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.

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[saysfaa]

Leghorns of any color other than white will lay at a moderate rate, rarely go broody, and be very well suited for your climate. They are somewhat more feed efficient than meatier breeds, too.

Brown is the most commonly available color, but they come in a lot of other colors too.

I have two. One is always the first to check out anything new, the one to recheck everything if there is nothing new, always working at finding new things. The other is nearly as calm as the Australorps.

 

[Tookie]

My hatchery Brahmas laid eggs until pretty old. My Light Brahma died at 5 1/2 and was laying that month she died. The Buff Brahma lived to be almost 10 years old and laid until probably 7-8 years old. I have big breeder quality Partridge and Blue Partridge Brahmas who are 5 1/2 years old now and they have slowed way down in their production; two or three of the six hens were laying about a month ago, then everyone began molting.

Do you sell and ship your Brahmas? I want to get the best chicks I can find for the breeds I want. I will be getting Dominiques and EEs, but I'm still not sure what other breed I want.

 

[cherrynberry]

I am in San Marcos, does anybody know a good breeder near here? I am going to get Dominiques, Easter Eggers, and Blue Andalusians.

You don't need a private breeder to get EEs. They are everywhere.

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.

The white birds are my OEs. Muffin (first and third picture) lays blue. And the Wesummers lay dark brown. Definitely a reason to get them! My GLWs lay the cream eggs in the photo. For whatever path you decide on, I wish you the best of luck!

 

[Cookies-Chickens2004]

I have a completely mixed flock of seven - Easter Egger, Barred Rock, Columbian Wyandotte, Lavender Orpington, Buff Brahma, Black Copper Marans, Dark Brahma (Rooster)
I must say there's no confusion regarding eggs, behavior, or potential illness with my chickens. They get along just fine. In fact, I introduced four young pullets into coop with three hens right before snow started to fly in December with no incidents. My pullets aren't laying yet, and I don't expect until spring. (I consider myself lucky though - I've read stories of others having difficulties.)