Brown Egg Layers questions...

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

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While I did say that you can breed them, they don't breed true and the results will be varied. You may end up with prolific layers in the second generation or you may end up with duds. I don't know... It's worth a try, but in my opinion it's easier to start over and order chicks or pullets to replace your flock after two years, and sell off the old flock as stewing hens.

I know they won't breed true, but I'd like to try it with them anyway. It'd be nice to come up with a fairly consistent sustainable GREAT egg layer.

All we can do is wait and see what they turn out like.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Fred's Hens :

Many hatcheries are not forthright in information. TownLine sells bona fide ISA Browns. They don't hide the fact.
Moyers sells the Brown, Meyers sells the "Golden Buff". These are both commercial strains. I own them. I know. They are terrific layers and tend to have smaller combs, which I like, to enable cold hardiness up here.

I suspect the hatcheries sell left over commercial chicks from contracted, large, commercial hatches of tens of thousands of chicks, but aren't allowed to advertise or sell themselves as any specific strain, only as generic red sex-links or under a generic, hatchery given name like "Red Queens" or the like. So you probably get good commercial stock, of genetics unknown to you though.

It helps to know what strain you are getting though, as the companies like to highlight the specific traits of their strains and also publish general management guides on how to best raise their strain of birds.​

 

[Fred's Hens]

You can be pretty sure that 95% of the hatcheries are selling commercial sex links, rather than just "rolling their own". Since 90% of the business is likely selling 1,000 layers to this farm, or 5,000 to that farm. The numbers they ship out at 25 at a time represents a small portion, albeit profitable portion, of their business. I cannot possibly speak to all the strains offered by the 60 major hatcheries in the US. I can only point you to the few that I have used and the results.

As you can see, you are getting advice here that is reasonable and factual.

 

[Fred's Hens]

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Absolutely.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

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Yes! That is what I want... it'd be nice to know they weren't "rolling their own" and then end up disappointed!

Great info guys! THANKS!!!

Now I just need to figure out which ones are which from what hatchery so I can order the right ones! LOL

I was thinking about these; http://www.meyerhatchery.com/produc...ickens&grd_prodone_filter=PRODUCT_ID = 'GBUS'

 

[Fred's Hens]

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Yes! That is what I want... it'd be nice to know they weren't "rolling their own" and end up disappointed!

I know that TownLine sells, legally, officially, the ISA Brown. You cannot just "say" your chicks as ISAs.

That said, I like the Meyers Golden Buffs equally as well. It'd be a toss up to recommend either. They are only $2 each in a 25 box from either place. Here's to hoping the 5 months pass quickly for you. BTW, I do not buy started pullets because I do not like clipped beaks, but that's just me.

 

[Fred's Hens]

13 Meyer's Golden Buffs. Here's their daily handiwork. You guessed it. 13 eggs a day, everyday.

PS- I split a 25 box with a neighbor.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Townline's website is hard to read and navigate on my computer for some reason. Meyer's is easier for me to get the info from. So do your Golden's lay just as well? Anything I should know about them?


I don't like clipped beaks either, also, it seems like shipping would be way more to do it that way.



Thanks!

ETA: Awesome they lay so well!!! I was posting the same time you were.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Golden Buffs- A production red hen. Friendly to a fault, as they'll be underfoot. Curious, happy hens. I'd say 4 lbs tops.
ISAs are slightly more golden in color. Wonderful, friendly. Townline's website? Just click the order form, it's all you really need. They do show the photos of the parent stock, which is nice. I'd say the ISA's egg is milligrams larger.

 

[Autumnchicken]

My buff orpingtons lay an egg a day and they get 10-12 hours of light.