There’s something pretty special about heading out to the backyard in the morning and coming back with a handful of fresh eggs.
But if eggs are one of the main reasons you’re keeping chickens, breed choice matters. Some hens are beautiful but fairly relaxed about the whole egg-laying business, while others seem determined to earn their keep almost every day.
For Australian backyard chicken keepers, you also want birds that are reasonably hardy, suited to our conditions and happy living the backyard life.
So, if a basket full of homegrown eggs is the goal, here are some of the best chicken breeds to consider.
1. ISA Brown
Egg production: Around 280–320 eggs per year
Egg colour: Brown
Best for: Maximum egg production and beginners
If eggs are your number-one priority, it’s hard to go past the ISA Brown.
ISA Browns are one of the most common backyard laying hens in Australia, and for good reason. They’re incredibly productive, generally friendly and easy to handle, making them a great choice for first-time chicken keepers.
They tend to begin laying relatively young and can produce an impressive number of large brown eggs.
The trade-off is that ISA Browns are bred specifically for high egg production. Their peak laying period can be shorter than some traditional heritage breeds, so if longevity is important to you, that’s worth considering.
Mother Clucker verdict: The hardworking girl of the flock. If you want eggs, she gets the job done.
2. Australorp
Egg production: Around 250–300 eggs per year
Egg colour: Light brown
Best for: Australian conditions, families and all-round backyard keeping
You can’t really write a list of great Australian backyard chickens without including the Australorp.
Developed right here in Australia, the Australorp is famous for its laying ability. In fact, the breed became internationally known after Australorp hens achieved extraordinary egg-laying records.
They’re generally calm, friendly and hardy, and their beautiful glossy black feathers with a green sheen make them a gorgeous addition to the backyard too.
Australorps are also a lovely option for families because they tend to have fairly gentle temperaments.
Mother Clucker verdict: Australian-made, beautiful and productive. What’s not to love?
3. Leghorn
Egg production: Around 280–320 eggs per year
Egg colour: White
Best for: Serious egg production
If you want lots of eggs and don’t mind a slightly more energetic personality, the Leghorn deserves a spot on your shortlist.
Leghorns are excellent layers of large white eggs and are known for being efficient birds that don’t require enormous amounts of feed compared with their egg output.
They’re active, alert and excellent foragers, which makes them particularly well suited to backyards where they have plenty of room to explore.
They can be more flighty than breeds such as Australorps, so they may not be the first choice if you’re looking for a chicken that wants to sit on your lap.
Mother Clucker verdict: Less cuddling, more laying.
4. Rhode Island Red
Egg production: Around 250–300 eggs per year
Egg colour: Brown
Best for: Hardy backyard flocks
Rhode Island Reds have been popular backyard chickens for generations.
They’re hardy, adaptable and reliable layers of good-sized brown eggs. They’re also excellent foragers and tend to cope well with a range of conditions.
Their rich reddish-brown feathers are gorgeous, and they have that classic farmyard-chicken look.
Temperaments can vary between individual birds, but generally they’re confident, robust hens that fit well into a backyard flock.
Mother Clucker verdict: A classic for a reason - tough, dependable and productive.
5. Plymouth Rock
Egg production: Around 200–280 eggs per year
Egg colour: Brown
Best for: Families wanting friendly hens and good egg production
With their striking black-and-white barred feathers, Plymouth Rocks are one of those chickens that look just as good wandering around the garden as they are useful in the nesting box.
They’re generally calm, friendly and curious birds, making them a great choice for families and beginner chicken keepers.
While they may not quite match an ISA Brown or Leghorn for sheer egg numbers, they offer a lovely balance between temperament, hardiness and consistent egg production.
Mother Clucker verdict: The great all-rounder - pretty, friendly and still earns her breakfast.
6. Sussex
Egg production: Around 200–280 eggs per year
Egg colour: Cream to light brown
Best for: Friendly family flocks
Sussex chickens are another fantastic backyard breed.
They’re known for being curious, friendly and often quite happy following their humans around the garden - particularly if there’s any chance food might be involved.
They’re reliable layers and good foragers, and they come in several beautiful colour varieties, with the Light Sussex being particularly popular.
If you want chickens that are productive but also have plenty of personality, Sussex hens are well worth considering.
Mother Clucker verdict: Friendly, nosy and always hopeful you’ve brought snacks.
7. Hy-Line Brown
Egg production: Around 300+ eggs per year
Egg colour: Brown
Best for: High egg production
Like the ISA Brown, the Hy-Line Brown has been developed specifically to be an extremely productive laying hen.
They’re commonly used in commercial egg production but are also kept in Australian backyards because of their excellent laying ability and generally manageable temperament.
If your main goal is simply to produce plenty of fresh backyard eggs, they’re difficult to overlook.
As with other high-production hybrid layers, however, they may not have the same productive lifespan as some heritage breeds.
Mother Clucker verdict: Another egg-laying powerhouse.
So, Which Chicken Is Best for Eggs?
If maximum egg production is your priority, ISA Browns, Hy-Line Browns and Leghorns are difficult to beat.
If you want great egg production combined with a hardy, traditional backyard breed, Australorps and Rhode Island Reds are excellent choices.
And if you want friendly family chickens that still provide plenty of eggs, Plymouth Rocks and Sussex hens are beautiful all-rounders.
There’s also absolutely nothing wrong with mixing breeds.
In fact, a mixed backyard flock can be one of the best options. You get different personalities, colours and egg shades — and it makes telling everyone apart considerably easier!
A Quick Note About Australian Summers
Whatever breed you choose, remember that Australian conditions can be tough on chickens.
During hot weather, your flock needs plenty of shade, constant access to fresh cool water and a well-ventilated coop. Chickens naturally reduce their activity during extreme heat, and egg production can temporarily drop too.
Choosing hardy breeds helps, but good backyard management makes an enormous difference.
And Remember - Chickens Aren’t Machines
Even the best laying breed won’t produce an egg every single day of her life.
Egg production naturally changes with age, season, daylight hours, moulting, nutrition and whether a hen decides she has more important things to do - like becoming broody and refusing to leave the nesting box.
That’s part of keeping chickens.
Choose breeds that suit your backyard and your lifestyle, give them good food, plenty of space to scratch and forage, and a safe place to sleep.
The fresh eggs are just one very delicious bonus.
Mother Clucker Trading Co.
For people who know chickens are never “just chickens.”