Best Cold Hardy, Snowing, Below Freezing, Laying Breeds?

[kees]

Quote:

Suzy

 

[justamouse]

I have comets, sex links and Delawares-I'm getting about 10 eggs a day from 14 birds so I think they're doing just fine. I was actually surprised they were still going strong.

 

[KattyKillFish]

my egyptian fayoumis are almost completely unphased by the cold. they escaped a day or two ago and were foraging, bathing and pecking around in the snow. they are ill tempered mean selfish WILD little brats. i handled them and spoiled them just as much as i handled and spoiled the others and they are still nasty and mean compared to my other hens who are kind-hearted and people loving.


cuckoo marans lay all throughout the winter with no break at all no matter how the light looks. heck, she lays better than my red & black stars. my maran roo is getting frostbite though. i wouldn't call that cold hardiness.

the only bird i have that's bothered by the cold is my tiny little gold phoenix bantam. poor dear cuddles as close as she can to her favorite roo for warmth.

 

[Mahonri]

Brahmas, Cochins, EEs and Wyandottes.

 

[patman75]

Quote:
I should of specified.... Best winter laying breed when it is below freezing and snowing.

 

[chickenannie]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Buff Orpingtons. They are extremely fluffy and large and are very cold-hardy. Mine lay eggs all winter long! In general, short-combed birds do better. Long-combed birds have more tropical ancestry for warm/hot weather.

 

[augustmomx2]

I have a mixed-flock, that I ordered from Ideal last March. All of them (except an EE) were laying an egg a day for me in the warmer months. Now that winter has hit, I have found the following breeds to be the best layers:

*Gold-Sex Links
*Barred Rocks
*Australorps (out of the 2 I have, I always find one of my BAs in the nestbox when its laying time)

The other two breeds; EEs & SL Wyandottes, hardly lay at all. I am able to tell its them, cuz of the type of egg. I would say my EEs give me an egg every 3-4 days, my Wyandottes the same rate and I have 2 of each breed.

I do add supplemental light/heat from 4am, and allow them to roost & go to sleep on their own. HTH!

 

[KattyKillFish]

Quote:
yes! it's true! and uncle of mine got some this winter and let them mingle with his barred rocks. he gets a darn good amount of eggs from them all year long.

 

[chookchick]

Can I ask for another clarification on this list? Of those of you with hens laying well now, which of these are in their 2nd or 3rd year? I think it is likely that many of the breeds will lay well the pullet year, but not as well after that.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
My brahmas are in their second year, i.e., this is their second winter of laying.