If you’re wondering what chickens lay white eggs, you’re not alone. While many backyard chicken keepers focus on brown or colorful eggs, several popular breeds consistently produce bright white eggs. Whether you’re choosing hens for maximum egg production, friendly personalities or ornamental beauty, these eight white egg-laying breeds can help you build the perfect flock.

Key Takeaways

• White egg color is determined by genetics, not feather color.
• White Leghorns are the most prolific white egg layers, producing up to 300 eggs per year.
• Other reliable white egg breeds include Hamburgs, Anconas, Andalusians, Campines, Houdans, Polish and Dorkings.
• Temperament varies widely, with some breeds being excellent family pets while others are better suited to experienced keepers.
• Consider personality, climate and housing needs—not just egg production—when selecting a breed.

Chicken Breeds That Lay White Eggs

So, if you are wondering what chickens lay white eggs, here are eight popular breeds to pique your interest.

#1 Leghorn

With their excellent feed-to-egg ratio, Leghorns are the most popular egg-laying breed in the U.S.  The White Leghorn is the primary white egg-producing breed used in commercial egg farms and a popular breed found in many backyard flocks. Leghorn hens produce 5 – 6 large white eggs weekly (280 – 300 eggs annually).

Leghorns are flighty, excellent foragers and active birds who, if given the opportunity, will sleep in the trees rather than the coop. However, this practice is not advised, as a Leghorn’s white feathering is easy for predators to spot.

The Leghorn comes in several striking colors: Black, Black-Tailed Red, Buff, Columbian, Dark Brown, Exchequer, Light Brown, Red, and White. It is also among only a few breeds available in single and rose-combed varieties.

#2 Andalusian

Also known as the Blue Andalusian, this breed will make a lovely addition to the coop. With their beautiful slate-blue coloring and excellent egg production, Andalusions are among the most popular white egg breeds for backyard flocks. Andalusian hens average 4 – 6 medium white eggs weekly (200 – 220 eggs annually).

Close-up of an Andalusian chicken strutting around a garden. lizcoughlan/Adobe Stock

Andalusians are active, flighty birds that prefer little human interaction. This talkative and noisy breed does best when kept in small numbers.

Andalusians are recognized in one color, a striking laced blue. However, the breed’s color doesn’t breed true, resulting in black or splashed-colored offspring.

#3 Dorking

When many backyard flock enthusiasts consider what chickens lay white eggs, Dorking rarely comes to mind. While the breed is often considered a table bird, Dorking hens are fair producers, averaging 2 – 4  white eggs weekly (100 – 120 eggs annually).

What they lack in egg production, Dorkings make up for with their friendly, people-loving personalities. This breed is calm and one of the few white egg layers to go broody.

Silver Dorking special breed cockerel standing alone on the grass. marilyn barbone/Adobe Stock

Dorkings come in several recognized colors: Red, Silver-Gray, and White, with the Silver-gray being the most popular of the three varieties.

#4 Houdan

Houdans are one of the most prolific ornamental breeds. With their unique crest, muffs, and beards, Houdans resemble more of a fancy show chicken than an egg producer. While the breed is excellent on the show table, hens of this breed are excellent egg-layers, averaging 3 – 5 medium-white eggs weekly (120 – 150 eggs annually).

Houdan chickens in the garden. Koos/Adobe Stock 

While they can be flighty, Houdan hens are often friendly and ideal family pets.

Houdans come in two color varieties, Mottled and White.

Did you know? Both the Houdan and Dorking breeds have five toes.

#5 Polish

With their cute crest and beautiful feather patterns, it’s hard not to fall in love with Polish hens. Sweet, calm, and quiet, these hens are known for their friendly disposition, making them a good choice for family pets. Hens are good layers, averaging 2 – 5 medium white eggs weekly (100 – 150 annually).

Buff Laced Polish chicken with crest of feathers. Sunshower Shots/Adobe Stock

Because their feather crest can limit vision, Polish chickens should be supervised when free-ranging or kept in secure areas where predators are less of a concern.

Polish comes in various eye-catching colors: Black, Blue, Buff Laced, Golden, Gold Laced, Silver Laced, White, White Crested Black, and White Crested Blue.

#6 Ancona

Ancona chickens are among the most prolific white egg-layers. Hens average 4 – 6 medium white eggs weekly (200-220 eggs annually).

Ancona hen with large red comb. jenngarcia/Adobe Stock

While they excel in egg production, Ancona hens may not be suitable for many backyard flocks as they are flighty and aggressive. This breed wants no human interactions and prefers to spend its days free-ranging. Ancona hens do not tolerate confinement and are not suited for a suburban area.

The breed comes in one color: black with a beautiful beetle-green sheen and striking white speckles across the head and body.

#7 Hamburg

Hamburg chickens are among the most uniquely patterned chickens available today. With their spangled feathers, they could easily be known as the “polka-dotted breed.” Despite their ornamental look, Hamburg hens are good producers, averaging 3 – 5 medium white eggs weekly (120 – 150 eggs annually).

Hamburg Chicken. Courtesy Oregon Department of Agriculture/Flickr

A Hamburg hen’s personality is a little unpredictable as some strains of this breed have a nervous and high-strung personality, while others are friendly, talkative, and sociable.

This breed comes in six striking colors: Black, Gold Penciled, Gold Spangled, Silver Penciled, Silver Spangled, and White.

#8 Campine

The Campine (pronounced Campeen) is known for its matching plumage in hens and roosters. The roosters lack the long sickle, hackle, and neck feathers that many roosters sport. Campine hens are nonsitters and respectable egg layers, averaging 3 – 5 medium white eggs weekly (140-200 eggs annually).

pinevalley/Thinkstock

Flighty and inquisitive, Campine hens may often be aloof until they warm up to you. If handled frequently, Campines make friendly and endearing flock members. While the breed is active and prefers free-ranging, keeping birds in confinement may be necessary for a friendly flock.

The Campine comes in two colors: Golden and Silver. Both color markings are the same, with the head and neck a solid gold/silver and lightly barred with black on the body feathers and tail.

What Chickens Lay White Eggs: FAQ

What breed of chicken lays the most white eggs?

The White Leghorn is the most prolific white egg layer, producing up to 300 eggs per year.

Do white chickens always lay white eggs?

Not always—egg color depends on genetics, not feather color.

Are white eggs less nutritious than brown eggs?

No, white and brown eggs have the same nutritional value; the color difference is cosmetic.

What determines whether a chicken lays white eggs?

Eggshell color is determined by genetics. A hen’s breed—not her feather color—determines whether she lays white, brown, blue or green eggs.

Which white egg-laying breed is best for beginners?

White Leghorns are excellent producers but can be flighty. For families or first-time chicken keepers, breeds like Polish or Dorkings may be easier to manage because of their calmer temperaments.

White Egg Laying Chickens: Final Thoughts

Whether your goal is filling the egg basket every morning or raising eye-catching heritage breeds, knowing what chickens lay white eggs makes it easier to choose the right flock. By matching each breed’s egg production, temperament and care requirements to your lifestyle, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a steady supply of fresh white eggs.

This article about what chickens lay white eggs was written for Chickens magazine online. Click here to subscribe.