a buckeye nut. From this explanation, you can easily guess the origin of its name.
Therefore, Interestingly, the Buckeye remains the only breed of chickens developed by a woman. In addition, the breed boasts of being the only known pea-combed chicken breed developed in the US.
Buckeye adapts well to winter conditions and they are excellent egg layers when you take good care of them. Unlike other layers, this breed produces medium size brown eggs. In a week, one bird can lay up to 4 eggs.
Despite their adaptability to very cold conditions, Buckeye can still do well in other parts of the world. Most significantly, these birds are friendly and highly sociable. You can raise them in your backyard as pets or layers thanks to their friendly and social personalities.
Light Brahma
Brahma is also referred to as the “King of All Poultry” and for good reasons. This is one of the largest breeds of chickens that only lay brown eggs. If you’re a poultry farmer, you will not hesitate to include a handful of these birds to your flock.
When it comes to beauty, Brahmas take the first slop. These birds have colorful feathers all over their bodies including the feet. Popular colors that make them a unique breed are dark, buff and light which describe how their feathers look.
Brahmas are Asiatic birds with their origin in the United States. Chicken owners raise them because of their hardiness and winter laying abilities. This means Brahms can keep your backyard egg containers full, especially during the lean months of the year.
The Delaware Pullet
Each hen can lay up to 5 eggs in one week if all conditions are favorable. Their gently and friendly personality make these chickens a good family flock.
Delaware 400;”>breed of chickens was once raised for the broiler industry. Named after the state of its origin, This is an American breed raised for its large size brown eggs. Hens can produce as much as 5 eggs in one week.
You can easily identify these birds from their single combs. Their feathers are white with incomplete black barring on the tail and back of the neck.
Since they are heat and cold hardy chickens, you can raise them almost anywhere provided that the conditions are conducive. This calm breed is suitable for both egg and meat production.
New Hampshire Red
Interestingly, This breed can mate with either Rhode Island Reds or New Hampshire to produce chicks with different features. For their temperament, Delaware birds are calm and gentle to everyone.
If you are not keen enough, you will confuse New Hampshire Reds and Rhode Island Reds. Most people find it difficult to tell the two breeds apart. But if you are an experienced chicken keeper, these breeds should not confuse you anymore.
However, The New Hampshire Reds are normally lighter red with black tail feathers. Their neck feathers have light marks. Just like other breeds, you can easily identify New Hampshire Reds from their single combs and active nature.
This dual-purpose chicken breed matures earlier than other breeds. Layers produce 4 to 5 large brown eggs per week, which makes them popular breeds for egg production.
The New Hampshire Reds can survive in cold and hot weather conditions. With their friendly nature, you can raise them as pets in your backyard beside the production of high-quality eggs. Another strange thing about this breed is the tendency to brood eggs better than their lookalike Rhode Island Reds.
Speckled Sussex
Sussex is a common breed of chickens in England. From their origin, you can tell that Sussex breed thrives best in colder temperatures. However, this does not imply that the breed cannot do well in other parts of the world.
Originally from Sussex County, these birds are a great choice for your backyard. This is because they are friendly, gentle and always curious.
Sussex is one of the greatest egg layers with each bird producing up to 5 eggs per week. Therefore, their eggs are usually larger and brown in color. You can always distinguish them breeds from the rest by looking at their speckled red feathers.
One interesting thing about these chickens is the changes each bird undergoes from time to time. However, the Speckled Sussex color gains more white spangles with every molt. This strange occurrence can make you think that there’s a new chicken among your flock of birds.
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Related Questions?
What are the common shades of brown eggs you have ever come across?
Brown egg layers produce eggs that have different shades of brown. Each shade is associated with an individual breed. You are more likely to come across dark brown eggs, light tan eggs and deep mahogany colored eggs. Much to your surprise, the brown color may change as time passes regardless of which hens lay them. This is because brown egg layers tend to produce light-colored eggs as they grow older.
What determines the egg color from different breeds of layers?
Just like any other feature on different animals, the egg color relates to an individual chicken’s genetic makeup. This explains why there are brown, white, pink, or even blue eggs from different breeds of chickens. However, diet and environmental factors don’t play a big role in dictating the color of eggs.
Does the coloring have any effect on the nutritional value of chicken eggs?
The correct answer is no. The color of an egg does not have any impact on the taste or nutritional value of a particular egg. Instead, the taste is dictated by what your birds feed on and the freshness of the egg. Make sure you feed your layers on a well-balanced diet with plenty of calcium if you want good-quality eggs.
In Conclusion
Different breeds of layers produce different types of eggs in terms of size and color. Speaking of color, you may choose one of the chicken breeds that only lay brown eggs from those listed. Each breed has its own physical characteristics and the number of eggs it lays in a week. This will give you an option to settle for one or several breeds that will supply you with fresh brown eggs weekly.
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