Best Breeds for Every Situation!
We've highlighted breeds in categories we get asked most about. These are "in general" and you may get a hen outside of the norm. These are the norms.
TOP PICKS FOR FAMILIES
Croad Langshen
Orpingtons
Blue Laced Red Wyandotte/Lavender Wyandotte
Splash/Blue Australorp (Australian Orpington)
Lavender/Blue Cochin
Bielefelder
Welbar (Welsummer x)
Marans
French Hens (Houdans)
Swedish Flower Hens
Barred Plymouth Rock
Olive Eggers
Azure Layer
Easter Egger/Green Queen Easter Egger
Speckled Sussex/Paint Sussex
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WINTER LAYERS
Bielefelders
Croad Langshans
Swedish Flower Hens/55 Flowery's
Australian Orpington(Australorp)
French Hens (Houdans)
Wyandottes
Appenzeller Spitzhaubens
Mottled Java
Welbar
Isbar (Silverrudd Blue)
Crevecoeur
Leghorns
Plymouth Barred Rock
Speckled Sussex/Paint Sussex
Note: All breeds will take a 6-10 week rest during/after feather molt- to regrow feathers during this time
Note: Even though these breeds lay in winter laying rate will likely slow down
BEST EGG COLOR
Ameraucanas (Blue, Black,
Splash, Lavender)-Blue
Welbar (Welsummer x) - Very dark/speckles
Olive Egger (F2/F4)- Dark Green*
Jade Egger- Green*
Cream/Opal Legbar- Blue
Super Blues-Blue*
Azure Layer- Blue
Mottled Java- Pink*
Croad Langshen- Plum*
All Marans- Chocolate
Penedesenca-Very dark "Red"
Isbars - Green
Whiting True Blue
*Please see egg color description under breed bios
QUIETEST BREEDS
Australorp (Australian Orpington)
Orpingtons
Lavender Cochins
Orpingtons
Swedish Flower Hens
Bielefelders
Mottled Javas
Croad Langshens
Blue Laced Red Wyandottes
Barred Plymouth Rock
Breeds Worth the Splurge!
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Swedish Flower Hens
Ameraucana (Blue, Splash, Lavender)
Blue Splash Maran
Lavender Maran
Lavender Cochin
Opal Legbar
55 Flowery Hen
Fibro Easter Egger
Chocolate Laced Gold Orpington
Jubilee Orpington
SILVER Bielefelder
Silverrudd Isbar
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BEST PRODUCERS
Bielefelder
Whiting True Blues
Olive Eggers
Splash/Blue Australorp
Swedish Flower Hens
Easter Egger/Green Queen
Speckled Sussex/Pain Sussex
55 Flowery Hens
Ameraucanas
Super Blues
Welbars (Welsummer x)
Silverrudd Isbar
Leghorn
Rhode Island Blues (Australorpx)