And it ain't buff orpingtons! Mine have been absolutely dreadful. I have decided to go back to black sex links. I have two questions: 1) For New Englanders or people with real winters, what breed is your best layer (without artificial light/heat lamps)? 2) Are Red Stars as good as Black stars?
My chickens are the same. Try ducks!! My two Indian Runners laid an egg every day all winter! Some people don't like the taste of duck eggs, but I don't think they are that different. I read that if you feed them chicken food, their eggs taste more like chicken eggs. Mine do! May be an old wives' tale.
forgot to mention . . . Live in Oregon. No REAL winters. Maybe that's why the ducks are laying . . . but the chickens STILL aren't
I live in Alaska. My best layers are my Light Brahams. They never miss a day, they are bred for winter with small pea combs and very thick feathers. They are a dual bird so they are large as well. They do, however take a good 24 to 28 weeks to lay their first egg, as they use all their energy to build their large bodies. Once that is done then they start laying without fail. At least mine do. Sorry your Buffs are not doing their job and producing for you. I have two and they are also constant layers. I have 13 layers and I get a dozen eggs every morning if not the entire 13. PS It doesn't matter what kind of chicken you have, you must provide them with 12 hours of light. It does not need to be bright lights, but a 40 watt little bulb will even get the job done. Good luck.
Another Alaskan here. We have 2 Wyandottes and 1 Barred Rock. 3 eggs a day almost every day all winter.
I'm in Ct and my best layer are the cross's from AGWAY. Lay all winter long. They are a cross between a Rhode Island Red and a White Rock. I'm getting more in spring for next winter. I love them
I have several kinds of chicks but the Barred Rock is a pretty hardy bird. I get an egg everyday from her and it is winter and very cold here. Hope that helps!!!
My Light Brahma Bantams haven't missed a day. They are good size bantams and lay a med/large egg, so they don't eat as much as LF and their eggs are average size. The perfect combination, and they are very social birds. I also have mixed breeds and they all lay daily except for my little lavender Silkie mix, but she checks on every egg that is layed. Too busy worrying about everyone else to do her own job I guess
