Our Top 5 Egg-Laying Chicken Breeds for Families & Farms

Freshcoln Farms | Backyard Chicken Care Series

Choosing the right breeds for your backyard flock makes all the difference when it comes to egg production, personality, and how well your birds fit into family life or a small farm setup.

At Freshcoln Farms, we’ve raised a lot of breeds over the years, and these five stand out as our personal favorites for dependable egg-laying, gentle temperaments, and unique beauty.

If you’re just getting started or looking to expand your flock, here are our top five egg-laying breeds we recommend.

1. Ameraucana

The Easter Egg Basket in One Bird

Ameraucanas are beloved for their vibrant blue eggs and bold personalities. These bearded beauties are inquisitive, social, and often quite talkative, making them a fun addition to any flock. They do well in both warm and cold climates and are generally friendly with children and other chickens. Expect around 5 medium eggs per week, with a pop of color that never gets old in the egg basket.

• Egg Color: Blue

• Temperament: Friendly, curious, chatty

• Why We Love Them: Unique looks, standout egg color, and big personalities

2. Mottled Houdan

A Fancy-Looking Hen with Hidden Talent

The Mottled Houdan may look like a show bird, but don’t let the fluffy topknot fool you—they’re excellent layers and gentle with children. This rare French breed has a fifth toe, a soft, quirky personality, and lays white eggs consistently throughout the year.

• Egg Color: White

• Temperament: Sweet, curious, quirky

• Why We Love Them: Their goofy, lovable energy and consistent laying

3. Australorp

The Quiet Overachiever

Australorps are a classic choice for a reason—they’re hardy, low-maintenance, and incredibly productive. A single Australorp once set a world record by laying 364 eggs in 365 days! These glossy black hens average 5–6 large brown eggs per week and are known for their calm, friendly nature.

• Egg Color: Brown

• Temperament: Gentle, easygoing

• Why We Love Them: Unbeatable productivity and peaceful personalities

4. Black Sex Link

The Egg Machine of the Backyard

This hybrid breed is known for being one of the best brown egg layers out there. They’re easy to sex as chicks (hence the name), tough in all climates, and friendly even for beginner chicken keepers. Expect 5–6 large brown eggs per week from these workhorse hens.

• Egg Color: Brown

• Temperament: Bold, friendly, confident

• Why We Love Them: Super productive and ideal for families who want eggs ASAP

5. Bielefelder

The Gentle Giant with a Golden Touch

This German heritage breed is as striking as it is useful. Bielefelders are large, dual-purpose birds that lay extra-large brown eggs and are among the most gentle and easygoing chickens we’ve ever raised. They’re also known for being cuddly, calm, and often broody—which means they make wonderful natural mamas if you ever want to hatch your own chicks.

• Egg Color: Large to extra-large brown

• Temperament: Calm, cuddly, maternal

• Why We Love Them: They’re beautiful, consistent layers who love being mamas

Final Thoughts

Each of these breeds brings something special to your coop—whether it’s colorful eggs, gentle behavior, or consistent production. When planning your flock, think about your goals: Do you want the best layers? A variety of egg colors? Kid-friendly birds? These five breeds hit the sweet spot across all those categories.

Coming Up Next:

“First Flock Essentials: What You’ll Need (And What to Keep in Your Chicken Emergency Kit)”

We’ll cover the must-haves for getting started, what we keep in our own chicken first aid kit at Freshcoln Farms, and what to expect those first few weeks.

Got a favorite breed we didn’t mention? Tag us @FreshcolnFarms and share your chicken story—we love seeing your flocks thrive!