Good winter layers

[Stamper]

Are there any breed that are great winter layers I should know about? I'm about to order my first chickens (only had ducks in the past) and I would like to get a variety of breeds to have eggs as much of the year as possible.

I like smarter birds, if that factors in at all, not just "egg machines."

What would be a good assortment of chickens for eggs all year?

 

[TechEdFireman]

I have a mixed bag as you can see from my signature. They laid a dozen a day all winter long, I had a 2' fluorescent light on 24/7 so that helped b/c before that I was only getting 5-6 eggs again. They have slowed down with the weather change and molting. But last summer they were putting out 15-16 everyday.

 

[new2chix]

My black sex link hen has laid almost every day, large eggs, since she started to lay at 19 weeks. She is sweet and non - aggressive, and comes running when I pull in the driveway or call to the chickens. When she was younger she would fly up to my shoulder and stay there as I did my chicken chores. If I could only have one chicken, that would be it for me.

 

[lkm24]

My chanteclers laid beautifully through the winter. Though right now for some reason they're slacking. (Was just about to post a query about that.) But for much of the winter (their first year) we were getting an average of 9 eggs from 12 chickens daily. We're on a mountain in upstate NY and temps get down to minus-20 something with powerful winds.

They take a longer time than average to get to maturity. And they're broody, at least ours are - which is one of the reasons for our lowered productivity now. They love to forage.

 

[joy]

My black rocks are great layers.

 

[CovenantCreek]

When they were younger my RSLs laid every day regardless of season. My Delawares were a little slow getting up to speed but by November last year I was getting solid numbers form them -- whether they were in the coop with added light in the morning or not.

 

[Stamper]

Thanks everyone! That gives me a start!

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

My sex links laid ALL winter almost every day. When the others slowed down a lot. I did keep a heat lamp on in their coop 24/7 though too.

 

[Stamper]

What are the winters like where you all have your chickens?

It's pretty much 50 or 60 degrees all year round here but the day length does vary quite a lot.

Do temp and daylight both affect laying? I always thought it was more the day length but perhaps I'm wrong...

 

[CovenantCreek]

Quote:
that doesn't really count as winter....... lol you definitely shouldn't have too many problems with most breeds, just have a light come on at 5:00 or 6:00 in the morning to help 'em wake up and start the day