Best egg layer?!?

[Aunt Angus]

I got Leghorns for that reason.

And I like their big, floppy combs!

 

[Lauravonsmurf]

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.

Good to know on the corn issue. I suspect the corn the colonists and native population grew was way more nutritious then many modern varieties as well… just call it a hunch based on how nutrition of every vegetable and fruit has consistently gone down over the years... per government research.

 

[3DFowlFarm]

We vote LEGHORNS, and since we love eggs (hence our name 3D) added 3 Khaki Campbell ducks who lay every day without fail! Duck eggs are awesome to eat and bake with.

 

[Sara S]

Delewares are really good layers, I’ve gotten an egg every day form my 2 (now one) delewares, even during cold temps. Good luck on your hunt!

 

[adstowe]

I like having a variety of colors in my eggs. I will say that my white leghorn is probably my most consistent layer, but I couldn't imagine only having leghorns. My eggs would look so boring

 

[dogpatchchickens]

I started keeping chickens 5 years ago, a friend talked my into getting Sex Links. They are friendly, calm, great layers. The first two years I got an egg a day summer and winter. I free range them part time, when I am able to be outside and watch them, otherwise I put them in a chicken tractor during the day so they can still get grass and bugs. BUT they have had health issues. I started with 4, second year another friend gave me three more, all 7 have died by age 3 or 4. It's not natural to expect a chicken to lay an egg a day 365 days a year, but that is what they are cross bred to do.
If you just want eggs and aren't looking for "pets with benefits" then sex links are the way to go. If your chickens are your "girls" then I would suggest another breed. I live in town, my limit is 8 girls/no roosters. I currently have Barred Rocks, Rhode Is Red mix, and 2 Turkens. Hopefully they will have a longer life. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[dogpatchchickens]

I like the way you think!!! Mine are not just chickens, they are PET chickens, there is a big difference . When they can no longer lay, I figure they can still keep bugs out of my yard.

 

[Poodlemum]

My most reliable have been the Jersey Giants so far. My Wyandottes are just starting to lay in the past month and are definitely small eggs, not frequently laid. The Jerseys lay every day and maybe miss a day every two weeks or so (there were two with different colour eggs, so we were very sure lol). Good size right off. The Sapphire Gems laid a bit earlier I think, but still not sure on reliability yet. Still waiting on EE, they’re pinking up nicely right now. I have a bunch of other breeds that I just got last month, so we’ll see

 

[Poodlemum]

I will say we didn’t buy based on egg production. They’re pets and I like flashy birds… Now I’m interested in different egg colours and feed prices are getting a bit out of control, so I am looking at making hard cuts if production is low. If they can lay enough to buy feed, I’ll let them stay

 

[Lauravonsmurf]

I will say we didn’t buy based on egg production. They’re pets and I like flashy birds… Now I’m interested in different egg colours and feed prices are getting a bit out of control, so I am looking at making hard cuts if production is low. If they can lay enough to buy feed, I’ll let them stay

Yeah feed cost is a thing for sure.

If they prefer Leghorns though as a rule those lay pretty good, and there is a good selection of lines and breed colour types too… if you look around you can find the Standard (large) versions… not my pictures… but here are some ideas besides whites not that whites aren’t beautiful too.