Do OEG chickens make good layers?

[Pupsnpullets]

I've had some mixed breed OEG's in the past and they were continually broody. Is this normal, or are they worth keeping as layers? I can get them inexpensively (or free) from the Mexican community near here.

 

[Kev]

That is normal. Basically, OEG are more like 'wild' chickens than other chicken breeds. Fewer eggs, high broodiness, more natural instincts still intact in them etc. They can be fair layers if the eggs are continually taken however once one is in a broody mode and a couple eggs are in a nest for a day due to late collecting & several hens laying in same nest or you're away for a day or 2.. plop she goes..

 

[Teach97]

OEG are not known for their great egg productivity...they do lay just not as regular as others...those probably are not Old English Game birds you are looking at...they are game birds but not OE...they are probably more of the asian varieties...still not known for egg production...they are known for going broody...Many game bird breeders let them raise their own young and even add other types of eggs to them to hatch

 

[Jonathanq1]

They are not known to be kept as layers. They mostly lay every other day.

 

[Pupsnpullets]

Thanks. Maybe I'll just get one to use as a broody and stick to laying varieties for egg production.

 

[GardenerGal]

What Kev said.
My OEG hen lays every other day, tends to lay in clutches of eight to 11 eggs, then sets and broods. The Nankins do the same. Both types have more of the wild instincts intact, which also means that the roosters will take care of the older chicks so the hen can start a new clutch and brood.

 

[Pupsnpullets]

Quote:
Whoa... they're pretty hard core then, aren't they? Yep, I think 1 will be enough.

 

[sandypaws]

i dont get many eggs from mine.. compared to my marans and EEs or "brown egg layers"

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

They can be pretty good layers, but on average I would rate them as just average egg layers, but they are very broody.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Definitely very broody! I have one OEG hen that is still fairly young. This past fall she would lay an egg every day. Of course, she went broody, and has now started laying again. I am fairly certain she is laying every other day, but she does lay good-sized white eggs.

They like to hide their nests though, so be sure to keep watch of them! Mine had a nest of 15 eggs when I found her! I just figured she had quit for the season