Choosing the Right Laying Breed: Golden Comet vs. Popular Alternatives
If you're building a backyard flock for egg production, breed selection is one of the most important decisions you'll make. The right breed means consistent eggs, manageable temperament, and hens that thrive in your climate. Here's how the most popular laying breeds stack up — and why we raise Golden Comets at Stafford Hill Farms.
What to Look for in a Laying Breed
Before comparing breeds, know what matters most to you:
- Egg production — How many eggs per year? What size?
- Temperament — Friendly and handleable, or flighty and independent?
- Cold hardiness — Important if you're in a northern climate
- Feed efficiency — How much feed per egg produced?
- Dual-purpose potential — Do you want a bird that's also table-worthy?
- Broodiness — Broody hens stop laying. Some breeds are more prone than others.
Golden Comet
The Golden Comet is a sex-link hybrid — a cross between a Rhode Island Red rooster and a White Rock hen. It's one of the most productive laying breeds in the world and our breed of choice at Stafford Hill Farms.
- Eggs per year: 250–300 large brown eggs
- Egg color: Medium to dark brown
- Temperament: Calm, friendly, excellent with children and beginners
- Cold hardiness: Very good
- Broodiness: Rarely broody — they just keep laying
- Feed efficiency: Excellent — one of the best converters of feed to eggs
- Maturity: Begin laying at 16–18 weeks — earlier than most breeds
Best for: Beginners, families, anyone who wants maximum egg production with minimum fuss. If eggs are your primary goal, it's hard to beat a Golden Comet.
Rhode Island Red
The Rhode Island Red is one of the most iconic American laying breeds and one of the parents of the Golden Comet.
- Eggs per year: 200–280 large brown eggs
- Egg color: Medium brown
- Temperament: Active and assertive — can be bossy in mixed flocks
- Cold hardiness: Excellent
- Broodiness: Occasionally broody
- Feed efficiency: Good
Best for: Experienced keepers who want a proven, hardy breed with good production. Not always the best choice for beginners due to assertive temperament.
Plymouth Rock (Barred Rock)
A classic dual-purpose American breed known for its calm temperament and consistent production.
- Eggs per year: 200–280 large brown eggs
- Egg color: Light to medium brown
- Temperament: Calm, docile, great with children
- Cold hardiness: Excellent
- Broodiness: Occasionally broody
- Feed efficiency: Moderate — larger body means more feed
Best for: Families who want a friendly, dual-purpose bird. Slightly lower production than Golden Comets but a wonderful all-around farm chicken.
Leghorn
The Leghorn is the commercial egg industry standard — the breed behind most white eggs in grocery stores.
- Eggs per year: 280–320 large white eggs
- Egg color: White
- Temperament: Active, flighty, independent — not particularly friendly
- Cold hardiness: Moderate — large combs are susceptible to frostbite
- Broodiness: Rarely broody
- Feed efficiency: Excellent — small body, high output
Best for: Maximum white egg production in mild climates. Not ideal for beginners or families looking for friendly birds.
Australorp
An Australian breed developed from Black Orpingtons, the Australorp holds the world record for egg production (364 eggs in 365 days by one hen). A fantastic all-around breed.
- Eggs per year: 250–300 large brown eggs
- Egg color: Light to medium brown
- Temperament: Calm, gentle, excellent with beginners
- Cold hardiness: Very good
- Broodiness: Occasionally broody
- Feed efficiency: Good
Best for: Anyone who wants Golden Comet-level production in a heritage breed. A great choice if you prefer a purebred bird.
Easter Egger / Ameraucana
Known for their colorful blue and green eggs, Easter Eggers are a favorite for backyard flocks that want variety.
- Eggs per year: 150–200 medium eggs
- Egg color: Blue, green, olive — varies by individual hen
- Temperament: Friendly and curious
- Cold hardiness: Good
- Broodiness: Occasionally broody
- Feed efficiency: Moderate
Best for: Adding color to your egg basket. Lower production than Golden Comets, but the novelty factor is real — blue and green eggs are a conversation starter.
The Bottom Line
For pure egg production, friendly temperament, and beginner-friendliness, the Golden Comet is hard to beat. That's why it's the breed we raise and sell at Stafford Hill Farms. Our pullets are raised on the farm, vaccinated, and ready to lay — so you skip the brooder stage entirely and go straight to eggs.
If you're ready to start your flock or add to an existing one, our ready-to-lay Golden Comet pullets are available for pickup seasonally. Check our current availability and pickup dates on the pullets page.