How many eggs does Orpington or Australorp lay a week?

[wordgirl]

I'm trying to figure out what to put on my chick order this year. I've had Orps and 'Lorps before, but I had a mixed flock and I mostly couldn't tell which eggs came from which bird.

If you could help me out with their laying tendencies, that'd be great!

Thank you so much!

 

[homeinspectorman]

I have two of each. By far the “lopes” are the best producers. One of the “Orps” has quit laying, and both are very flighty.

 

[wordgirl]

Quote:
That's interesting - (if I'm remembering right, which I may not be) my Orpingtons were less shy than my Australorps. Neither breed was extremely flighty, but the Australorps weren't as bold in coming up for treats.

Thanks for telling me that your Australorps are better layers. I was suspecting that they might be, at least by a little.

 

[buckaroo's wife]

I have one BO and she's pretty consistent at 5 eggs/week...and she is incredibly friendly. I've always heard that BO are friendly birds and good layers....but I'm also finding out that individual birds of any breed can buck the system/standards! LOL

 

[Davaroo]

There is no single answer for this - there are far too many variables. And I can guarantee you are going to get just as many different answers.

The standard has always been 180 eggs per year as the rule of thumb. Remember there are seasonal breaks in laying, stress and other things that will slow or even stop any hen. You can get less, for sure.
In reality, the whole "egg a day" thing is unreachable over a sustained period. Every other day is typically best case over the long haul - and even that fades after about 18 months. In really good cases you will see 200/year but it isn't best to count on it out of the gate.
Should you choose to go by my figures, 180/52 = 3.46 eggs per week for any one hen, as an average. Call it four if you are inclined to be optimistic.

On a side note, Australorps are the only breed that has ever made the "egg a day" mark over an entire year. But, even that was a special hen, under a special breeding program. Her name was "Hen #21" and she was part of an international competition back in the early 20th Century, which the Aussies won. Such competitions were commonplace in those times, and the folks Down Under were so proud of their breed that they commisioned a postage stamp in it's honor!

Down to this day, Australorps are renowned as en egger breed. They are the ones I would go with, and I've had both 'Lorps and BO's.

 

[wonderpup]

We've got both, 2 orps and three lorps. They aren't old enough to lay yet but for what it's worth so far the orps are by far friendlier than the lorps, though they didn't start out that way. Now though they are happy to ride around on your shoulder like a parrot and my husband is happy to let them for the time being. I'm sure as they get a little closer to their adult size he won't be as willing. I love Jeepers and Peepers

awesome birds. Just hoping they are both in fact pullets and will be good layers

 

[speckledhen]

David is right, too many variables in that question. I have one Buff Orpington who is over 5 years old and she still lays 3 eggs a week when not molting. Never had any Australorps. The Blue Orps lay about 4 eggs each week at over 3 years old, but they took a very long break this winter.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Cyn succinctly points out what I'm saying. She has select birds that do well - 3 eggs a week. And by their notoriety, they imply there are others that do not do so well.
And she allows there are others that take long breaks. Left to their own devices egg laying is seasonal for chickens.

This says nothing, either, of interruptions caused by the weather, the neighbors dog, or that annoying lawnmower next door, etc.

180 eggs per year is good. Listen to 'ol Davaroo....

 

[wordgirl]

Thanks, everyone! I understand that there are lots of variables - I was just wondering if people had found that either their Orpingtons or their Australorps tended to lay better than the other.

And definitely - there can be individual birds who are very uncharacteristic of their own breed 'tendencies.' But generally, I was wondering if there was a significant tilt toward either breed.

Yes, wonderpup, I kind of experienced the same thing - though my Orpingtons weren't overly friendly, they did seem friendlier and bolder than my Australorps. I'm leaning toward getting them (or more of them than the Aussies) over the Australorps.

 

[kandooshe]

BOs are a great layers, i have 7 of them and i get 5-7 eggs a day