Officially-Who are the best layers?

[desertgirl]

I'm sure this has been done before, but I couldn't find it....

In your very esteemed opinions-which breed are the best layers?

 

[I'vegotchickenfever]

Our one year old RIR and BSL give us about 6-7 a day out of 8 hens. We were given 2 dominecker hens that give us 1 every other day or so between the two of them (of course we don't know how old they are).

I'd like to hear the input also, I've got ameraucanas in the bator - and I don't know a thing about them. Good egg layers? Small/Large eggs? I was given the gift of 28 eggs and they were in the bator w/in 24 hours.

 

[Mahonri]

I've only heard of a few hatcheries that carry them...

They are Hy-Line Silver Browns.

Prolific Producer, Medium sized eggs, Rich Brown Eggs, Heavier mature body weight

Hy-Line Silver Brown is the world's most prolific egg layer. She produces over 330 rich brown eggs to 74 weeks, peaks in the high-90's and begins lay early with medium egg size. These traits combined with a heavier mature layer weight, excellent livability and a robust adaptable temperament; give the Hy-Line Silver Brown the perfect balance, in both alternative production systems and intensive production systems.

Hy-Line

I have a Cinnamon Queen (red sex link) that gives me 5 to 6 eggs every week.

My black star hen gives me 5 a week as well as a RIR and a Barred Rock. All good layers.

I had a pearl white leghorn that did pretty good, but she's slacking off lately... only getting 3 to 4 per week from her now. (but they are JUMBO and she is my tiniest hen)

 

[miron28]

i have to say that my RIR reds are the best they lay the biggest brown eggs. and they lay everyday i have buff orpintings and dominecker and they are not constent layers

 

[Davaroo]

In my esteem, the hands down best, breed layer are Austrolorps.

Mediterraneans like Leghorn lay as well, or even a bit better, but can be hard to live with. The A-lorp is a dream.

At one time the Austrolorp was the best layer in the world. It's even had postage stamps issued in it's honor.

But today there are also the many hybrids, lumped under the term "sex-links." Hatchery brochures are full of lurid descriptions of their laying ability. Take them as advertising hype.

From this you will see there is no one best layer. Too many variables exist to say for sure one is absolutely better than another. Aim instead, for proven laying and 200 eggs per year, or more. That is considered excellent for any but the most highly bred specialty bird.

 

[Slywoody]

i had a 100 leghorns one time years ago. I got 90 to a 100 a day. Had them in an 8 x 12 coop (no run) .

 

[RRT114]

Quote:
Well that sounds ethical!

 

[moosenbudda]

Quote:
Well that sounds ethical!

To each there own but thats still more room than a production hen gets !

 

[Davaroo]

Keep in mind that egg laying is seasonal, and there are molts and other "non-laying" times. No chicken lays all year round, all the time like clockwork.
Thats why egg laying is normally reckoned on a per annum basis.

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Be wary of the "egg a day" standard. We want it to be so, but chickens have a mind of there own... not to mention a physiology that precludes it. That standard is unsustainable, long term.

 

[desertgirl]

Good point.