Opinions on best egg layers

[momgoose]

I like my Leghorns, they lay large to very large eggs and continue to produce eggs throughout the winter (without extra light) but less frequently. They lay over 300 eggs a year typically. I do live in the desert southwest so the winters are mild. In colder climates heat lamps and a couple extra light hours would help. Leghorns are the Winners as far as consistency and quantity in my book.

 

[JJSS89]

I like my Leghorns, they lay large to very large eggs and continue to produce eggs throughout the winter (without extra light) but less frequently. They lay over 300 eggs a year typically. I do live in the desert southwest so the winters are mild. In colder climates heat lamps and a couple extra light hours would help. Leghorns are the Winners as far as consistency and quantity in my book.

There is no question that Leghorns are the ultimate egg laying machine.

 

[JustHenny]

As previously mentioned I have BO, RIR, Australorp, EE, ISA Brown. Love them all. But everyone has talked so much about leghorns I had to go get four leghorn chicks!

 

[Mr King]

As previously mentioned I have BO, RIR, Australorp, EE, ISA Brown. Love them all. But everyone has talked so much about leghorns I had to go get four leghorn chicks!

If you think those are good layers year round you will get impressed with leghorns.! Good luck

 

[lauranickerson]

Yes I think you will be very pleased with your leghorns. They are probably the smallest bird to largest egg ratio. They lay bigger eggs than my dual purpose fatties! I find them very friendly. AND if you free range, they are great at it! When one of mine got locked out of the coop at night, I found her at the top of a tree about 18 feet up! Big fan here, obviously.

 

[MrsBrooke]

Thanks. Im also looking for a bird that isn't to mean either. We have a 2 1/2 year old grand daughter that I want to be able to collect eggs with us when shes here.

Based on what I've heard, a Leghorn is the best layer, but not necessarily the best for a backyard pet.

I opine once more that for an easy-going, egg-laying master, look no further than a Black Australorp.

Sure, Leghorns are king in the commercial egg industry, but white birds stick out like sore thumbs in a backyard setting and are easier for predators to pick off. In addition, they are not the "nicest" birds, I hear. Loud, skittish, and prone to flying.

Personally, I'm going with the docile bird that laid 364 eggs in 365 days. Australotps are a bird bred for egg production that yields a nice carcass and make GREAT backyard birds.

I'm sold.

MrsB

 

[JJSS89]

Australorps are indeed great birds.

 

[Steve P]

...

Ok so, What's your decision?[/quote

Leaving that up to my wife. I think she's made a decision but not for sure yet. We have time yet as I am waiting for snow to melt so I can start building.

 

[EastNashChick]

Ke

...

Ok so, What's your decision?[/quote

Leaving that up to my wife. I think she's made a decision but not for sure yet. We have time yet as I am waiting for snow to melt so I can start building.

Keep us posted!

 

[bruceha2000]

I've had plenty of Leghorns over the past 50 years, and mine have been considerably more high strung and flighty than my calmer breeds like Orpingtons, Australorps, Brahmas, Cochins, Sussex, etc. My children and I easily made lap pets of all of these breeds, but our Leghorns screamed bloody murder whenever any of us handled them (that's what I call high strung and flighty). ) It's why, despite their laying ability, I no longer have Leghorns in my flock. And I'm far from alone in this experience with Leghorns. BYC has loads of members who have had Leghorns and had the same experience with them.

Thus it depends if one wants "lap chickens"

None of mine are lap chickens which is AOK with me. You won't find chickens in diapers in MY house. The smaller BA will stand on my now 22 Y/O daughter if she lies down outside though. They all come running if I go outside because they are BEGGARS! But don't try to pick them up or pet them, they are there hoping for FOOD!

Some louder than others. The big BA is really quiet, the smaller one bugles - Echo - SHUT UP!!! but she is the BEST layer I have. The EE is quiet, the Faverolles raise a harsh racket. One Cubalaya is fairly quiet, the other's name is Peep because that is the sound she made when she was little. She could now be renamed SQUARK!!! SQUARK!!! SQUARK!!! Smallest bird and BIGGEST beggar. The Anconas are chatty if they want something, the Partridge Chantecler is fairly quiet and makes a very nice trilling sound.

You must have missed my post, because I specific mentioned Black Sex Links (Black Stars), and I believe someone else did as well. I've raised them for years (along with dozens of other breeds and hybrids), and they have been my best layers, consistently churning out more than 300 eggs per hen per year. I've been especially impressed by their persistence in laying well in really cold winter weather.

Any info on how many years they lay decently? That is what kept me from getting sex links, the impression that they burn out fairly fast. That wouldn't be a problem if we could eat them when they stop laying well but my "emotional vegetarian" daughter would not deal well with that.