Starting a Flock (Egg laying breeds to consider)

[GC-Raptor]

How many do you have?

I have 7. I updated my post to include number. Sorry bout that. GC

 

[GC-Raptor]

38 eggs in 1 week?

Yes, Sunday through Saturday. GC

 

[imnukensc]

I will echo GC-Raptor. I average a dozen eggs every 3 days from 5 BRs. Friendly birds and they don't, or typically don't, go broody. If you wanted to add some color to your flock and your eggs I'd probably go half and half BRs and EEs.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Friendly birds and they don't, or typically don't, go broody.

I'm glad to hear that. GC

 

[PirateGirl]

I also live in a cold climate and got my flock to be layers, not meat birds, not just pets. Birds with heavier bodies and smaller combs do better in cold climates, however single comb birds can do alright too.

I'm assuming your original list is partly due to breeds you have researched and partly what is commonly available near you. Commonly available birds are common for a reason, and generally they will suit your needs and environment well. Looking at your original list I might scrap the leghorns due to your winters. EEs have been developed by crossbreeding many breeds over the years and different hatcheries use different stock and they are selected mostly for egg color, not production, so it's really hit or miss how well they will produce for you. My Ameraucana has a tiny little comb and does well in the cold and averages about 4 eggs a week. My Wyandottes also do quite well in the cold and average 4 eggs a week. Honestly my chicken that I'm happiest with is my Bielefelder, which was recommended to me by the breeder/farmer, he had many many breeds to choose from and recommended the biel based on the fact that I wanted cold hardy layers. She lays larger eggs than any of my other girls and is my largest chicken without particularly being heavy bodied (if that makes sense) and she's got a great temperament to boot.

I have to mention this though... Have you considered ducks? I got ducks after I got chickens. Had I gotten ducks first I may not have ever gotten chickens. They do sooooo well in the cold compared to the chickens. I cannot stress this enough. The chickens will hide in their coop and the ducks with nestle down in the snow. My ducks have been more consistent layers and average 6-7 eggs a week each in summer. Additionally the eggs are bigger and better . I know you are planning chickens right now, but I really feel for cold climates it's worth doing a little research and considering ducks.

 

[Kholts]

Honestly my chicken that I'm happiest with is my Bielefelder, which was recommended to me by the breeder/farmer, he had many many breeds to choose from and recommended the biel based on the fact that I wanted cold hardy layers. She lays larger eggs than any of my other girls and is my largest chicken without particularly being heavy bodied (if that makes sense) and she's got a great temperament to boot.

That is 1 breed I have not researched nor had even come up while researching. I will have to take a look! I’ll also check the list of vendors at the market and see if anyone of them list that as a breed they will have for sale. Thank you!

I have to mention this though... Have you considered ducks? I got ducks after I got chickens. Had I gotten ducks first I may not have ever gotten chickens. They do sooooo well in the cold compared to the chickens. I cannot stress this enough. The chickens will hide in their coop and the ducks with nestle down in the snow. My ducks have been more consistent layers and average 6-7 eggs a week each in summer. Additionally the eggs are bigger and better . I know you are planning chickens right now, but I really feel for cold climates it's worth doing a little research and considering ducks.

I had briefly considered ducks but never really researched. A couple questions I have for you.

Do they consistently lay all year or do they slow considerably during the winter months?

Do you provide a swimming water source during the winter, Is that required? If so HOW?! When I think ducks I automatically think water hahaha.

 

[PirateGirl]

That is 1 breed I have not researched nor had even come up while researching. I will have to take a look! I’ll also check the list of vendors at the market and see if anyone of them list that as a breed they will have for sale. Thank you!



I had briefly considered ducks but never really researched. A couple questions I have for you.

Do they consistently lay all year or do they slow considerably during the winter months?

Do you provide a swimming water source during the winter, Is that required? If so HOW?! When I think ducks I automatically think water hahaha.

I don't know how easy it will be to find Bielefelders, honestly, I went to a farm to get started pullets and had a few breeds I wanted, but was open to other breeds the farmer had available at the time and recommended, so I ended up with her, and I'm glad I did.

Chickens and ducks will all quit laying in winter when daylight gets short if you don't supplement lighting. The first winter, when they are under a year old, you may get some that lay through the winter, which may or may not be consistently, but subsequent winters, all bets are off.

Once in awhile on a day above freezing I will give ducks swimming water for an afternoon in winter and they will clean up and preen (they will swim in any temp, but it's hard to provide swimming water in any temp). In winter I just fill a small 15-20 gallon stock tank; I can do it in about 3 trips to the spigot with buckets because I don't mess with the hose in winter.

 

[Kholts]

I don't know how easy it will be to find Bielefelders, honestly, I went to a farm to get started pullets and had a few breeds I wanted, but was open to other breeds the farmer had available at the time and recommended, so I ended up with her, and I'm glad I did.

Chickens and ducks will all quit laying in winter when daylight gets short if you don't supplement lighting. The first winter, when they are under a year old, you may get some that lay through the winter, which may or may not be consistently, but subsequent winters, all bets are off.

Once in awhile on a day above freezing I will give ducks swimming water for an afternoon in winter and they will clean up and preen (they will swim in any temp, but it's hard to provide swimming water in any temp). In winter I just fill a small 15-20 gallon stock tank; I can do it in about 3 trips to the spigot with buckets because I don't mess with the hose in winter.

Surprisingly I checked the vendors list for the upcoming sale and there is a lady who will have bielfelder chicks! So I will definitely consider the breed knowing I can get them.

See the whole birds don’t lay during the winter without lighting is the only thing making me question getting laying birds at all. Our winters here are so looooong that I’m wondering if going through the feeding all winter just for spring and summer eggs (a total of what seems 3 months lol) is even going to be worth it? What is the longest your birds have gone without laying?

 

[PirateGirl]

Surprisingly I checked the vendors list for the upcoming sale and there is a lady who will have bielfelder chicks! So I will definitely consider the breed knowing I can get them.

See the whole birds don’t lay during the winter without lighting is the only thing making me question getting laying birds at all. Our winters here are so looooong that I’m wondering if going through the feeding all winter just for spring and summer eggs (a total of what seems 3 months lol) is even going to be worth it? What is the longest your birds have gone without laying?

I think most of my birds quit laying the first week of December, I now have one duck and one chicken laying, sometimes, but everyone else is still on strike. In summer I have more eggs than I know what to do with however and my stockpile lasted quite awhile headed into the slow time of year.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Our winters here are so looooong that I’m wondering if going through the feeding all winter just for spring and summer eggs (a total of what seems 3 months lol) is even going to be worth it? What is the longest your birds have gone without laying?

My birds usually quit around October and resume in February? So 4 months. Some stop earlier, some resume later, so there's no set number.

What you can do is get chicks very early in spring, so they'll start laying before winter and be more likely to continue laying through their first winter, and/or stockpile a little bit during fall, that can keep you in eggs a couple of months, depending on how many eggs you eat of course.