Best laying hens?

[pringle]

For the small flock I think black austrolorps are the way to go!

1.Hold record for most layed eggs in a year,though you should not expect to come close to that they still lay a large number of eggs.

2.They are not loud and noisy like leghorns but calm and once tamed are as nice as your own dog.

3.Excellent foragers,beautiful iridescent plumage,smart,and tolerates all kinds of weather.

I cant say exactly how many eggs mine have layed but have been strong throughout our cold winter and also lay plenty during the hot summer months.

 

[WallTenters]

Our Dominiques rocked the socks off every other bird my business partner has this winter. That includes Australorps, Orpingtons, Americaunas, Buttercups, some EEs, and some Marans (which are the worst). They are much more consistent than my mom's RIRs too, and I still go through less food than she does - and have more birds

Their eggs are medium-large (though one pullet has huge eggs). Bob Berry's pullets have been laying really well, you can look up Bob's Biddies, very nice guy and has some decent birds. Very dark and have coarse combs but the egg laying has been good for us, and they have nice calm personalities too.

 

[jmc]

so you see, sylver.

there is no one answer. but as fred said, the safest bet, far and away, are the egg laying hybrids. without the slightest doubt--unless you aren't really concerned about efficiency moneywise..................

 

[Fred's Hens]

One need not guess, nor rely on non-scientific testimonial evidence.

State agriculture universities, especially those who grant advanced degrees in poultry science, study these chickens intensively, as do the world wide genetics breeding companies for the commercial laying farmers and the industry. The only chicken strains that will consistently lay over 260 eggs a year (5+ a week) are the commercial hybrids. End of story. There are as many as 10-12 popular brown egg hybrids and an equal number of white type hybrids which can lay as many as 6.5 eggs per week, or 335 eggs per year. Equally important to laying is survivability out two years. Low mortality, in other words. Finally, feed conversion.

Feed conversion to egg production ratios are measured scientifically down the gram. A 1670 gram hen produces X number of eggs, at X weeks of production, consuming X grams of feed, etc. These statistics are all scientifically compiled and openly published.

However, it needs to be said, that such commercial strains oft times cannot meet all the emotional needs of all backyard chicken owner, where criteria, other than egg laying, comes into play. Many pet oriented BYC owners keep chickens that lay "well enough" or little to nothing and they do not mind. Color, feather design, size, brooding ability are all things, like beauty, in the eye of the beholder.

 

[ginasmarans]

In order to ensure eggs year round, the best bet is to get several breeds. It's hard to beat red and black sex links during peak laying times,but normally, they all need a little break. I had barred rocks and Rhode Island reds that di well during Fall and Winter. Rhode Island Reds are really good year long layers.

 

[tandersphoenix]

I have finally landed on the Rhode Island Red as my best year round layer. I have had up to 200 White Leghorns and they were by far the best layer but my customers want brown eggs. The problem I had with the commercial red sex links is that they have bred out the natural instincts of nests laying and also tolerance to temperature and light changes through the seasons. I had as many as 700 of them at one time and they were not good for the "pastured" environment I had them in. They also layed eggs wherever they were when they needed to lay it. I tried 80 Rhode Island Reds and they out performed the sex links in my conditions. If I had a barn that was temperature controlled and I could run lights on them I could have probably done OK with the sex links. I am currently back up to about 150 Rhode Island Reds and for now continue to grow with them for my layers. This is what I have found and works for me.

 

[ginasmarans]

Wow, that is great. I wish I had a steady customer base. My first chickens as an adult were RIR and I loved them. I'm currently into marans,the cuckoo variety.

 

[deerman]

Fred's Hens :

The best laying hens are the commercial hens strains. The commercial operators livelihood depends on top laying chickens and the industry supports them by selective breeding the very best layers, along with the lowest feed appetites.

Thus, the commercial Leghorn varieties for white eggs, and the various red/brown/gold/black sex links produced by the same commercial breeding programs. These hens will lay well over 320 eggs a year. Yes, in winter or summer, otherwise, the grocery stores and food service industry would not be supplied consistently.

All the major hatcheries will gladly sell you chicks in small amounts. They also sell them by the thousands and thousands to the egg farmers.

Nothing can come close to these selective, commercial strains.

As for traditional hens, Barred Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, Australorps and others lay "well", but that means 200-250 eggs a year.

Yes these are the best layers, but OP ask which breed best incold winter and hot summer.......these wouldn't work , lot of the sexlink pullet/hen would out produce these super layer under these conditions.

Those super layer are house ,with control temp.​

 

[Fred's Hens]

Quote:
There are at least 8 distinct varieties of "red sex links" sold, so you're experience wouldn't likely match everyone's experience. My only experience has been that the ISA Browns and Meyers red sex link lay in nests wonderfully, forage well, and are extremely cold hardy. Your RIR are no doubt more a production strain, not a show strain since they are laying well for you. I'm very glad you found the strain that meets your needs. Best wishes on your endeavors.

 

[tandersphoenix]

Yes my RIR's are just the production type, they would not do well for showing. I have had the ISA Browns and I did like them.