Pre-Chicken Chat

[theoldchick]

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC! I can't recommend any high production breeds. For the reason that @DobieLover stated, I dont keep them.
I have several one and two year old that lay 5 eggs a week, but most are mixed breeds. Many of my hens are three to four years old and still lay 3 eggs a week. I prefer a steady layer, to a hen that lays daily, and burns out early in life.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Hi! I'm not too new, but I've been there!

Now I'd like to pick your brains about your favorite breeds for lots of eggs, color isn't #1 for me, but pretty shells are very pleasant.

Leghorns lay a lot! I don't have any, but they are also (I've heard) flighty.

Easter Eggers are usually fairly good layers, and lay pretty eggs. (not an actual breed, a special sort of mix)

I love welsummers, they lay medium/dark brown eggs

Good quality Marans lay chocolate eggs.

Rhode Island Reds lay well, medium to light brown eggs. However, mine recently died of a reproductive problem.

Wyandottes are stunning, and lay well, too.

My sapphire gem (which is not an actual breed, a hatchery mix) lays many eggs!

Australorps lay very well, too!

Silkies, in my opinion lay AMAZING, like every day. The main problem is that they go broody, and their eggs are bantam size.

Can you share what part of the country you live in and what's your favorite breed of chicken and why ?

I live in Western Washington, my favorite breed are Silkies, because of their sweet personality and feathers.

However, I'd say Australorps, Wyandottes, and Sapphire Gems are all strong, sweet layers.

I love helping, so let me know if you have any questions!

Here are some helpful links for further reading:

Chickens 101

Tips to be prepared

Costs of raising chickens

What to look for when buying chickens

Top 10 egg laying breeds

Chicken Q&A

Chicken first aid kit

Run clutter and Coop Extras


If you want to look at more handy articles, check out this section!
Learning Center

 

[GrammaR]

Welcome to BYC! I can't recommend any high production breeds. For the reason that @DobieLover stated, I dont keep them.
I have several one and two year old that lay 5 eggs a week, but most are mixed breeds. Many of my hens are three to four years old and still lay 3 eggs a week. I prefer a steady layer, to a hen that lays daily, and burns out early in life.

What kinds are yours then?

 

[sourland]

Hello, Robyn, and welcome to the BYC community.

 

[Grammy60]

Hello Robyn and welcome to BYC So happy you have joined us.

 

[Happy hen lover]

Hello Robyn I got my hens 1 1/2 years ago. I love in Great Plains
I have 2 very productive ISA browns hens lay every day, but won't do that again. They have reproductive issues.
My favorite hens are Rhode Island Reds lay almost like the ISAs very hardy they sold out of them at local farm store.
My black Australorp is my sweetest, heavy breed, lays okay. She is bigger, and kind of broody, which might come in handy for hatching.
I would love an Easter egger for colored eggs. Good luck to you . They are great pets, goofballs, entertainment .
For friendly hens start with them early . Good luck Grammy
Helen

 

[janiedoe]

What kinds are yours then?

I have mostly easter eggers and olive eggers. I'm partial to cream legbars, welsummers, orpingtons, and brahmas. I love langshans, but they are very broody and don't lay too often, because of that. Naked necks are excellent layers, very friendly, and hardy. I'm not sure if they're appropriate for a cold climate.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, Robyn and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[gtaus]

When I got my chicks 3 years ago, I wanted 10 different breeds that laid different colored eggs. I had everything from green eggs, brown, tan, dark chocolate, speckled, and white. I really enjoyed having all the different breeds and a variety of egg colors. However, Dear Wife only wants brown eggs and, by far, my best brown egg layer is my ISA Brown - a sex-linked production egg layer. The ISA Brown is also my most people friendly bird. Anyway, I'll be ordering some new chicks soon and it looks like I'll just be getting ISA Brown chicks this time.

I will admit, the ISA Brown is probably my least "attractive" hen in the flock, but she has the best personality and is my best egg layer. Close behind her is my California White that lays mainly jumbo sized white eggs.

I order my chicks from our local Co-Op, and they give out free brochures from the hatchery that have pictures of the birds, how many eggs they lay per year, how cold hardy they are rated, etc... If you want to have a mixed flock, that is a great resource to consult.

I started out with 10 hens, and at the 3 year point, I still have 7 left. I lost 3 last fall due to some mysterious sickness. I mainly bought dual purpose breeds thinking that I would butcher them at some point, but, like I said, my 3 birds died from some mysterious sickness so I was not going to eat them after they died.

I raised meat chickens years ago, but I enjoy my egg laying hens so much more. We get lots of fresh eggs, I have the hens long enough to know their different personalities, and I put them to work making chicken run compost for my gardens. What's not to love?