Most prolific laying hen breeds?

Ah Ha, There is an new name to an old face, David, how in the world are you?

I have been reading about ISA browns lately and I think they may have surpassed the Leghorn or Legghern for best overall production and ease in keeping. I have not idea since I have never even seen one but the name keep appearing in articles I have read on the most efficient layers.
 
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Im good. Thanks for asking.

There is always a bit of confusion on this matter. The Leghorn is considered the top egg producing breed across the board. All commercial egg breeds are based on it, for good reason.
However, they are flighty, high strung and tend to be harder to deal with in the casual backyard flock. Consistency is often an issue with them. Flatly put, they don't always make the best egg layers in the 'yard confetti' flock.

That is where the dual pupose hybrids have come into play. They are usually a cross of one of the Reds and/or BR's. The ISA Browns you mention, Cinnamon Queens, Red Stars and so on fall into this category. They are more docile and have the advantage of hybrid vigor, and so tend to be less influenced by disturbances in their environment. They often produce more consistently than other breeds, although this diminishes in suceeding generations as the hybrid genetics water down.

It should also be said here - with the best intentions, of course - that most BYC'ers don't keep good records nor maintain rigid selection practices. They tend to work with small yard flocks and often go with their 'gut' when commenting about their flocks' egg laying capacity. As much fun as it is to talk chickens here, such information has to be regarded as anecdotal.
Much the same can be said for advertsiing hype put out by hatcheries.

This doesn't mean that the hybrid breeds do not produce - au contraire! With proper care, they are capable of some good production, but it should be remembered that they are hybrids. Suceeding generations will fall off unless careful selection and "re-blooding" is practiced.

Just for the record, something closer to 200 eggs/year has always been considered a very good norm for the single, casual flock. Getting more requires special management over a long period of time.
 
Which breeds are the best layers? I am talking pure egg production? Just curious
Thanks in advance

The best layers under ideal conditions (good light and warm temperatures) are White Leghorns. A White Leghorn holds the world laying record (set in 1979) with 371 eggs in 365 days. However, in areas where winters are long and cold, Black and Red Sex Links will outlay them. Among the standard brown egg laying breeds (Sex Links are hybrids), the Black Australorp is the best layer. Until it was broken in 1979 by the White leghorn, a Black Australorp held the world laying record with 364 eggs in 365 days (still the brown egg laying record).
 
About when do black Australorps start laying? Mine is 19 weeks old. Of my two white Leghorns, one has started laying five days ago and is also 19 weeks old and has laid 5 eggs so far.
 
About when do black Australorps start laying? Mine is 19 weeks old. Of my two white Leghorns, one has started laying five days ago and is also 19 weeks old and has laid 5 eggs so far.

Typically from 20-25 weeks. You should start getting eggs soon. Also, the first eggs will be on the smaller side, but will get bigger as they lay. In my experience, the Leghorns start laying a little earlier, but the Australorps have a longer laying life. Good luck in getting those eggs.
 
Typically from 20-25 weeks. You should start getting eggs soon. Also, the first eggs will be on the smaller side, but will get bigger as they lay. In my experience, the Leghorns start laying a little earlier, but the Australorps have a longer laying life. Good luck in getting those eggs.
Thanks
 

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