Recommendations for backyard egg layers?

[Domestic_goddess]

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I completely agree, thank you!

 

[Domestic_goddess]

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They are a great breed and worth a try, I love them! The only problem is how broody the tend to be.

 

[Judy]

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And yet lots of people find they lay late, even up to one year; mine started around 25 weeks and later. My 4 are flighty but a lot of people say they are friendly. My 2 SS are good layers, not daily, but all through winter. Someone said their RIR were their friendliest; mine were quite the opposite. In the end, it's about the individuals you get.

 

[Domestic_goddess]

My EE's are amazing, I love them. Sweet, docile, But they didn't start laying until like 36 weeks and don't lay every day.

 

[salunra]

I didn't "change" my question so much as "refine" it.

I think everyone has their opinion on the "best" type/s of chickens to have. I wanted to see what people thought of their various breeds to be able to make decisions.

I guess I was trying to get a gauge on the personality on some of the more reliable, high production hens so that I could figure out what I want for my backyard flock. I think everything is a learning experience, and right now I want reliable egg producers (even if not HIGH level producers) that provide me with color in my yard and egg basket, and are docile and friendly as I have kids that are going to want to be involved with the chicks.

I do appreciate everyone's input.

 

[Cowgirl71]

It sounds like you need at least one Black Australorp hen! Very docile and very high reliable egg production.

Easter Eggers are a very varied breed. They are mutts, and every hatchery has their own mix, and so EE reviews can be quite different. Everything from "first to lay and my very best year round producers" to "this EE pullet is nine months old... when is she gonna start laying?" Some say they're really docile and others say they are very flighty. And some lay green/blue eggs, and many lay brown eggs, and other colors are possible. If you do decide to get them, make sure to get at least two if you're only getting them for the blue/green eggs.

Rhode Island Reds could be another great choice. It's well known that this is the best year-round brown egg producing purebred. Many find them aggressive, but mine from McMurray are quite docile. Again, it all depends on the strain.

Buff Orpingtons would be great choice if you wanted a docile breed that will stop laying in the summer to hatch and raise some chicks, and then be an excellent layer the rest of the year.

I really like Barred Rocks. They're a great all-round breed, and are the classic farm chicken.

My Wyandottes are very beautiful hens, but are rather sporadic layers. Sometimes laying really well, and then taking a break for a while.

I've never had Speckled Sussex, Turkens, or Delawares.

 

[CoffeeCow]

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I did a good bit of research before getting my flock. I have a 2 year old (almost 3), and I wanted him to help with the chickens. I also wanted Colorful eggs.
My Delawares are by far the friendliest of the flock,they come up and follow you around, they are very curious and love it when we come out to the coop.
The Buff orpington is very calm and kind of a loner..
The EE's are fun, they are a bit skittish, but not aggressive in the least.

I did get a rooster also, and this was probably not a good choice on my part for the kids, Don't get me wrong, he is very friendly, but he is also very protective
of his "harem". the main reason I got him was so that the kids could see some baby chicks get hatched. but once we get those chicks, I'm sad to say that
Spazz (the cockerel) will be finding a new home.

If I was limited to 4 or 5 birds for my flock, I would more than likely get 2 delawares, EE's and I think I would try a Black Australop <sp?> as I hear they are
almost the same as a BO, but lay a lot better.

Hope that helps you a little, and have fun

 

[neilgal]

I've got Road Island red, White Leg Horn, Auricana, and the best egglaying is without a doubt the red and black Stars.
Nice brown color extra large eggs every day.

 

[Clay Valley Farmer]

Like posted the EEs are all over the map as far as eggs. If you want to be certain of production that is where the sex links/hybrids shine. As they have been developed for egg quality they tend to lay fairly early, very regularly, produce uniform eggs and seldom go broody. Any breeding stock for the hybrids that did not pass on those traits would be culled.

When you get into other breeds esp EEs the predictability goes down depending on the strain and how it was developed, some without doubt will be great layers, others will be so-so. Seen a barred rock laying round eggs, got a couple EE's laying eggs that look like duck green/blue duck eggs cochin is pumping out pointy end ones every couple days, but the ISA browns produce the most uniform even sized eggs of the flock and pop them out by 8am nearly everyday.