Looking for layer info

[Bullitt]

Take a close look at the Exchequer Leghorns, especially if you see a photo--- you might find those birds both showy enough and good enough egg producers.

I found this photo from a google image search: http://www.google.com/imgres?q=exch...M&imgurl=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2789/

I put a link to the Leghorns, including the Exchequer Leghorn. But I guess that breed isn't pretty enough.

 

[Nightfeather]

I don't realy like the leg horns they are to skiny

 

[ChicKat]

I put a link to the Leghorns, including the Exchequer Leghorn. But I guess that breed isn't pretty enough.

True, true.... I thought that they got over-looked, because they are so flashy and they are also rare. ;O)

 

[ChicKat]

I don't realy like the leg horns they are to skiny

One good way to narrow down your choices is to be sure of the traits that you want to eliminate. Good luck with the quest!

 

[Bullitt]

You said you wanted good laying hens that are pretty. So now you want good laying hens that are big and colorful. That probably means you want hens that lay brown eggs, because they are usually the heavy breeds.

The golden-laced and silver-laced Wyandotte are heavy chickens, and as I mentioned, they are good egg-layers. Many breeds bred for colorful feathers will not lay eggs as well.

With chickens, the roosters are usually more colorful. I like the Single Comb Light Brown Leghorn because the rooster is colorful and the hens are some of the best egg-layers.

 

[wood&feathers]

You might also wish to consider your climate. If you are in an area with severe hot summers the lighter built breeds will do better. Would Campines fit the bill? Not all "flighty" breeds are crazy. My cubalayas will sit in my lap for treats. But they also like to spazz around the yard when they get the notion. I like watching the more active birds. Campines are lovely and reputed to be smart and like their people.

 

[Bullitt]

Campines are even smaller than Leghorns, aren't they? A Leghorn rooster can get up to 6 or 7 pounds.

But Campines will lay about 3 eggs a week on average in a year.

 

[Buck bird]

Campines are even smaller than Leghorns, aren't they? A Leghorn rooster can get up to 6 or 7 pounds.

But Campines will lay about 3 eggs a week on average in a year.

Campine males share the same standard weight as the Leghorn male, 6 pounds for Cocks, 5 for cockerels. Females are half a pound smaller. I don't know where you are getting your info, but Campine are also a laying breed, and I can bet they's lay more than 3 a week. More than a standard Wyandotte for sure.

 

[Bullitt]

I found this information that states Campines lay an average of 3 eggs a week in a year.

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Campine-B25.aspx


This states that they are medium for egg-laying, which I would take to also be about 3 eggs a week on average. It also states they lay medium-sized white eggs.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/campine#description



This states they will lay a fair number of eggs. (Fair is not good and it is not great.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campine_(chicken)


I am sure the Campine is a great breed. But based on that information, I would not call them good egg-layers.

Wyandottes lay an average of 4 eggs a week on average in a year. I would call that good.

Leghorns lay an average of 6 eggs a week in a year. I call that great.

 

[NYREDS]

I didn't bother reading what My Pet Chicken said about Campines since I have some actual experience with them. Does every one realize Wikipedia isn't actually a researched on-line encyclodedia? Anyone can post an article there & there are people who have fun posting misinformation there.
I'm breeding from just 4 females this year. Since they started laying they've averaged 25 eggs per week & some weeks have laid 28 eggs. Thier eggs average 53 grams which is half way between large & extra large. This has been consistent performance for the 2 years I've had this strain & is what the person I got them from told me I could expect.
I also find that they aren't as flighty as I expected them to be. Many Campines I've handled at shows have been pretty wild but they seem to respond quickly to some handling. I tend to handle birds often, especially if they're birds I plan to show.