Best breed for eggs? Whats your opinion

[joe17]

Why do you want them to breed true? Are you showing? I think the leghorn fits your description the best...

 

[jamband]

Quote:
Love 'em .Best American breed for foraging, good egg layers, won't compete with Leghorns. Grow just as fast as Rocks with proper selection.

Plus i feel they have been so bread to produce in a confinement setting and that doesn't benefit me

Get them from a breeder (that selects for production)​

so you can start processing them around what 16-18 weeks? is that right?

 

[jamband]

Quote:
i dont want to be dependent on a hatchery for my chickens. I want birds that will make little birds just likee themselves

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

My barred rocks are my most consistent layers. They are great foragers, are cold hardy to the temps we get here (lowest in the single digits) and have great personalities. They are the only chickens I have that laid all winter last year. I don't have a barred rock rooster, but mine are being covered by an ameraucana rooster. The resulting EE boys have sized up fairly quickly to what I would consider slaughter size (although I don't eat mine I do sell them to those who do). If I were doing a dual purpose flock purely for food purposes I would strongly consider having only barred rocks.

Mine are from a local hatchery, so I'm not sure about breeder birds. I will also point out that mine have never gone broody. You might consider adding a silkie or cochin for broody purposes and not worry about broodiness of your main line. I have found that those that tend to be broody are not very consistent egg layers. Your silkie wouldn't eat as much as a large fowl bird and would be better at brooding anyway. My silkies can cover 8 large fowl eggs with no trouble and most seem to go broody at least twice a year if not more.

 

[joe17]

Quote:
i dont want to be dependent on a hatchery for my chickens. I want birds that will make little birds just likee themselves

Ahn gotcha. I'm sure even if they are hybrids, they will still produce laying machines. There are a bunch of pure leghorn though too. Good luck with your breed search!

 

[jamband]

Quote:
I really like the BR's as well.

You bring up a great point though about the broodiness. I should also mention I raise Muscovies so I always have an "incubator" if i needed one

 

[jarcoo0153]

I would say Minorcas or white rocks, these are my top two breeds I am partial to minorcas though!

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
Leghorns come in more patterns than just White. Do a little research and you will find that there are at least nine [9] patterns that the Leghorn come in and the will also com Single and Rose Comb.
You will have to do some looking but YES you can find "real" ones..

Chris

 

[punky rooster]

Quote:
Love 'em .Best American breed for foraging, good egg layers, won't compete with Leghorns. Grow just as fast as Rocks with proper selection.

Plus i feel they have been so bread to produce in a confinement setting and that doesn't benefit me

Get them from a breeder (that selects for production)​

so you can start processing them around what 16-18 weeks? is that right?

Yep. (For Buckeyes)

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
i dont want to be dependent on a hatchery for my chickens. I want birds that will make little birds just likee themselves

You said you want, " birds that will make little birds just like themselves" then you don't want Easter Eggers. A breed you asked about in your post.

Chris