Struggling to choose the best layer chicken breeds for your layer farm?
You’re not alone.
There are over 40 layer chicken breeds in the world. Yes, 40!
And trying to pick one from that list is overwhelming, even for experienced farmers.
But here’s the good news:
You don’t need all 40 breeds to make money.
After all, how many breeds can you keep on a single farm?
What you need is a practical shortlist of the 3 best layer chicken breeds.The best performing.
Note that if you’re in any other tropical country, this post is also for you.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the top 3 best layer chicken breeds that do well in Kenya’s climate, lay plenty of eggs, and are loved by farmers.
And because I like you, I’ll also give you a number 4 bonus breed to keep in mind.
By the end, you’ll know exactly which one suits your goals.
1. ISA BROWN
ISA Brown is a hybrid chicken – a mix of several breeds.
It’s arguably the best brown egg layer worldwide.
✨ Did you know?
“ISA” stands for Institut de Sélection Animale – French for ‘Animal Breeding Institute.
They lay around 280–300 eggs per year with good feeding and care.
Their eggs are medium-sized and dark brown in colour.
With a lifespan of 2–4 years, they’re productive and efficient.
Though some reports say they’re harsh, most farmers say ISA Browns are calm and easy to manage.
They’re excellent for commercial farms due to their great feed-to-egg conversion ratio.
That means fewer feeds, more eggs and more money.
They start laying at 18–22 weeks and adapt very well to Kenya’s tropical climate.
Since they also do great in both cages and deep litter systems, they are a perfect breed for most Kenyan farmers.
Learn more about the ISA Brown chicken breed here:
https://www.brownsfamilyfarmstead.com/post/isa-brown-chicken-breed-guide
2. HY-LINE BROWN
Hy-Line is another layer breed among the top performers in Kenya.
✨ Did you know?
It’s a sex-link breed – you can tell males from females at day-old.
Females hatch red, males hatch white.
Hy-Lines can lay up to 330+ eggs per year – the highest of all.
They produce medium to large brown eggs, depending on feeding.
They start laying around 18–20 weeks, and live for 4–5 years.
They’re calm, farmer-friendly, and perform well in both deep litter and battery cages.
Although their feed conversion is slightly lower than ISA Brown, they still offer excellent returns.
They also adapt well to both hot and cold regions and can be raised perfectly in Kenya with the right setup.
Hy-Line International offers a detailed breed profile with feeding and care tips here:
https://www.hyline.com/varieties
3. LOHMANN BROWN
The Lohmann Brown.
This breed is perfect for beginners raising chickens for eggs at home.
But it’s also good for commercial use.
✨ Did you know?
Lohmann Browns are considered the friendliest chicken breed.
Some farmers say they’re so gentle, they could dine with you!
They lay about 320 eggs a year, starting from around 19 weeks.
Eggs are light to medium brown in colour.
They live up to 5–10 years and have decent feed efficiency.
They’re also great in hot climates and thrive in both housing systems.
They’re the best layer chicken breed for the complete beginner in need of eggs for his/her family.
For more details about the management of Lohmann Brown Classic. Check out this from Lohmann Breeders:
https://www.lohmanngb.co.uk/products/lohmann-brown-classic/
Bonus:
WHITE LEGHORN
You’ve probably heard of this white egg-laying breed.
While not popular in Kenya due to egg colour preference, they’re incredibly productive.
✨ Did you know?
Leghorns come in multiple colours: black, buff, brown, golden – but white is the most popular for egg production.
White Leghorns lay about 289–320 white eggs/year.
They tolerate heat well and live for 4–6 years in backyard setups.
They’re gentle but active – often described as “noisy” by farmers.
They’re a good choice if your market prefers white eggs.
Get the detailed guide of the White Leghorn below:
https://www.brownsfamilyfarmstead.com/post/leghorn-chicken-breed-guide
🔍 Quick Summary
| Category | Breed |
| Most eggs | Hy-Line Brown |
| Best feed efficiency | ISA Brown |
| Calmest and friendliest | Lohmann Brown |
| Best for beginners (Personal use) | Lohmann Brown |
| Best for beginners (Commercial) | ISA Brown |
| Best for advanced setups | Hy-Line Brown |
| Most popular in Kenya | ISA Brown |
| Best for white eggs | White Leghorn |
Which Breed Works Best in Kenya?
All the above breeds can adapt to Kenya’s warm weather.
Here’s how they rank in heat tolerance and adaptability:
1. ISA Brown – Excellent
2. Lohmann Brown – Good
3. Hy-Line Brown – Good, but needs care in high temperature seasons
Which Breed is Most Profitable?
Most layers chicken beginner farmers think profit is about the number of eggs you sell.
While this is partly true, it’s not the entire truth.
Profit isn’t just about egg numbers.
You also need to think about feed costs,the feed to egg conversion rate of your birds,survival rate, egg market,your setup and the business aspects.
Like we call it..“The Business Of Layers“
And for that, here’s a profitability score based on Kenyan conditions:
1. ISA Brown – Best for feed efficiency and low death rate
2. Lohmann Brown – Consistent performance and gentle temperament
3. Hy-Line Brown – Profitable if you have systems in place for precision care
What Next?
Now you probably know which breed you intend to buy.
To help you further, I’ll write a post explaining the factors to consider when choosing the best layer chicken breeds for you to keep.
But how do you get started?
I’ve created a practical 6-step guide to help you launch your layer farm smoothly.
👉 Read the 6-Step Guide to Starting a Layer Farm Here:
https://secretlayers.co.ke/blog/6-steps-to-start-a-layers-poultry-farm/
Enter your details to grab a free copy of the printable free guide and regular Layer Chicken Digest tips via email:
“6 SIMPLE STEPS TO START A PROFITABLE LAYER POULTRY FARM”
See you next Friday.
Carlos Deche
carlosdeche4040@gmail.com
secretlayerke@gmail.com
secretlayers.co.ke
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