When you are trying to find out the chickens that lay white eggs and would be the best fit for your backyard, then the most common name is Leghorn, but there are several other breeds as well to choose from. Chicken keepers prefer white eggs because they are pretty otherwise, color does not make any difference.
A coloured egg would provide the same nutritional value as a white-shelled egg would. However, it depends on the diet and overall care and management of the chickens that reflect the nutritional content of the eggs.
Here we have a list of the top 12 chickens that lay white eggs.
White Leghorn
White Leghorn are bred for a dual purpose, they provide both meat and egg. These birds weigh around 4.4 lbs to 6 lbs and are known to produce 280 to 320 eggs every year. The eggs are white and quite large. These birds are known for their efficiency and hardiness and have a lifespan of 6 years. They have an active and alert temperament.
The birds are medium-sized with slender bodies, bright red combs and wattles, with white striking plumage. They need utmost care when young and can be easily raised. They are adapted to different climates and mostly prefer summer. However, due to their active disposition, they become targets for predators.
Campine Chicken
Campine Chicken are known to be ornamental birds and they weigh 4 to 6 lbs. They produce 140 to 200 eggs every year, which are white and of medium size. These birds are quite active and curious and have a lifespan of 7 years. It is said that they have their origin in Belgium and are one of the ancient breeds which were once favored for their egg-laying ability.
They have a striking look, small, and slender and are found in two main varieties: golden campine, which is coppery gold coloured and silver campine, which is pure white plumage. These birds are quite intelligent which makes them an excellent forager, but they are not quite friendly and are often found to be bullied due to their small size. A free-range environment serves them an ideal space to roam and they need a protein-rich diet to lay eggs. However, they are not quite tolerant of winter and need protection, otherwise, there are chances of getting frostbitten.
Old English Game
Old English Game is also an ornamental bird and weighs around 4 to 4.8 lbs. They can lay 100 to 160 eggs in a year, which are small to medium, white cream coloured and tinted. They have an aggressive and noisy temperament and have a life span of 15 years. Their history can be traced back to Britain where they were famous for cockfighting.
They are admired for their vibrant coloured feathers which are glossy silver, wheaten and crele. They have a compact muscular body and are distinguished by their upright posture and puffed-out chest. These chickens are quite territorial and should be kept in separate spaces. Also, they are protective mothers and need careful monitoring to prevent fights.
Sicilian Buttercup
Sicilian Buttercup is known to be an ornamental breed and they weigh 5 to 5.6 lbs. They can lay 140 to 180 white small to medium-sized eggs. These birds have an active, flighty and lively temperament and a lifespan of 8 years. These birds originated in the island of Sicily near Italy and hold a royal-looking com.
They have a striking plumage of warm, golden color with black spangles. They love to explore and are quite calm, making them a good fit for any coop. However, they are suited for warm climates and during the cold need extra protection. They also need regular checkups, a balanced diet and a clean environment.
Ancona chicken
Ancona chickens are only meant for egg production and they weigh 4 to 6.2 lbs. They have the capability to lay 220 to 250 white, medium to large eggs. These birds are quite active, noisy and have a flighty temperament and have a lifespan of 8 years. Ancona chicken is traced back to Italy and they are known to be a heritage breed and an excellent choice to be part of a backyard flock.
They have a striking visual appearance with glossy black feathers and a white touch on the tip of the speckle. They have yellow legs with black spots and yellow beaks with black markings on the top. You can get the breed in both single comb as well as rose comb. They prefer independence and love to move around but are quite noisy and communicate a lot. However, they are friendly and charming, hardy enough to adjust to various climates. However, these birds are quite susceptible to frostbite, so regular health check is required along with a balanced diet, they also need enough space to stay active and lay eggs throughout the year, even during the winter.
Dorking chicken
Dorking chicken is also a dual-purpose bird which is bred for meat and egg. They have an adult weight of 8 to 14 lbs and are known to produce white or cream-colored 150 to 190 eggs every year. These eggs are medium to large. These chickens have a gentle, calm and friendly temperament and have a lifespan of 7 years. These chickens are known to be the oldest breed and have been brought to England by Romans.
They have a rectangular body with short legs, making the appearance stout. They are found in multiple colors – red, white, dark and silver-gray. The most interesting fact is that this breed has a fifth toe and the comb is either single or rose. They have a docile nature, making them a suitable pet and they also get along with chickens of other breeds in the coop. However, they need protection from extreme cold climates and proper health management which includes shelter, diet and water. They need spacious coops for roosting and nesting, and they are capable of laying eggs even during the winter.
Polish Chicken
Polish Chicken is bred for ornamentation and they weigh around 4.5 lbs to 6 lbs. These birds are known to lay around 150 to 200 eggs every year which are medium-sized and white. These chickens have a calm and gentle temperament and live up to 8 years.
These large birds have a fluffy crest that covers their eyes, giving them a distinct appearance, also the white plumage and medium-sized frame are admired. When compared with other breeds they have smaller beaks, wattles and combs and that makes their crest shine too. These birds are found in various shades, black, white and silver. These birds need attention and care to prevent health issues and require regular trimming of the crest. They are not too hardy and need a comfortable and sheltered coop.
Redcap chicken
Redcap chicken is a dual-purpose bird that is meant for both meat and eggs. These birds weigh 6 to 7.5 lbs and have a record of producing 150 to 200 white large eggs in a year. They have a flighty and active temperament and have a lifespan of 10 years. This is a rare breed and belongs to Derbyshire and the Pennine areas of England.
They are known for their distinct large rose comb and reddish brown plumage, along with black and white markings. These birds have an alert and flighty temperament. These chickens are alive to free range and explore around instead of being in confinement. Thus, they need enough space to roam and forage inside the coop. These birds are quite hardy and can adapt to different temperatures. They are easy to care for but need protection from frostbite.
Holland Chicken
Holland Chicken are also designated for dual purpose, egg and meat and they weigh 6.5 lbs and 8.5 lbs. These birds are known to lay 200 to 240 eggs every year which are white and medium to large. They have a calm, quiet and docile temperament and have a lifespan of 8 years. Holland Chicken was developed in the 1930s at the Rutgers Breeding farms in New Jersey and can be found in two main variants: barred and white.
Their legs and skin are yellow and they have thick but soft feathers which provide them insulation during colder weather. They also have a red comb and wattles. They can adapt to various temperatures as well settings, be it a farmyard or backyard coop and an ideal coop would be 4 square feet per chicken providing them the area for free range. They are easy to handle, be it a beginner or experienced keeper.
Houdan chicken
Houdan chicken is meant for dual purpose, meat and egg and weighs 4.4 to 8 lbs. These eggs are white and usually medium to large. The chickens have a calm, gentle and friendly temperament, having a lifespan of 8 years. Houdan chickens have an origin in France and they are quite large with fluffy crests. These birds have a stunning appearance and are famous for their crazy hair.
They have a crest, beard and unusual five totes feet, and the legs are featherless. These birds are seen in two color variations, white and mottled and their legs also show various colors based on the patterns of the feathers, such as white, pink and black spots in the mottled one. The keeper needs to provide them with a dry coop and it should have at least 4 square feet of space or 10 square feet for the chickens to run. These birds are well adapted to confinement as their crest creates a limited vision making them vulnerable to predators. They also need regular grooming so that they remain healthy and in good condition.
Minorca Chicken
Minorca Chicken is a dual-purpose bird which serves both meat and eggs and they weigh 6 to 8 lbs. These birds are known to lay white large eggs about 120 to 220 in a year. They are curious, have an alert temperament and have a lifespan of 8 years. These birds originated in Spain and gained worldwide recognition for their striking appearance. They have large combs, wattles and oversized earlobes.
The birds are found in a variety of colors, black, blue and white. They have a sleek, long and slender body and are known to be the largest Mediterranean poultry breeds. They are skilled foragers and need enough space for forage. However, the keeper needs to be extra cautious during winter, as they need protection from the cold, due to large comb and wattles. They also need regular health checkups and a balanced diet, clean water for healthy egg production.
How to raise chicken for optimal egg production?
For optimal egg production, you must provide them with a proper diet which would favor egg-laying capabilities. Provide the chickens with a protein-rich diet and add calcium and essential nutrients to it. You can also provide layer feed which is formulated for laying hens. Along with these, provide them with fresh vegetables and fruits for overall growth.
Does nesting space affect egg production?
Yes, the nesting space, if comfortable and private, encourages the chicken to lay eggs. A chicken keeper must ensure to keep the nesting box spacious and fill them with soft bedding consisting of straw and wood shavings. The nesting areas should be built away from contamination and the ratio of chickens per box should be maintained.
