Help deciding breed layers

[Garrison Family Farm]

Hello BYC fam,
I hope I am posting on the correct thread because I have 2 separate yet intertwining questions.

Question #1:
I was wanting some recommendations on good egg layers to add to my small flock.

I currently have 2 Rhode Island Red Hens and 1 Rhode Island Red Rooster… now that may not matter, but wanted y’all to know in case that makes any differences. They are only 3.5 months old right now but wanted to see what yall think would be good layers for me along with my 2 RIRs when they do start producing. I am planning on adding 8 more to my flock , and yes I’m a victim of “chicken math”, so let me know what yall think.

Question #2:
My second question is regarding feed. So… Ever since they were taken off of start and grow we have fed them and our broilers (which are no longer with us as of yesterday) Flock raiser by Purina. Well while researching Purina's website, that feed is apparently recommended for non laying chickens. I had no idea! Well I was about to swap from the flock raiser crumbles to flock raiser pellets but I don’t know if I should use flock raiser anymore after reading that?!

I just wanted y’all’s opinion on that one because if it is safe to feed them flock raiser and still produce the same, then I will give those few pellets while giving the other crumbles once they pass the starter feed. If not, what feed should I start using? And with the newer chicks I will get, what should I feed them after starter feed… if I need to swap the RIRs feed?

Thank you BYC family,
-The Garrison Family Farm

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Hi!
Sapphire gems are great layers and plus they are very friendly so they would be a great addition to your flock I am a big fan of the breed. Sapphire gem roosters are usually super friendly, however they are quite big so make sure you have the space for them
That was probably a good thing that you took your chickens off of that feed because since it was intended specifically for hens that aren't laying, it probably doesn't have enough calcium and protein that a laying hen would require.
Purina has a type of food called Layena specifically for laying hens. They have Layena in crumble as well as pellet form.
I personally have had troubles with feeding my chickens pellets because even though they are standard-sized breeds, they still have a hard time eating the pellets. Because of the pellets' size, the chickens have to break them apart before eating them. It does limit food waste which I like, but in my opinion the pellets are a bit too large. That's another good thing about the pellets is that is FORCES the chickens to take their time when eating instead of gulping it down.
I love feeding my chickens crumble because it's super easy for them to swallow.
I personally suggest Kalmbach feed, however the Layena feed that I mentioned earlier will be perfect if you want to stick to the brand you've been getting
Many people also love the brand DuMOR.

Hope this helps!

 

[FrostRanger]

Welcome to BYC!
Even though it says it's for nonlaying hens, I would keep them on it since you have a rooster, you'll just need to provide oyster shells on the side. I feed mine kalmbach flock raiser, but the Purina is fine too. Keeping laying hens on flock raiser won't hurt anything as long as they have oyster shells available but feeding a rooster layer feed *could* be problematic 'cause it has too much calcium for them. Rhode island reds are some of the most productive layers around, if you want to add more birds though be aware that Rhode island reds do tend towards bossiness towards other birds so especially docile breeds may not work well with them. Australorps, easter eggers and barred rocks would be good breeds to add IMO. They're good layers and easter eggers should add some color to your egg basket as well

 

[Traffie Chickens]

Hello BYC fam,
I hope I am posting on the correct thread because I have 2 separate yet intertwining questions.

Question #1:
I was wanting some recommendations on good egg layers to add to my small flock.

I currently have 2 Rhode Island Red Hens and 1 Rhode Island Red Rooster… now that may not matter, but wanted y’all to know in case that makes any differences. They are only 3.5 months old right now but wanted to see what yall think would be good layers for me along with my 2 RIRs when they do start producing. I am planning on adding 8 more to my flock , and yes I’m a victim of “chicken math”, so let me know what yall think.

For a good layer, I would recommend pearl white leghorns. Ours are about a year and 4 months old and none of them have missed a single day of laying an egg. And ours seem to be very friendly, towards us, and new birds, but I don’t know if it’s just because there was 4 kids always holding them as chicks. but we just introduced new birds into our flock and the leghorns don’t seem to be aggressive towards them. But do beware, if you are introducing new birds in with RIRs, because all of those sex-linked breeds, such as RIRs, Red stars, and cinnamon queens, seem to be pretty aggressive towards new birds. We have red stars and we have been having a lot of trouble with them being bullies.

 

[Jimmygreen]

Hello BYC fam,
I hope I am posting on the correct thread because I have 2 separate yet intertwining questions.

Question #1:
I was wanting some recommendations on good egg layers to add to my small flock.

I currently have 2 Rhode Island Red Hens and 1 Rhode Island Red Rooster… now that may not matter, but wanted y’all to know in case that makes any differences. They are only 3.5 months old right now but wanted to see what yall think would be good layers for me along with my 2 RIRs when they do start producing. I am planning on adding 8 more to my flock , and yes I’m a victim of “chicken math”, so let me know what yall think.

Question #2:
My second question is regarding feed. So… Ever since they were taken off of start and grow we have fed them and our broilers (which are no longer with us as of yesterday) Flock raiser by Purina. Well while researching Purina's website, that feed is apparently recommended for non laying chickens. I had no idea! Well I was about to swap from the flock raiser crumbles to flock raiser pellets but I don’t know if I should use flock raiser anymore after reading that?!

I just wanted y’all’s opinion on that one because if it is safe to feed them flock raiser and still produce the same, then I will give those few pellets while giving the other crumbles once they pass the starter feed. If not, what feed should I start using? And with the newer chicks I will get, what should I feed them after starter feed… if I need to swap the RIRs feed?

Thank you BYC family,
-The Garrison Family Farm

I have white leghorns they lay everyday and their eggs are big I've also crossed them with rhode island reds as well