We will be breeding standard type birds for Type, temperament, vigor, egg production and finally color. One has to study type and cull, hopefully with some help from those who know. When it comes to temperament cull nasty birds, period. Vigor, cull those birds who do not display vigor. Period. For production, cull poor producers, however there must be a maximum safe yearly egg range? At what point if any would you omit a bird from your breeding program because it was too productive? In other words we know that max production results in health issues and a short productive life. What's the cutoff? Granted obviously it's not an absolute number, no one can give a number but experience show's there's a point where we're pushing the birds too hard. So what is an excellent egg production that is long term sustainable?
Remember that they reduce in winter because of reduced daylight hours. Some provide extra light to keep them laying during winter but I let mine rest. I usually get about half production and sometimes a little more without extra light. They stop during a molt. Some add extra protein to their feed and extra treats to keep them laying. The extra protein helps quicken the regrowth process but is not required. Lack of water can stop laying and growth. Always make sure they have access to water. Parasites can hinder egg production but proper care can keep them in check. (IE: bio-security with the flock, clean coop and water, check their health regularly, proper dust bath area, and proper ventilation.) Also, breeds can differ on how many they produce. Silkies go broody often and they don't lay when they are trying to hatch chicks. Production breeds lay too much making for a overall shorter laying life but many eggs for that time. Game birds lay much less then many other breeds.
I don't think it is necessarily that the high egg production is bad, but that those breeds are bred to have super high production in the first one, maybe two years, and that is that. The breeders don't care if they die after that. Many Heritage breeds are actively selected for longevity. Some small time breeders will not use a pullet as a breeder, and will not breed a hen until she has proven her worth. So, you only get what you select for. If you breed only those birds that lay eggs like crazy for four years but also never get egg bound or prolapsed vents or other bad stuff, then you will be able to have a breed that will have those characteristics.
