Ratio

[rancher hicks]

I was looking for the laying ratiio for Welsummers and found a site that I realized was English. Then I compared it to Hendersons site and found some pretty big discrepencies. Henderson just gives you pics to denote the egg ratio the English site gives numbers.
Hence:

RIR, Eng. 180 / Hen. 6 eggs Prolific . Well I don't consider 180 per year prolific.

Aus, Eng 200/ Hen 4 eggs very good. Well compared to the English RIR I'd say 200 is better.

So how do I decided which breed has a better per annum/year record?

I realize a few eggs here and there is the norm but that drastic of a difference? There are others differences but how do I know what number to associate w/ 1,2, 3, 4, 6 eggs?

According to the Eng. the New Hampshire Red only lays 120 eggs per year. I thouhgt they were better than that.

I'm trying to keep a record of what my girls are doing and could use some pointers on how to get the most out of them.

Who has dual purpose birds and how do you compensate to have enough left on the bone to have a bird worth cooking?

 

[trilyn]

Great questions, I wouldn't mind knowing these answers myself! Anyone out there??

 

[rancher hicks]

Are there no scientific people on this forum?

 

[Dixiedoodle]

I don't think science is the problem here. I have been reading about hens/laying ratio for about two years.. The best I can figure, every breed is different, each breed from each hatcheries is different, each breed from each breeder is different..etc. etc. . A hatchery might breed any and everything that comes along. Giving no thought to looks, conformation, laying ability or temperament! Just looking at their $$$$ bottom line! A breeder might be breeding for confirmation more so than the laying ability... The next breeder might be breeding for temperament or comb conformation, or even the color of their legs and beaks... So, If you want more eggs your best bet is to go with the production breeds.. bred JUST for their egg laying ability.

Good luck on your search...

 

[Teach97]

Quote:
yeah..what they said!

Some breeds are known as layers some aren't....go with what is called a egg layer and you should be okay...

 

[firedove]

Usually sex-links are great layers if you are just looking for a lot of eggs. My 2 gold sex-links (golden comets) were giving me 3 eggs every 2 days. Yup, that's right, one hen laid 2 eggs every other day. Not the norm for a gold sex-link, but definitely made them my best layers. My black sex-links laid well too, nearly an egg every day all year except during molt. The barred rocks were nearly as reliable about 2 eggs every 3 days each. On the other hand my "dual purpose" Wyandottes are not nearly as reliable as it seems all kinds of things make them pause in laying and they didn't lay all winter for me. But I still get plenty of eggs for my purpose and many to sell as well, I just don't need every hen to lay every day (in fact if they did I have no idea what I would do with all of those eggs!).

Bottom line, if you are looking for egg production as your major goal, I'd go with a sex-link breed. I don't know what the best dual purpose layer would be, maybe someone else can help there.