Best egg layer?!?

[CaliFarmsAR]

Hello!!

I’m wondering what the best egg layer breed is. We have cut our flock down a lot and the chickens we have are older, so we want to add young birds this spring!! I am looking for one that lays lots of eggs and is hardy!! Thank you for any advice!!!

 

[MGG]

Hello!!

I’m wondering what the best egg layer breed is. We have cut our flock down a lot and the chickens we have are older, so we want to add young birds this spring!! I am looking for one that lays lots of eggs and is hardy!! Thank you for any advice!!!

I'd go with at least some Leghorns and Easter Eggers.
Sexlinks lay a lot but don't live long, they usually end up dying from reproductive issues due to laying so much.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

WL, RIR, BR, and EEs are all great layers.
Sexlinks are the best of the best but run into a great many health issues and die at about 2-3 years old on average. That's unfortunately the price of the commercial egg industry - they're meant to be disposable.

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

Ok thank you all!!! I’m thinking leghorns, my dad loves them

 

[The Moonshiner]

Ok thank you all!!! I’m thinking leghorns, my dad loves them

Clearly the right choice.
You dad sounds very wise.

 

[Pierre duck drake]

Hello!!

I’m wondering what the best egg layer breed is. We have cut our flock down a lot and the chickens we have are older, so we want to add young birds this spring!! I am looking for one that lays lots of eggs and is hardy!! Thank you for any advice!!!

leghorns, Easter eggers, and barred rocks are GREAT layers!

 

[JustBabyMargo]

Australorps, Delawares, Plymouth Rocks, Easter Eggers, and Leghorns. My Wyandottes are decent layers as well, but they are kinda mean.

 

[Lauravonsmurf]

White Leghorns
California Grey and Whites
Barred Rocks
White Rocks
RIR aka Production Reds
Sex Links

EEs lay a bit less but fun coloured eggs and keep laying for years. I have not kept True Whitings yet, but they are probably good layers. So far my Crested Cream Legbar Crosses are laying great as well.

I have had Sex Links and Production line birds, they lived just as long as birds that laid less eggs from non production breeds or lines here.

I have heard the same about the sex links but it defies logic, I mean if the parent breeds/lines of sex linked birds are not feared to be short lived… such as RIW, RIR, Barred Rocks, White Rocks, Leghorns… why are their cross. The same people that often preach hybrid vigour often deride Sex Links which are colour based hybrids.

So what is the real problem? Misconceptions?

A current study for big poultry layer flocks confirms they need more than industry standard is supplying currently in standard layer feed to be healthy… more protein, more quality fat, more vitamins… so can we really expect healthy birds that are underfed, fed the bare minimum for a profit? In addition industry standard is to cull those birds pretty young. Also the industry manipulates the molt and lighting to force egg production.

I feed my birds well, give them space, let them roam my yard and feed more whole everything and next to no corn. I think a quality diet is one big difference to why my birds are usually healthy. I don’t try to artificially force molt my birds or keep them laying when sunlight decreases with the season, I figure the break is natural for them, and Mother Nature knows best.

Just my thoughts on the whole anti sex link thing, it simply makes no sense to me.

 

[DarJones]

I mean if the parent breeds/lines of sex linked birds are not feared to be short lived… such as RIW, RIR, Barred Rocks, White Rocks, Leghorns… why are their cross.

Heterosis comes with some negative effects, particularly for chickens. Excessive egg laying "wears out" chickens to the point they do not produce enough eggs to justify feed costs. Even if the parent lines do not show early failure, the hybrid can and often does. This generally does not apply to heritage breeds, but it very much does apply to commercial egg production hybrids.

Regarding feeding corn, it is deficient in Methionine and Lysine. I grow a high methionine corn specifically to feed to my chickens. I have fed pure corn to laying hens for several weeks (until I ran out of corn) with no negative effects on the chickens. The point is that virtually all commercial corn is deficient in necessary proteins, but you can grow your own corn that has what chickens need. Sandhill Preservation carries it listed as "chicken feed" corn.

 

[Lauravonsmurf]

Ok thank you all!!! I’m thinking leghorns, my dad loves them

The white lines lay the most… but there are some absolutely stunning colour lines… I mean gorgeous and worth considering. In addition some colours can be found in both Rose Comb or Single Comb if frostbite is an issue.

Happy Keeping.