Reliable Egg Layers??

[Kelsey Cathy]

I got the 'production pak' and received 11 RIR, 9 Black Astrolops and 8 Barred Rocks. Those are what the hatcheries feel are the best layers I guess. I would have liked some Buffs but...... Anyway tThey are 2 months old now so I am looking forward to lots of eggs at Easter

 

[acs5071]

We have 1 each of the breeds you posted and they are among our best birds. We have 2 white leghorns that have been laying since August and have each only missed 1 day. They are our best permormers but not much of a pet. The next tier is our; Gold star, Buff Orpington, Barred Rock each of them rarely miss a day maybe 1-2 a month and they all are sweet and fun.

 

[unix_micki]

Thank you all, i am leaning towards getting the golden buffs

 

[unix_micki]

Will they ship ok from OH to WA state in January??

 

[humpbacks1962]

My Black Stars laid like maniacs! Never went broody and gave me eggs even during the winter... One a day each!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Quote:
Oooooooh!!!! Gosh, that's really a tough one. Fact is, most hatcheries are unofficially or officially closed down until February. The parent stock needs the break. Winter isn't a time that hatcheries are cranked up. New breeding stock is being evaluated, the old being culled, etc.

Now, the weather? Ouch!!! Risky business this time of year.

 

[unix_micki]

Fred's Hens :

Quote:
Oooooooh!!!! Gosh, that's really a tough one. Fact is, most hatcheries are unofficially or officially closed down until February. The parent stock needs the break. Winter isn't a time that hatcheries are cranked up. New breeding stock is being evaluated, the old being culled, etc.

Now, the weather? Ouch!!! Risky business this time of year.

ya, that is what i am afraid of.....maybe march/april?

Is there a closer hatchery or will they ship fine in warmer weather?​

 

[Fred's Hens]

They'll ship just fine in March. It is the possibility of being stuck on a truck somewhere, in subzero weather that scares me. Such bitter weather is relatively rare in March and even less an issue in April. The hatcheries use great technology in packing and shipping, but honestly? What concerns me is what happens when the box of chicks is out of the hatchery's hands and before it gets into yours.

 

[OmAnNom]

Most farm stores, ESP in the great NW, cary black/red or gold sex-links (by whatever special name they want to call it) in the early spring. Why have them shipped from the hatchery and go through all that stress? Maybe just call around to a couple of your favorites and find out when they'll be getting their chicks in. Then you can hand pick some nice healthy ones that are usually just a couple days old. We have a mixed flock, but our first 2 chickens were just two little gold sex-links we picked up at the farm store and they are amazing. We'll ALWAYS have a couple in our flock, because they each lay a large brown egg a day, every day since they first laid - in the short winter days, in the snow, in the 113 deg summer, in the hurricane, and even in their molt.

 

[SassyKat6181]

My Barred Rocks and Black Sex Links that I got through Welp Hatchery all lay an egg a day, nice large brown eggs!