Hamburg
Egg layerNetherlands and Germany
Elegant, spangled, and quick as a sparrow, the Hamburg is one of Europe's oldest documented breeds and a remarkably persistent layer of small white eggs. It wants room to roam and a tall roost, and it will find both whether you provide them or not.
Eggs per year
150–220
Egg color
White
Egg size
Small
Hen weight
3.5–4.5 lbs
Temperament
Flighty and spirited
Broodiness
Rarely goes broody
Did you know?
Old Dutch keepers nicknamed Hamburgs "everyday layers" for their habit of producing an egg nearly every day for years on end.
Hamburg egg production
Expect roughly 150–220 white eggs a year from a Hamburg in her prime — about 3–4 a week, or 13–18 dozen over the course of a year. That makes it a solid, dependable layer. Production naturally dips during the annual molt and the short days of winter, and eases off as a hen ages past her second or third year. Most pullets lay their first egg somewhere between five and eight months old.
Temperament & handling
The Hamburg is generally described as flighty and spirited. They tend to be active, alert foragers that would rather be busy in the run than sitting in your lap, so give them space and things to do.
Climate & care
Rated cold-hardy, the Hamburg rides out hard winters well as long as the coop stays dry and draft-free — keep drinking water from freezing and watch combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze. It handles summer heat comfortably too, given shade, cool water, and good airflow.
Broodiness & raising chicks
Hamburghens rarely go broody, which keeps the eggs coming but means they won't usually raise their own chicks. To hatch, you'll want an incubator — our incubation calculator tracks every step.
Space & feeding
A Hamburg hen is a small bird at 3.5–4.5 lbs. As a rule of thumb, a small flock of 6 would want around 24 sq ft of coop and 60 sq ft of run, with about 2 nest boxes and 5 ft of roost. Size it to your own flock with the coop size calculator, and estimate the monthly feed bill — and your real cost per egg — with the feed cost calculator.
Is the Hamburg right for you?
A great fit if…
- You want a dependable supply of eggs
- You get real winters and need a hardy bird
- You keep chickens in a hot climate
Think twice if…
- You want the most low-maintenance possible first bird
- You want the absolute maximum egg output
- You want a lap chicken that loves being handled
Hamburg FAQ
- How many eggs do Hamburg chickens lay?
- A healthy Hamburg hen lays about 150–220 white eggs a year — roughly 3–4 a week, or 13–18 dozen over a year. Output drops during winter and the annual molt, and eases as a hen ages.
- What color eggs do Hamburgs lay?
- Hamburgs lay white eggs, small in size.
- How big do Hamburg chickens get?
- A Hamburg hen weighs roughly 3.5–4.5 lbs — a small bird — with roosters running a little heavier.
- Are Hamburgs cold-hardy?
- Yes. The Hamburg is rated cold-hardy and rides out hard winters well, provided the coop stays dry and draft-free. Keep water from freezing and check combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze.
- Are Hamburgs good for beginners?
- The Hamburg is flighty and spirited and tends to suit keepers with a little experience more than absolute beginners.
- Do Hamburg hens go broody?
- Rarely. Hamburg hens seldom go broody, so they keep laying steadily but won't usually hatch their own chicks.
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