When it comes to backyard poultry, one of the most common questions new chicken owners ask is about the color of the eggs their hens will lay. Honestly? I feel like white eggs almost get a bad wrap these days! Haha!
Everyone is after a colorful egg basket and I’m one of them. However, I am always amazed at the sheer beauty of white eggs. Egg color can range from brown to white, blue, pink and even green, but in this blog, we’ll focus on the breeds of chickens that lay white eggs.
Understanding which breeds produce white eggs can help you choose the right chickens for your needs, whether it's for a small flock at home or a larger poultry operation.
1. Leghorn
Picture Credit: The Chick Hatchery
The White Leghorn is probably the most famous breed known for laying white eggs, and for good reason! These birds are egg-laying machines, producing 280-300 white eggs per year. Their excellent egg production has made them a staple in both backyard flocks and commercial farms.
Leghorns are also great foragers, meaning they’ll help keep your yard clear of bugs and weeds while hunting for their own snacks. Though they can be a bit flighty and nervous, but they adapt well to most environments, from free-range setups to enclosed runs.
If you're looking for a breed that prioritizes egg production, the Leghorn is a great choice. Their compact size also means they don’t eat as much feed as larger breeds—another bonus for backyard chicken keepers!
2. Ancona
Picture Credit: Cluckin
The Ancona is another stunning breed that lays white eggs. Originating from Italy, these black-and-white speckled birds are both beautiful and productive, laying around 180-220 white eggs per year.
Anconas are known for being hardy and independent, which makes them a great option for backyard flocks. They’re fantastic at foraging and can thrive in different climates. Plus, they’re pretty easygoing, making them a great breed for chicken keepers looking for a balance of beauty, personality and egg-laying!
3. Cornish
Picture Credit: Hoover's Hatchery
You might know the Cornish breed mainly for meat production, but did you know they also lay white eggs? Cornish hens can produce 150-200 white eggs per year. The Cornish breed originated in England and is valued for its large, meaty frame. Despite being bred mainly for meat, Cornish hens are fairly hardy and can adapt well to various conditions.
My sister had a Cornish Cross that lived for almost four years and laid eggs consistently during that time! Cornish chickens are a great choice if you’re looking for a dual-purpose bird!
4. Andalusian
This spring, I added a gorgeous Andalusian hen to our flock, and I’m loving her already! Andalusians are striking birds with their blue-gray plumage, and they lay large white eggs—about 265 eggs per year. They’re also incredibly active and love to roam, making them perfect for free-range environments.
What’s great about Andalusians is that they’re cold and heat-hardy, meaning they can handle a wide range of climates. Plus, they rarely go broody, so you won’t have to worry about them stopping their egg production to sit on a nest.
If you’re looking for a bird with a striking appearance and steady egg production, I can’t recommend the Andalusian enough!
5. Lakenvelder
Picture Credit: Cackle Hatchery
Another breed I added this year is the Lakenvelder, and they’ve been such a joy to have. These birds originated from Germany and are smaller and more active compared to some other breeds. With their sleek black and white feathers, they’re also stunning additions to any backyard flock.
Lakenvelders lay around 240 medium-sized white eggs per year. While they thrive in warmer climates, they aren’t the most cold-hardy breed, so I’m curious to see how my girl will handle our Minnesota winter!
Despite this, they’re energetic and curious birds, always busy foraging and exploring. If you’re looking for a breed with striking looks and moderate egg production, the Lakenvelder is a fun option.
Why White Egg Layers Are Worth Adding to Your Flock
If you’re looking for white egg-laying chickens, the breeds mentioned above are a great place to start! The Leghorn is likely your best bet for consistent egg production, but breeds like the Ancona, Andalusian and Lakenvelder also offer a great mix of productivity and beauty.
Other white egg-laying breeds include the California White, Polish and Hamburg, among others. Each breed has its own unique characteristics, from their looks to their temperament, so be sure to do a little research to find the perfect fit for your flock.
Supporting Eggshell Quality with Chicken E-lixir and Golden Graze
Keeping your hens healthy leads to beautiful, strong eggs! Here are my two go-to supplements - Chicken E-lixir and Golden Graze - to help your hens produce high-quality, durable eggs.
Daily Vitamins: Add Chicken E-lixir to water for a boost of essential vitamins and minerals, supporting egg production, health, and immunity.
Calcium Boost: Chicken E-lixir provides high-quality calcium to strengthen eggshells, while Golden Graze chicken treats add an extra calcium boost with oyster shells to keep eggs strong and long-lasting.
Golden Yolk Goodness: Golden Graze also includes flaxseed and marigold, providing Omega-3s and nutrients that encourage those beautiful, rich, golden yolks.
These two together give your hens what they need to lay eggs that are as strong as they are beautiful!
While I started raising chickens mainly for the eggs, I’ve found that they’re such delightful pets. The eggs are just a bonus!
Until next time,
–The Wing Lady
Chicken E-lixir - Daily Vitamin for Chickens Chicken E-lixir is added to drinking water as a daily vitamin for keeping chickens healthy by promoting digestive health. For everyday use, it contains a unique blend of organic oregano essential oil, prebiotics, calcium, vitamins D & E and electrolytes.
Golden Graze - For Quality Eggs & Golden Yolks Golden Graze is a daily chicken snack that promotes quality eggs with golden yolks and Omega-3 fatty acids. It contains oregano essential oils, multi-grains, cracked corn, oyster shells, marigold petals and flaxseed. Treat your hens to this healthy snack and enjoy eggsellent eggs.