Best Breed For Laying?

[Silver Bantam]

I was just wondering what breed you guys think is the best breed for laying? I am trying to find this out, because I am really wanting to order some hatching eggs to put under one of our broody hens. The ones that I can find that are closest to us at the moment, are RIR, Plymouth Rocks, and that's pretty much it. I haven't really looked into that side of it to much yet though, I just wanted to know what breed to look for. Any advise welcome

 

[CityFarmer202]

I love Brahma's, with their pretty colors and feathered feet I also like brown leghorns, pro reds, and australorps, which are probably the best layers here, though the leghorns and pro's are right behind them.

3 of my light Brahma Cocks (the pro red is in the back)

Strike, One of my buff Brahma pullets.

 

[Silver Bantam]

I love Brahma's, with their pretty colors and feathered feet I also like brown leghorns, pro reds, and australorps, which are probably the best layers here, though the leghorns and pro's are right behind them.

3 of my light Brahma Cocks (the pro red is in the back)

Strike, One of my buff Brahma pullets.

They sound cool So what are the Leghorns like? I'm pretty sure they are the most common of the breeds you suggested in our area

 

[CityFarmer202]

yeah The leghorns lay really well, but are pretty flighty, at least the strain i have is. They are really common...the brown ones are really pretty They have a really curious personality and love to have the highest perches they can find. Good luck with the New little babies (or eggs).

 

[Silver Bantam]

yeah The leghorns lay really well, but are pretty flighty, at least the strain i have is. They are really common...the brown ones are really pretty They have a really curious personality and love to have the highest perches they can find. Good luck with the New little babies (or eggs).  

Yes I have heard that before. We have a pulley who I think may be part Leghorn. She is pretty flighty. Thank you for your help!

 

[Michael OShay]

Between the two breeds that you mentioned, RIRs are the better layers, although I like the personalities of the Barred Rocks better (not aggressive as often as RIRs). The very best layers under ideal conditions (warm temperatures and good lighting) are White Leghorns. One White Leghorn holds the egg laying record (set in 1979) of 371 eggs in 365 days. But as has been pointed out by other BYC members, Leghorns are high strung and flighty (mine always cried bloody murder when I handled them). Where winters are long, dark, and cold, Sex Links will outlay White Leghorns. My Black Sex Links (Black Stars) outlayed my Red Sex Links by a slight margin in cold, dark, winter weather, but both Black and Red Sex Links are brown egg laying machines. If you want a standard breed (Sex Links are hybrids and will not breed true), the best brown egg laying breed is the Black Australorp. Until it was broken by the White Leghorn is 1979, a Black Australorp held the world laying record with 364 eggs in 365 days. I've never gotten that kind of egg production out of my Australorps, but they have been excellent layers with (usually) a longer laying life than my Sex Links. Hope this helps.

 

[Silver Bantam]

Between the two breeds that you mentioned, RIRs are the better layers, although I like the personalities of the Barred Rocks better (not aggressive as often as RIRs). The very best layers under ideal conditions (warm temperatures and good lighting) are White Leghorns. One White Leghorn holds the egg laying record (set in 1979) of 371 eggs in 365 days. But as has been pointed out by other BYC members, Leghorns are high strung and flighty (mine always cried bloody murder when I handled them). Where winters are long, dark, and cold, Sex Links will outlay White Leghorns. My Black Sex Links (Black Stars) outlayed my Red Sex Links by a slight margin in cold, dark, winter weather, but both Black and Red Sex Links are brown egg laying machines. If you want a standard breed (Sex Links are hybrids and will not breed true), the best brown egg laying breed is the Black Australorp. Until it was broken by the White Leghorn is 1979, a Black Australorp held the world laying record with 364 eggs in 365 days. I've never gotten that kind of egg production out of my Australorps, but they have been excellent layers with (usually) a longer laying life than my Sex Links. Hope this helps.

Hmm, I'll have to look into the Austalorps a bit more. Thanks

 

[CityFarmer202]

the australorps are really friendly and lay nice big brown eggs

 

[Silver Bantam]

the australorps are really friendly and lay nice big brown eggs

I'm going to look into it a bit more in terms of buying hatching eggs around our aria I think. When we picked up my sisters quail cockerel the other day, the lady who sold him to her said something about 'Holland Blues'? Does anyone have any experience with them? She was talking about how pretty they where and what good layers they where and everything... But I honestly have no idea X3

 

[Michael OShay]

I don't know a lot about Holland Blues (they're very uncommon in this country) other than they are similar to Barred Rocks. If you want to do a quick check on the laying abilities of any breeds, My Pet Chicken has a good chart. Just click on this link http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/breed-list.aspx