Is the ISA Brown or White Leghorn a better egg layer?

The ISA Brown lays about 280–320 eggs a year; the White Leghorn lays about 260–320. On eggs it's close — expect roughly 280–320 a year from the ISA Brown and 260–320 from the White Leghorn.

ISA Brown vs White Leghorn — which is better for beginners?

Both the ISA Brown and the White Leghorn are beginner-friendly and forgiving of first-time mistakes.

ISA Brown photo: Mercoaves (CC BY-SA 4.0) · White Leghorn photo: Bodlina (CC BY-SA 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons

ISA Brown vs White Leghorn

Two backyard favorites, side by side — egg production, temperament, size, and hardiness, straight from our breed data. Here's how to choose.

The quick verdict

On eggs it's close — expect roughly 280–320 a year from the ISA Brown and 260–320 from the White Leghorn.

The ISA Brown lays brown eggs; the White Leghorn lays white.

Only the ISA Brown is rated cold-hardy, so it's the safer bet for hard winters; the White Leghorn needs more cold-weather care.

Both egg layer birdsBoth handle heat wellBoth beginner-friendly

Choose the ISA Brown if you want…

Shrugs off hard winters
Calmer and more handleable

Full ISA Brown profile →

Choose the White Leghorn if you want…

Nearly identical on paper — comes down to looks and what's available locally

Full White Leghorn profile →

Side by side

Trait	ISA Brown	White Leghorn
Purpose	Egg layer	Egg layer
Eggs per year	✓280–320	260–320
Egg color	Brown	White
Egg size	Large	Large
Hen weight	4–5 lbs	4–5 lbs
Temperament	Docile and affectionate	Active and flighty
Cold hardy	Yes	No
Heat tolerant	Yes	Yes
Broodiness	Rarely broody	Rarely broody
Beginner friendly	Yes	Yes

Egg counts are healthy-hen peaks; real numbers dip in winter, during molt, and as a hen ages. Size a coop for either bird with our coop size calculator.

More head-to-heads

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Or browse every comparison · see all 51 breeds

ISA Brown or White Leghorn — track whichever you pick

Give every bird a profile in PoultryPal, log their eggs and weight, and let the app show you which hen is really your best layer. Free on iOS and Android.