The Best Layer

[FlockHappy]

I'm looking for the greatest egg layer I can get, so long as that quality is combined with a sweet temper and great mothers. I've been researching all sorts of chickens, and get mixed opinions. Currently I have 2 barred rock hens and 1 dominique. I had started with 6 dominiques but some stuff happened to the rest. I don't want to get more of that kind because I wasn't satisfied with their egg laying. So I'm looking for an excellent layer.
I had decided to get Salmon Faverolles at first, but then wasn't sure -- (due to many sights that have different opinions of their egg laying amount).
Currently I'm planning on getting the Australorp. I read many good things about them.
Anyone has input on these breeds or others?
I found someone nearby me that has all these breeds hatching next week, (And they're only charging $1 per chick): Americanas, Barred Rock, Blk Australorp, Blk Giant, Blk Sex Link, Buff Orphington, Golden Comet, Light Brahma, Rhode Island Red, Brown Leghorns, White Leghorn, Buff Brahmas, Dark Brahmas, Speckled Sussex, Columbians, Gold Laced & Silver Laced Wyandotte

 

[Rainwolf]

     I'm looking for the greatest egg layer I can get, so long as that quality is combined with a sweet temper and great mothers. I've been researching all sorts of chickens, and get mixed opinions. Currently I have 2 barred rock hens and 1 dominique. I had started with 6 dominiques but some stuff happened to the rest. I don't want to get more of that kind because I wasn't satisfied with their egg laying. So I'm looking for an excellent layer.
     I had decided to get Salmon Faverolles at first, but then wasn't sure -- (due to many sights that have different opinions of their egg laying amount).
     Currently I'm planning on getting the Australorp. I read many good things about them.
     Anyone has input on these breeds or others?
     I found someone nearby me that has all these breeds hatching next week, (And they're only charging $1 per chick): Americanas, Barred Rock, Blk Australorp, Blk Giant, Blk Sex Link, Buff Orphington, Golden Comet, Light Brahma, Rhode Island Red, Brown Leghorns, White Leghorn, Buff Brahmas, Dark Brahmas, Speckled Sussex, Columbians, Gold Laced & Silver Laced Wyandotte

If you just want laying power with a nice bird I would go with the productions.....
any of the sex-links, golden comet (a buff sex link), production reds or production leghorns

The production breeds are built for massive laying power but you will have to replace them every 2-3 years as they go from almost everyday laying to maybe laying every other day (1/2 what they used too)

If you want show quality sweet birds that lay you might want to look into Heritage Rhode Island Reds, Java's and some of the other heritage breeds.

Hope this helps

 

[ECBW]

The conventional charactorizations of the breeds are good guides, such that Leghorns for white eggs, RIR and Production hybrids for brown eggs. Austraulorp, Orpington, BR for easy temperment at lower lay rates.

However, my experience has been that what you get might deviate a bit. My RIRs produce the same as my BR. My new EE is not living up to the bar set by the previous EE.

 

[Oregon Blues]

You are very unlikely to get laying power and broodiness in the same bird. They are opposing qualities.

Top Layer is Khaki Campbell duck, closely followed by Welsh Harlequin duck, and then the Leghorn chicken can't be beat if you want chicken eggs.

Leghorns are high energy. The brown leghorns are probably better family flock temperament, but I don't know if the level of laying is the same.

If you must have lots of eggs plus broodiness, get laying specialist birds for your eggs and a couple of broody breed hens to set for you. You should not need more than a couple of serious broody hens to keep you well supplied with chicks. In the mean time, your laying hens will keep on cranking out the eggs.

 

[FlockHappy]

I really rather stay way from the hybrids, cuz I rather have a breed that I can get chicks from rather than having to go out and buy new chicks every so often.
I've heard that Rhode Island Reds are known for their mean temper. That's why I want to stay away from them. I really don't like a mean chicken.

 

[FlockHappy]

Personally, I think duck eggs taste just the same as chicken eggs. But none of my family thinks so, and my husband absolutely insists that he can't stand duck eggs. So getting ducks for eggs really is out of the picture. Sadly...for I love ducks.

 

[Rainwolf]

Personally, I think duck eggs taste just the same as chicken eggs. But none of my family thinks so, and my husband absolutely insists that he can't stand duck eggs. So getting ducks for eggs really is out of the picture. Sadly...for I love ducks.

The friendliest chicken I've ever had was Buckeyes (can't believe I left them out of my original reply!)

Heritage Rhode Island Reds are very nice .. least the ones I've had. Hatchery RIR's are another matter...

But if you want friendly try a buckeye or java....

If you want broody then get a hen for brooding and layers for eggs like Oregon Blues suggested.

 

[aShMaNv]

I have had barred rocks and heritage rhode island reds and production reds. Honestly some of my heritage RIR and Production reds have been better tempered than the BR. They Heritage RIR and BR lay about the same, but the production red lays better than both. I have never had a temperment problem with the Heritage RIR or Production Reds. I personally am happier with the RIRs than the BR but thats just my experience.
I have heard good things about australorps, but i have never had any so i cant be of much help there.

Oregon Blues is right about the egg laying and broodiness. U usually wont find both in the same bird. You may consider getting the layers you want and pick up a hen or two of a breed that is really broody just for that purpose. I have a couple cochin hens that i keep around just for that purpose.

 

[FlockHappy]

Yeah. I was thinking of doing that. I heard silkies are good for that.
Seriously, it's hard to settle down with one type of chicken. I get interested in so many of them. The fever just never ends. But for now I want to start with something that will serve my purpose, and maybe later I can add some odd breed to the flock.

 

[aShMaNv]

Well you can always try those different breeds out and have a mixed flock and see what ones you really like. I personally like to look out the window and see different colored chickens running around the yard. You dont have to settle on one. I would say a mixed flock of reds, barred rocks, and australorps would be very hard to beat and you would always have plenty of big brown eggs