Breed selection is one of the important factors determining productivity in egg-laying chicken production. Below are 5 notable chicken breeds with high egg production potential.
The livestock industry is currently expanding in both scale and quality. To meet this growing demand, poultry production, particularly egg-laying chicken production, has developed many “high-producing” egg-laying chicken breeds. Let us explore 5 famous “high-producing” egg-laying chicken breeds in the world.
1) GOLDEN COMET CHICKEN
– The chickens have a relatively docile temperament, are easy to raise, and have good adaptability to small-scale farming conditions.
– Egg production can reach up to 330 eggs/year, equivalent to approximately 5–6 eggs per week.
– They can start laying eggs at 16 weeks of age.
– Peak laying performance can last for 2 years, after which egg production declines.
Image of Golden comet chicken
2) RHODE ISLAND RED CHICKEN
– Originating from Rhode Island and Massachusetts (USA). This is a relatively hardy breed that adapts well to less-than-ideal rearing conditions while maintaining relatively good egg-laying performance.
– A good laying hen can produce 200–300 eggs per year, with an average of 150–250 eggs.
– They usually start laying at approximately 18–20 weeks of age, although some may start as early as 16 weeks.
3) LEGHORN CHICKEN
– Originating from Tuscany, Italy. Leghorns are notable for their high production of white eggs, relatively light body weight, and low feed requirements, making them widely used in the development of commercial laying strains.
– They produce 280–320 eggs per year. This is equivalent to 5–6 eggs per week per hen.
– They usually start laying at approximately 4 months of age.
– They continue to produce a high number of eggs for approximately 4 years, after which egg production gradually declines until they reach “retirement” age and cease laying.
Image of Leghorn chicken
4) SUSSEX CHICKEN
– This is a dual-purpose breed for meat and egg production, with a strong body, good foraging ability, and hens that have a relatively strong brooding and chick-rearing instinct.
– They produce 200–250 light-brown eggs per year, equivalent to approximately 4 eggs per week per hen.
– They usually start laying at approximately 8 months of age, later than other breeds.
– They produce the highest number of eggs during the first few years of life. Egg production gradually begins to decline at around 5 years of age, with progressively fewer eggs as they age.
5) PLYMOUTH CHICKEN
– This is a dual-purpose breed for meat and egg production, with a relatively docile temperament, easy handling, and hens that generally have good brooding and chick-rearing ability.
– On average, hens produce approximately 200–300 eggs per year, with each egg weighing approximately 50–60 g.
– They usually start laying at approximately 18–20 weeks of age.
– They perform well reproductively during the first few years, but around the third year, productivity begins to decline gradually. However, some hens have been known to continue laying until 10 years of age.
Image of Plymouth chicken
Each chicken breed has different productivity and reproductive characteristics, but all are notable choices for egg-laying chicken production. Understanding the growth characteristics, age at first lay, and egg production of each breed provides poultry producers with additional grounds for selecting suitable breeds.