Rising maize prices and increasing competition caused by rising human food demand are forcing poultry producers to seek alternative energy sources. Newly released grain sorghum varieties in western Ethiopia may serve as a viable substitute, but their effects on laying hen performance and profitability need assessment. To assess the effects of replacing maize with a recently introduced sorghum variety (Assosa‑1) on feed intake, body weight change, feed conversion efficiency, egg production, egg quality, and economic return in Bovans Brown laying hens. A 90‑day feeding trial was conducted at Assosa Agricultural Research Station using a Completely Randomized Design with three treatments (also called as trials) and three batches. A total of 180 Bovans Brown layers of similar age and an average initial body weight of 1,678.35 g were randomly assigned to three diets: maize-based diet in the control group (T1), the group with diet based on sorghum Assosa‑1 completely replacing maize (T2), and the group that received a diet with 50 % maize and 50 % Assosa‑1 (T3). Data were collected on dry matter intake, body weight, egg production performance, feed efficiency, egg quality traits, and partial budget calculation. Dry matter intake and body weight change did not differ between the groups T1 and T2. Hen-day egg production and feed conversion efficiency favored the sorghum diet (T2) over the control group. Yolk weight was higher in the group T2, while albumen weight was highest in the group T3. Economic analysis showed that T2 provided the greatest financial return. The improved grain sorghum variety Assosa‑1 can effectively replace maize in diets of Bovans Brown layers without negative effects on feed intake, body weight, or egg quality, while improving egg production performance and feed conversion efficiency. Using the locally released sorghum varieties as a maize substitute can reduce feed cost, improve profitability, and support sustainable livestock and food production in maize-challenged regions.