Are you looking for the perfect brown chicken breeds to join your backyard flock?
Brown chickens come in a stunning variety of shades and patterns.
These breeds are excellent dual-purpose chickens with high egg-laying production and quality meat.
In this article, we have compiled 10 of the best and most popular brown chicken breeds to show you just how diverse your options can be!
10 Best Brown Chicken Breeds
1. Rhode Island Red
The richreddish-brown plumageof theRhode Island Redwill brighten up any flock.
These hardy chickens originated in the United States during the 1800s, crossing Malay chickens from China with Brown Leghorns.
They were bred to bedual-purpose stock, providing a steady supply of eggs and bountiful quantities of tender, flavorful meat.
In the 1940s, Rhode Island Reds were further split into two separate breeds – theheritagestrain and the industrial strain, creating a faster-growing chicken with higher egg production.
These chickens are even-tempered, friendly, and curious.
They make excellent backyard foragers, snatching up insects, snails, and occasionally small rodents cross their path.
While the roosters have been known to be aggressive, the hens are laidback and easygoing.
Species Overview
Weight: |
Hens: 6.5 pounds; Roosters: 8.5 pounds |
Egg Color: |
Light Brown |
Egg Production: |
200 – 300 yearly |
Pros
- Great egg layers
- Beginner friendly
- Hardy in any climate
Cons
- Not broody (the heritage strain does exhibit mild broodiness)
- Roosters can be aggressive
2. Golden Comet
TheGolden Cometis a delightfully docile addition to the homestead flock withlight reddish-brown and white feathers.
Though this chicken is not great for meat due to its smaller size, it lays at a prolific rate, producing nearly 330 eggs a year!
These chickens aresex-link hybrids, which means a hen will not produce Golden Comet chickens.
If you want Golden Comets, two chickens of the parent breeds are required – aNew Hampshire roosterand a White Rock hen.
Golden Comets are personable and make great companions in the backyard if left to free range.
They are relatively quiet, too, perfect for urban homesteaders who want to keep the noise level down.
Species Overview
Weight: |
Hens: 4 pounds; Roosters: 6 pounds |
Egg Color: |
Brown |
Egg Production: |
up to 330 yearly |
Pros
- Mellow demeanor
- High egg production
- 友好和温和
Cons
- No broodiness
- Prone to reproductive health issues
- Shorter life span than other breeds
- Not ideal for meat
3. Buff Brahma
The massive Brahma is a gorgeous breed withpale gold feathersspanning its body, a lace-like ruff of feathers at its neck, and a dark tail.
Due to their laid-back demeanor, this breed handles well, making them perfect showstoppers for anyone interested in the exhibition.
Brahmas are an excellent dual-purpose breed.
Hens may require up to seven months or more before reaching maturity, but they lay around 150 eggs a year.
Roosters tip the scale at twelve pounds, offering plenty of meat for the dinner table.
This hardy, heavy-duty chicken is comfortable in colder climates and often prefers to lay eggs through the winter months.
Hens are prone to broodiness with no incubator required.
Species Overview
Weight: |
Hens: 10 pounds; Roosters: 12 pounds |
Egg Color: |
Light Brown |
Egg Production: |
130 – 150 yearly |
Pros
- Calm and mild-mannered
- Decent egg-laying
- Great for meat
- Prefers to lay in later months
Cons
- Feathered feet can get wet in winter, leading to frostbite
- Requires more space due to large size
4. Lohmann Brown
TheLohmann Brownis a remarkable hybrid chicken withreddish-bronze feathersat the head, fading into a light brown or cream-colored tail.
Originally bred in Germany, these chickens are top-tier layers, reaching maturity early and producing around 380 eggs yearly.
Though not an ideal choice for meat, they can still be fattened up for the dinner table if desired.
These birds exhibit no aggression and don’t mind being handled.
Since the breed is a sex-link hybrid, the hens have little to no broodiness.
The parent breeds – Rhode Island Reds and White Rocks – will be needed to produce more Lohmann Browns.
Species Overview
Weight: |
Hens: 4 pounds; Roosters: 8 pounds |
Egg Color: |
Light to Solid Brown |
Egg Production: |
290 – 380 yearly |
Pros
- Reliable egg production
- Docile and friendly demeanor
- Calm and not easily stressed
Cons
- Low meat quality
- Egg production slows after a little over a year
- Not broody
5. Buff Orpington
Originating in England, theBuff Orpingtonis a giant, beautiful brown chicken breed with eye-catching pale golden feathers.
这个品种是短和粗壮, with heavy-duty bodies that make them a popular choice for meat production.
Hens are solid egg layers at over 200 eggs annually and are excellent broody mothers.
Buff Orpingtons are hardy cold weather birds due to their sturdy build, but they require shade in hot weather.
They have a personable and friendly demeanor toward both humans and other chickens.
They have even been known to make great cuddle buddies!
However, they often find themselves bullied to the bottom of the pecking order in the flock, so be sure to give them extra space from more aggressive breeds.
Species Overview
Weight: |
Hens: 6 – 8 pounds; Roosters: 8 -10 pounds |
Egg Color: |
Light Brown |
Egg Production: |
200 – 280 yearly |
Pros
- Very friendly and personable
- Hens are excellent brooders
- Popular choice for meat
Cons
- Not heat tolerant
- Prone to overeating and obesity
- 浓密的羽毛可以房子寄生虫
6. Swedish Flower Hen
TheSwedish Flower Henis a breathtaking beauty among brown chicken breeds.
Theirdark chocolate brown feathers are speckled with white and black.
Though the Swedish Flower Hen is an endangered breed, they are still desirable for the backyard flock due to their adaptability and egg-laying production.
This hardy bird is known for thriving in any climate and environment.
Hens and roosters have agreeable personalities and rarely exhibit aggressive behavior.
At a modest five to eight pounds, the Swedish Flower Hen can serve as a dual-purpose breed by bringing a healthy helping of meat to the table or laying up to 200 eggs a year.
Species Overview
Weight: |
Hens: 5 pounds; Roosters: 8 pounds |
Egg Color: |
Very Light Brown |
Egg Production: |
150 – 200 yearly |
Pros
- Hardy and adaptable to any climate
- Good for meat and eggs
- Non-aggressive
Cons
- Rare, difficult to obtain
- Occasionally broody but not reliably so
7. ISA Brown
TheISA Brownis amodest coppery brownreminiscent of Rhode Island Reds and Lohmann Browns.
This hybrid breed was developed in France during the 1970s, and its parent breeds are not publicized.
Hens are reliable and prolific layers, producing 300 eggs or more per year.
Due to their hybrid nature, their chicks are not actual ISA Browns.
Unfortunately, chicks also have been known to sufferkidney ailments, so it’s best to skip reproduction for this breed.
ISA Browns are well known for being low maintenance, making them a welcome addition to the flock and family.
These chickens are friendly, quiet, and love to be handled.
While hens can be prone to reproductive issues later in life due toheavy egg laying, this is a great chicken overall for beginner backyard homesteaders.
Species Overview
Weight: |
Hens: 5 pounds; Roosters: 6 pounds |
Egg Color: |
Brown |
Egg Production: |
up to 300 yearly |
Pros
- High egg production
- Friendly personality
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Prone to reproductive issues
- Egg production slows after two years
8. Brown Leghorn
TheBrown Leghorncan spice up any flock with itscolorful brown plumage.
Roosters are majestic with copper, bronze, and red hues to their feathers, topped off with a shiny black tail.
Hens are decked out in soft gold and earth tones.
This breed has been around for a long time, shipped from Italy to the United States in the 1800s.
Brown Leghorns are not known for being friendly birds and are often flighty, loud, and aloof.
They make up for what they lack in social skills with their prolific laying abilities, providing 300 or more eggs per year.
These chickens do not enjoy cold weather and prefer warmer climates, true to their Mediterranean ancestry.
Few health issues have been reported, making this breed a hardy, disease-resistant addition to the coop.
Species Overview
Weight: |
Hens: 8 – 11 pounds; Roosters: 11 – 13 pounds |
Egg Color: |
White |
Egg Production: |
over 300 yearly |
Pros
- Prolific egg-laying
- Disease resistant with few health issues
Cons
- Not tolerant of colder climates
- Loud and noisy
9. Buckeye
TheBuckeyeis alovely, rich dark brownchicken breed.
Named after the buckeye tree nut hue, this American breed developed in Ohio in the late 1800s.
Due to their heritage ancestry, these chickens can tolerate long, cold winters with their sturdy build.
Hens are friendly and agreeable to being handled.
They are moderate layers, producing roughly 200 eggs annually, with mild bouts of broodiness.
Buckeye roosters are usually easygoing until the breeding season hits. Then they can get territorial and aggressive.
Weighing anywhere from six to nine pounds, these birds offer a delicious and generous amount of meat.
Whether you’re looking for a family pet, a reliable egg layer, or a hearty meal for the table, the Buckeye is an excellent, well-rounded choice to suit any need.
Species Overview
Weight: |
Hens: 6.5 pounds; Roosters: 9 pounds |
Egg Color: |
Brown |
Egg Production: |
200 – 240 yearly |
Pros
- Dual-purpose
- Cold tolerant
- Social Personality
Cons
- Roosters can be aggressive in the breeding season
- Not predator savvy
10. Welsummer
Welsummer chickensare elegant beauties among brown chicken breeds.
Hens have golden feathers along the neck and gray-brown feathers laced with black along the body.
Roosters have an eye-catching array of plumage with a range of orange, red, gold, and iridescent black.
Initially developed in the Netherlands as a dual-purpose breed, the egg production for Welsummers can vary depending on how “pure” the breed is.
You can expect anything from 160 to 250 eggs per year, with a gorgeous spotted nut-brown or terra cotta coloring.
Welsummers are tolerant of any weather, though they prefer cooler temperatures.
Due to their stocky build, they are not great flyers, so a safe space to hide from predators is required.
Though these chickens are independent, they appreciate a few treats occasionally and do not generally exhibit aggressive behaviors.
Species Overview
Weight: |
Hens: 13 pounds; Roosters: 15 pounds |
Egg Color: |
Dark Brown |
Egg Production: |
160 – 250 yearly |
Pros
- Great for meat and eggs
- Docile and even-tempered
Cons
- Can be noisy
- Egg production can vary
FAQs about Brown Chicken Breeds
What color are the eggs laid by brown chicken breeds?
Brown chicken breeds typically lay brown eggs, although the shade of brown can vary depending on the breed.
蛋壳的颜色是由genetics of the chicken and can range from light brown to dark brown.
Brown eggs are popular among consumers and are often associated with free-range and organic farming practices.
How do you care for and maintain the feather quality of brown chicken breeds?
To maintain the feather quality of brown chicken breeds, it’s important to provide them with a healthy diet that is high in protein.
Feathers are made of protein, so a diet that is deficient in protein can lead to poor feather growth and quality.
定期梳理and cleaning of the coop or housing area can also help to prevent feather damage and promote healthy feather growth.
Additionally, providing a dust bath area can help to keep feathers clean and free of parasites.
Can brown chicken breeds be kept in a mixed flock with other poultry?
Yes, brown chicken breeds can be kept in a mixed flock with other poultry, such as other types of chickens or ducks.
However, it’s important to make sure that the housing and feeding requirements are appropriate for all types of poultry and to monitor the flock for any signs of aggression or bullying.
Some brown chicken breeds, such as the Buff Orpington, are known for their docile and friendly temperament, which can make them a good choice for a mixed flock.
It’s also important to consider the size and age of the birds in the flock, as smaller or younger birds may be more vulnerable to bullying or injury.
Brown Chicken Breeds: Before You Go…
Brown chicken breeds come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.
Some are great dual-purpose birds, producing meat and eggs to keep you well-fed.
While others make wonderful companions or family pets with their social personalities and gentle demeanors.
Some breeds are subtly colored with muted natural shades of brown, while others are showstopping birds with vibrant, elaborate plumage.
No matter what you’re looking for, there is undoubtedly a brown chicken breed that will fit the bill!
Interested to learn more about other chicken breeds and their colors? We got some interesting reads for you below!
