Breed recommendation, please

[cposz]

I need a hen that will lay some white eggs (the bigger, the better!) and which are heavy enough to do well in a MN winter. I don't want leghorns, but I am wondering if any one has suggestions. (we currently have 2 RSL and 2 BO)

 

[Gonzo]

Ok all mine lay brown eggs, but I did find this neat chart that tells egg color, productivity, and temperament of chickens! Hope this helps!

www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

 

[wombat]

Hamburgs might be your best bet if you've got to have white eggs. A lot of the white egg layers are mediterranean breeds.

 

[Gonzo]

wow! I went through that chart, and it seems like if they lay white eggs they're either small, or the ones that lay large eggs either are aggresive, or avoids human contact, etc.... It makes me wonder why the majoriety of the store bought eggs are white! I'd like to have a few white egg layers too, might be a little hard to find a good match for my flock and children though.

 

[cposz]

What a helpful chart - I've just looked through it fairly thoroughly and see my options are actually sort of limited. The Hamburgh might be the best option, though it tolerates close confinement less well than the ones I have. And at night, they're fairly close ...

Suppose the other option would be to keep buying white eggs at the co-op ...

 

[TipsyDog]

I wouldn't recommend the Hamburgs. I have some and at 23 weeks they still haven't laid. Very loud, skittish and annoying. I would imagine the eggs will be very small too.

I know you aren't interested in leghorns, but I highly recommend them. Mine lay a decent size egg every day! I'm am very happy with them. Get the Light Brown Leghorn, I find they are also nice looking birds. Sorry, it's the only white layer I can recommend.

 

[cposz]

I think the majority are white because they come from Leghorns - the official "egg-laying machines."

 

[cposz]

TipsyDog - I know some who have had trouble with agressiveness iwth their white leghorns, especially in mixed company (with other breeds). Have you experienced this? Our flock is very small, but VERY peaceful. Just 4 busy, friendly, quiet girls ...

 

[gritsar]

What about a cream color/light brown egg from a turken? Everyone I've talked to that has turkens loves them, after you get past the neck thing.

 

[AccentOnHakes]

Quote:
With our first flock of 3, we had two GLWs and a Leghorn. Seemed to be at the bottom of the pecking order...poor thing. Not too loud, but maybe just her? Trying my luck with a bantam one this spring.