Chicken breeds that lay eggs less frequently but lay longer

[Tookie]

Hello! I am expanding my flock of chickens and will be getting chicks this spring, I want chicken breeds that lay eggs less frequently but lay for longer. I also want chicken breeds with less health issues. Thank you for any recommendations!

 

[nuthatched]

Breeder quality or heritage type stock is what I'd recommend.

 

[Tookie]

I was thinking of adding some Dominiques, Welsummers, and Easter Eggers to my flock. Does anyone have any experience with these breeds?

 

[neo71665]

Dominiques are pretty good birds. Been years since I've been around any but my grandmother had some. I hear good things about EE but I've never raised any. Personally I'm a fan of rhode island reds but some people claim they can be an aggressive breed.

 

[cherrynberry]

My Welsummers and EEs are both good birds. They definitely don't lay as often, but they seem to live quite long. I have lots of EEs and they are definitely one of my favorites. I also recommend Wyandotte's. My two 6-7 year old Wyandotte's still lay well. Haven't had much health issues with any of them, but Wyandotte's with a rose comb can have lower fertility. Oh and they can get poop stuck on their feathers during the hotter days or if they have an infection going on. Stacey (one of my Wyandottes) had a huge issue with this earlier in the year, but as long as you keep up with it, they are good birds.

 

[Tookie]

I've never had Dominiques or Welsummers, only one EE.

 

[cherrynberry]

I've never had Dominiques or Welsummrs, only one EE.

As a bonus, I am in love with Welsummer eggs. Most of my EEs lay blue, but I have a few OEs too. I will try to post photos, but I am currently not on mobile.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

I haven't had the other 2 but I do have a Welsummer, and she's a very friendly, chatty lady. Egg production is definitely low, lol, but beautiful!

 

[cherrynberry]

I haven't had the other 2 but I do have a Welsummer, and she's a very friendly, chatty lady. Egg production is definitely low, lol, but beautiful!

Oh yes, definitely chatty. They like to fly too. A lot of my Welsummers climb the trees.

 

[Tookie]

My one EE is not laying right now, hasn't laid in a while and she is about 3 years old. So I don't know if she will be laying again or not, maybe it's the cold weather.