Which lays more eggs, the Rhode Island Red or the Australorp?

They're about even: Rhode Island Reds typically lay 250–300 eggs a year and Australorps 250–300. Individual hens and strains vary more than the breed averages do.

Which starts laying first, the Rhode Island Red or the Australorp?

The Rhode Island Red usually starts sooner, at 18–20 weeks old; the Australorp typically starts at 20–24 weeks. Daylight is the wildcard for both — a fall-hatched pullet often waits for lengthening spring days regardless of breed.

Can you keep Rhode Island Reds and Australorps together?

Yes. Both need the same feed, coop, and run, and mixed-breed backyard flocks are the norm. Size the housing to the more demanding bird: plan on 4 sq ft of coop floor per bird for this pairing, plus run space.

What color eggs do Rhode Island Reds and Australorps lay?

Both lay brown eggs, so this pairing won't diversify your egg basket — blue- and green-egg layers like the Easter Egger are the usual way to add color.

Rhode Island Red vs Australorp: Which Chicken Breed Should You Get?

The short answer: both lay a similar number of eggs (250–300 vs 250–300 a year), and the Rhode Island Red starts sooner, at 18–20 weeks.

Figures reviewed against hatchery and breed-registry guidance · Last reviewed July 2026

Side by side

	Rhode Island Red	Australorp
Eggs per year	≈ 250–300	≈ 250–300
Egg color	brown	brown
First egg	18–20 weeks	20–24 weeks
Size class	standard	standard
Coop floor per bird	4 sq ft	4 sq ft

Two of the best dual-purpose layers ever bred: the Australorp holds old-time laying records, the Rhode Island Red is the dependable all-weather workhorse — and on paper their numbers nearly match.

Rhode Island Red in brief

The classic American dual-purpose breed: hardy, low-drama, and a dependable layer through weather that shuts other breeds down.

More detail: when do Rhode Island Red chickens start laying?

Australorp in brief

The Australian Orpington, and holder of old-time laying records (a hen credited with 364 eggs in 365 days). Docile, glossy black, and steady in winter.

More detail: when do Australorp chickens start laying?

Which should you pick?

Pick the Rhode Island Red for a slightly earlier start (18–20 weeks vs 20–24) and its famous hardiness in bad weather.

Pick the Australorp for a calmer, more docile bird with the same laying power — and a record-holder’s pedigree (a hen once credited with 364 eggs in 365 days).

And honestly, most keepers don't have to choose. Both breeds eat the same feed and share a coop happily, so a couple of each is a common answer — use the coop size calculator to size the setup for your total flock, and the first egg calculator to see when each breed will start laying from your chicks' hatch date.

Frequently asked questions

Which lays more eggs, the Rhode Island Red or the Australorp?: They're about even: Rhode Island Reds typically lay 250–300 eggs a year and Australorps 250–300. Individual hens and strains vary more than the breed averages do.
Which starts laying first, the Rhode Island Red or the Australorp?: The Rhode Island Red usually starts sooner, at 18–20 weeks old; the Australorp typically starts at 20–24 weeks. Daylight is the wildcard for both — a fall-hatched pullet often waits for lengthening spring days regardless of breed.
Can you keep Rhode Island Reds and Australorps together?: Yes. Both need the same feed, coop, and run, and mixed-breed backyard flocks are the norm. Size the housing to the more demanding bird: plan on 4 sq ft of coop floor per bird for this pairing, plus run space.
What color eggs do Rhode Island Reds and Australorps lay?: Both lay brown eggs, so this pairing won't diversify your egg basket — blue- and green-egg layers like the Easter Egger are the usual way to add color.

More breed matchups

Sources

First-egg age and egg counts are the consensus of multiple hatchery and breed-registry sources (no extension service tabulates per-breed figures), cross-checked and last reviewed July 2026.

The Livestock Conservancy — Chicken breed profiles