Statistically, What is the Best Brown Egg Layer, excluding sexlinks.

[TimG]

Quote:
I think you'll find that Production Reds aren't really a breed and probably have some connection to "massice international business".

That having been said, if I were to start a flock for purely egg producing purposes, think I would select Golden Comets or similar. I think there are a sex-link, RIR type. There are other names like Cinnamon Queen.

 

[Fred's Hens]

While it is true that the vast majority of hatchery "breeds" are not up to judging as "pure" and the rest aren't likely to be up to type, I believe what the OP desires is something that is a breed, in the hatchery sense. It would also breed true, in other words, more of it's kind can be produced, even if it is not up to breed showing standards.

The sex link, is a one time hybrid, of course. It doesn't breed true. A hatchery Barred Rock will produce more Barred Rocks of the hatchery type and the production, hatchery Rhode Island Red would do the same.

 

[Mervin]

Fred's Hens :

While it is true that the vast majority of hatchery "breeds" are not up to judging as "pure" and the rest aren't likely to be up to type, I believe what the OP desires is something that is a breed, in the hatchery sense. It would also breed true, in other words, more of it's kind can be produced, even if it is not up to breed showing standards.

The sex link, is a one time hybrid, of course. It doesn't breed true. A hatchery Barred Rock will produce more Barred Rocks of the hatchery type and the production, hatchery Rhode Island Red would do the same.

I agree. The OP would probably be more than satisfied with a hatchery "breed". I don't think that there's anything at all to be ashamed of in that either. Half of my flock are hatchery birds and the other half are breeder Welsummers (not the best quality though). If you forced me to choose, the Welsummers would be in the pot. They don't lay as well, nor are they as personable. They have nice size and type, but that's about it. The dark eggs are nice when they're laying, but I probably have already gotten rid of them if it weren't for my little girl.

I would like to build a flock that lays pretty well and could win at the state farm show. If I had to choose just one aspect, I would certainly choose production. I suppose if there were still big egg-laying contest, then "production" might not be such a dirty word.​

 

[Fred's Hens]

Quote:
I agree. The OP would probably be more than satisfied with a hatchery "breed". I don't think that there's anything at all to be ashamed of in that either. Half of my flock are hatchery birds and the other half are breeder Welsummers (not the best quality though). If you forced me to choose, the Welsummers would be in the pot. They don't lay as well, nor are they as personable. They have nice size and type, but that's about it. The dark eggs are nice when they're laying, but I probably have already gotten rid of them if it weren't for my little girl.

I would like to build a flock that lays pretty well and could win at the state farm show. If I had to choose just one aspect, I would certainly choose production. I suppose if there were still big egg-laying contest, then "production" might not be such a dirty word.

Once upon a time, I really thought hard and long about breeding top notch, pretty, but rugged beagles with great nose and traits. I had some success.

I've never honestly given True to Breed show chicks a moment's thought. No interest. My birds are totally utilitarian. I love the ISAs and production Reds. Wouldn't mind a GREAT laying Barred Rock or White Rock, but with feed costs as high as they are, the budget simply doesn't allow for keeping hens that cannot "bring the mail". Nice as it might be to have some other birds, it isn't going to happen.

 

[jennh]

I have had BR, Australorp, and RIRs. The RIRs DEFINITELY are egg laying machines. Mine (I have 2, got another since they lay so well) lay almost every day, except the last couple of days when the temps have been in the teens for the HIGH, and below zero for the lows. If you are really interested in egg laying, and a pure breed, get some RIRs.

JMHO,
Jen

 

[Mahonri]

Rocks or RIR... but my very best layers were Black Sex links.

If you want eggs with size for eating later, you can't beat them.

 

[spartacus_63]

I have two decent RIR Roosters and four birds that look like Buff Orpingtons that I have crossed. My intent was for broody hens that can also lay decent eggs. I have 2 hens and four pullets that I am working with. Two are 17 months and they are giving me 5 or 6 eggs a week each. The other four are 28 weeks and have been producing for two to three weeks. I am still getting small to pee wee eggs from them with an occasional medium. The eggs are light in color like the Orpington but I am very happy with their numbers. If these four pullets produce like their sisters, I may have to breed them for another generation to see if the trait carries.

I am unsure of the BO pedigree, they were rescue birds, but they look like standard hatchery or feed store birds. The two hybrid hens also are broody capable. I hatched a clutch of seven from one of them last year. The other did not get tested. They are also good size birds and will make good dinner guests some day. I did not weigh them since that was not my objective, but they have a nice breast and thighs.

I never really thought of the BOs as egg machines, but mine have been giving me very good numbers. I also have one BR hen (another rescue bird) who is consistent with six eggs per week. Unfortunately, neither of my roos are good enough for her. I would like to get a few egg machines from her. My RIR hens have good numbers to.

 

[Mervin]

Fred's Hens :

Quote:
I agree. The OP would probably be more than satisfied with a hatchery "breed". I don't think that there's anything at all to be ashamed of in that either. Half of my flock are hatchery birds and the other half are breeder Welsummers (not the best quality though). If you forced me to choose, the Welsummers would be in the pot. They don't lay as well, nor are they as personable. They have nice size and type, but that's about it. The dark eggs are nice when they're laying, but I probably have already gotten rid of them if it weren't for my little girl.

I would like to build a flock that lays pretty well and could win at the state farm show. If I had to choose just one aspect, I would certainly choose production. I suppose if there were still big egg-laying contest, then "production" might not be such a dirty word.

Once upon a time, I really thought hard and long about breeding top notch, pretty, but rugged beagles with great nose and traits. I had some success.

I've never honestly given True to Breed show chicks a moment's thought. No interest. My birds are totally utilitarian. I love the ISAs and production Reds. Wouldn't mind a GREAT laying Barred Rock or White Rock, but with feed costs as high as they are, the budget simply doesn't allow for keeping hens that cannot "bring the mail". Nice as it might be to have some other birds, it isn't going to happen.​

It's funny you mentioned dogs. When I was typing my post I was thinking about show dogs versus field trials dog, or just a good hunting dog. Again, I'm always going to choose the animal that "performs" in the field. The big reason I don't have dogs right now is that I don't have time to train them and get them in the field. There is nothing sadder than a dog with a good nose that doesn't get the chance. I feel the same about chickens, ribbons are nice but I can eat an egg or a cull rooster with good size to him.

 

[sheila3935]

Ok this is just my experience, I have 8 production reds that lay an egg almost every day, and a barred rock that does the same. They are about 10 months old. All winter I have been averaging 8 eggs a day out of the 9. I have 2 black australorps 3 barred rocks 1 RIR 2 naked necks and 3 mixes in the other coop that just started laying and I am getting about 6 to 8 eggs a day from them. They are around 6 months old.

 

[Fred's Hens]

True, if one wants to re-coup a decent carcass for meat at the end of lay, the little 4 pound laying machines aren't going to offer much more than stock and some pulled meat, and to me, that is just fine. Because, that isn't my goal with laying hens. Raising a pen of 40 dedicated roasters is quick and easy and the meat will far surpass even the best of any old, culled DP hen.

I have some Black Sex Links (Barred Rock over RIR) and their lay is 50-60 eggs a year less than a Red. (260 eggs vs 310 eggs) That is good production, but seriously less, from an egg sellers standpoint. Additionally, the extra feed that a 6 lb BSL eats over its career would have fed out a 12 week meat bird handsomely. Thus, my BSL haven't made the grade, for me. More feed, slightly less eggs? I won't be getting any more.