I just thought I would follow up here. My three brown leghorns have turned out to be the best egg layers yet. I have accepted the fact that if I want blue eggs, I'll just have to expand the flock...Thanks to all the BYCers who set me straight on the breed.
All three started laying at about 6 months old (in November) and since then they have laid three large eggs a day, almost everyday, despite torrential rains, gray skies, and cold temps (for San Diego), and, the stress of being integrated iwith the older flock and into their coop during this time. This is compared to my five other ladies (Buff Orp, Barred Rock, and Black Sex link) who are about 8 months old and lay 2-5 eggs per day. The leghorns were initially very flighty and unfriendly, but since they started laying, they have become very friendly, and run up to greet me with the other ladies, when I enter the yard. I would not have selected BLHs at the feed store, but I am sure glad to have them now.
Here are Ruby and Farrah in Nov. They both now have huge red floppy combs.