Cold Hardy White Egg Layer (Large Eggs) Recommendation?

[UncleHoot]

From doing a little bit of online research, it looks like if you want brown eggs, there are a brazillian different breeds from which to choose cold hardy hens. For white eggs, I'm not so sure.

I would not mind having a couple White Leghorns, but are they cold hardy? If their combs get frostbite, I guess it's not the end of the world, but I wouldn't want them to freeze to death or lose limbs or anything like that. I'm basically looking for a lot of egg color variety in my flock, just for kicks, I guess.

This winter, my coop got down to 4 F. I figure it could get even colder inside if we saw outdoor temps around -20 F. I'd figure it could reach -5 F in the coop, but probably not much colder than that.

Can White Leghorns withstand those kinds of temperatures?

 

[Meesh]

When I was researching breeds, I found info that faverolles and sussex lay white eggs, are cold hardy and good winter egg layers.

Leghorns were on that list, but were not noted as being good winter egg layers (YMMV).

(reference is http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html)

Cheers,
Michelle

 

[ksacres]

There is a rose comb variety of Leghorn, I would try them. Murry McMurray has RC Brown Leghorns.

Or, you could always try EE's. I have one that lays a white egg and one that lays a blue egg. They are cold hardy. But egg color is a guessing game.

 

[ksacres]

Quote:
Sussex and Faverolles lay brown/tinted eggs.

 

[joanc]

Hi. I've got 2 white leghorns and they have been extremely dependable for egg production this winter--I get 6-7 eggs each week from each girl. I have not had a problem with frostbite, but then they (none of my flock) really liked to go outside when it's been in the single digits or less.

I also have 2 speckled sussex and they lay tinted/cream colored eggs--about 2-4 eggs each week per girl. The sussex have a smaller comb than the leghorns, so they haven't had any problems with frostbite.

I also keep the coop above freezing, that may have something to do with the egg production.

 

[AussieSharon]

What about Hamburgs or Lakenvelders

 

[SpottedCrow]

The biggest problem with the white egg layers is that they're spazzes...they don't like to be confined. They'll pick each other and just create all sorts of havoc...

 

[scgamecock]

Try ancona's for a little color.They are a black mottled leghorn type that lays a large white egg.I have one and I'm satisfied with her performance.

 

[s6bee]

Look into the Appenzeller ( sp? ) they lay med. white eggs, and it says they are cold hardy.

 

[banter]

I had Salmon Faveroles when I lived in MA, and they were very hardy. I have Brabanters now which I picked for their extra hardiness since we were moving to Maine. The roosters have little devil horns (lol) instead of combs, and a topnot to keep them from freezing. See pic at right. The hens (pullets) started laying white, medium eggs Thanksgiving day and have not quit! Even in below zero weather. The eggs have gotten larger. They are kept in an unheated barn with 1 spotlight for heat. I am very happy with them so far.