Brown Leghorns

[The Chickinn]

I am wanting to start breeding Brown Leghorns and have the chickens but I have a couple questions.
1. how many roosters do I need for 7-8 hens?
and
2. how many chickens should I keep to have 10-20 eggs a week?

 

[moduckman]

First, there are dark brown leghorns and light brown leghorns (nicest looking, in my opinion). I'd get a couple of roosters (in case one dies). Many leghorns lay 200-220 eggs a year. anywhere between one dozen to two dozen hens will get you close to the number you want. When the hens' legs, comb and beak turn a pale white, they are nearing the end to their laying cycle. Get some younger hens, or hatch some yourself if you still have the roosters, to keep the flock fresh.

 

[the1much]

if your doing this for breeding,, you will want 1 roo in with the girls,, but you will want 2 roo's,,like said,, in case 1 gets sick, or dies,, but also, you'll want to switch them out every few months,, a roo will pick a favorite hen, and after a while, that hen will get most of his attention, leaving alot of infertile eggs.

 

[The Chickinn]

bump

 

[The Chickinn]

bump

 

[The Chickinn]

bumpety bump bump

 

[NYREDS]

Always keep 2 males. If you do they'll both be fine. If you keep only 1 he'll die. Always happens.

 

[sandypaws]

i would keep 4 hens and one rooster in 2 seperate cages.. if it is a "breeding program" you want a be able to see which rooster makes prettier babies and such,, ect...

 

[The Chickinn]

bump

 

[patandchickens]

Er, 10-20 eggs a week, during a hen's peak laying year(s), doesn't require many chickens. I mean, 21 eggs a week is just 3 eggs per day, which would be *almost* provided by 3 birds and safely by 4.

10-20 eggs a *day* would require a dozen or two hens, certainly

Pat