any experience with Townline hatcherie's ISA Browns??????

[Taylor]

are Townline's ISA-Browns good egg layers, and are they hardy in all weather

 

[smith2]

I have about 50 of them. They lay an egg everyday like clockwork. I have not had any problems with any of them and the weather. They are very hardy. The only consideration is the first molt is usually longer than other birds, and they return to lay less productive than before the molt--more like a regular chicken. But man do they lay through the first year. They are almost like an egg laying machine. I feed mine a high protein layer pellet and keep it out all the time. I don't how or what you feed and I'm not sure with this breed it would make any difference.

 

[briteday]

Good to hear this! I've ordered a bunch for this Spring and am looking forward to EGGS!!! And so are our egg customers! We certainly have 4 seasons here so the winter laying possibilities are nice...

 

[Taylor]

I always feed 21% layer pellets, and what about if i buy 25, will they all molt at the same time? if they molt at the same time then i won't get any eggs

 

[smith2]

If you have regular egg customers, you might want to order 2 batches of 25. One in Feb-Mar and one in Aug. I ordered one of my first batches the first week of Nov. and it was way too late. They had a hard winter. They need to be at least 8-10 weeks old when cold weather sets in. Mine have not all molted at the same time, but within 2 months of each other. Some say you can lose several from internal laying when they start laying, but I didn't. I deliberately slowed down their maturity rate some by decreasing light from 10-20 weeks. They are supposed to start laying at 18-20 weeks. Mine started at about 20-22 weeks.

 

[Taylor]

what do i do with the first batch of them??

 

[smith2]

I don't understand what you mean. Let the first batch start laying at 20 weeks, and start another batch at 20 weeks and you will have eggs all year long. Are you saying you only have room for a total of 25? If that is the case, advertise and sell the ones you don't want as POL pullets in the paper or at a flea market? My husband does this every year.

 

[Taylor]

my coop can hold 25 hens at once. I might order some in a few weeks and keep them until next march or april. will they lay good till then. we can sell them at the fleamarket and at someother sales that are local

 

[smith2]

Another really good thing about ISA's they eat more like a leghorn--not nearly as much as a regular dual purpose bird. Mine are quiet and calm. They all get along really well together. I have been really impressed with them. Hope you are too. Sandi

 

[Taylor]

do they lay like a leghorn???? I have 2 leghorns that neither of them has missed a day of laying since last summer!!! TRUE