Officially-Who are the best layers?

[Slywoody]

Leghorns were bred for production egg-laying. They are not a heavy. They don't make good mommys. They are light weight speed layers, They weren't bred to free range or have treats. They very seldom brood. They were bred to eat,drink and lay eggs in close quarters and will do so very nicely,i might add.

 

[Davaroo]

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And for the reasons mentioned, they are not widely recommended to the hobbyist. Especially the chicken newcomer.

We might also add that under the usual conditions people subject their chickens to, Mediterranean breeds like Leghorns are not the best subjects. Nervous and flighty, they are not usually very well suited to the confined backyard environment of screaming kids, roaring lawnmowers and yapping dogs.

Some people make do nicely with them, but I suggest they aren't for everyone.

 

[CTChickenMom]

I don't think Hy-Line's are a breed but a mix. So far, everything I've found out about them shows that they were developed by Hy-Line International as a commercial layer. Even feathersite.com doesn't have them listed as a breed and they have pretty much everything. I haven't seen a place in the US to get them. They do come in different colors, white, brown, silver brown, and grey.

Here is a place in Indiana that has them.

This is a list of HY-Line breeders by state.

They are definitely commercial breeders.

 

[Cara]

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Yes, that is what I was trying to get at. I have no idea how large Superman's run is, but the coop is too small even just for roosting.

Cramped birds = sick birds. Disease will spread more quickly, and picking will frequently occur.

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Battery hens produce well, are they happy?

 

[Mahonri]

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ISA Browns... another type of Red Sex Link
Red Stars
Cinnamon Queens...

There are others.

 

[lovemychickies]

My aracaunas and black sex-links are the best egg layers I've ever had. I've heard that Aracaunas like to hide their eggs, but I've never had any problems. Also, both of these breeds are very intelligent, which I really like!

 

[lovemychickies]

PS... That's a VERY small coop for 100 chickens. Why not add an addition?!?! Please?!?!

 

[Slywoody]

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If you follow the thread from the top, you'll see that i mentioned, it was years ago that i had the leghorns in the 8x12 coop, like the late 70's. BTW, I never had a sick chicken. I still have the coop,although it is now being used for storage, ( lumber for more coops). I'm not trying to promote coops with too many chickens. The question was; who are the best layers and i still say leghorns. Someone mentioned that leghorns are probably not for the hobbyist, i agree. As for now all i have are 10 Buff Orpington outlaw chicks that are 11 or 12 days old. All in all, i'm a tell it like it is kinda guy,no offense mean't and i hope none taken. I've had, or been around chickens all of my life (I'm 60yrs old) so i do have a little knowledge about chickens. Not tooting my horn, just giving you the facts,,, Peace, Brothers and Sisters,,,,,, Woody

 

[Davaroo]

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I'm not trying to promote coops with too many chickens. The question was; who are the best layers and i still say leghorns. Someone mentioned that leghorns are probably not for the hobbyist, i agree. All in all, i'm a tell it like it is kinda guy,no offense mean't and i hope none taken. I've had, or been around chickens all of my life (I'm 60yrs old) so I do have a little knowledge about chickens.

You seem to have gotten wiser over the years.

One does have to take great pains here at BYC to be very clear about precise meaning. A good many people at BYC take things very literally, being new. Upon hearing you had 100 chickens in an 8 x 12 coop, they may take that as something they should do. Others tend to analyze most comments pretty rigorously and don't read between the lines well.

Your point is clear now. Thanks for the added comments.

 

[conroy]

My australorps are great layers... layed through the winter as well.