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Cyn - They were originally bred in Belgium as production layers. In their hay-day they were called "The Everyday Layer." Unfortunately, today's American Campines have not maintained these good qualities due to the lack of selective breeding. BTW - The Leghorn was the egg layer of choice when commercial egg production started in the US and most of the Campines disappeared during the depression, likely eaten.
They should lay a medium to large, porcelain white egg. In reality, their eggs are usually white, but creamy white to light beige is not uncommon. The size is not too bad, once they get past their first season, and like other breeds the eggs tend to get bigger as the hen gets older. I acquired five hens that didn't lay at all when I first got them. I was certain they were too old to lay when they were acquired. With regular worming, supplemented feed, and free ranging, they began laying, and the one I still have has been laying as well as the young ones for the last year. I have not been able to select for egg laying just yet as there are too many other things that have priority right now, and the first hens I raised are only coming two years old.
Generally, I find that between April and May they lay about 5-6 eggs a week per hen. From the time it gets hot (June?) until they molt, they slow down and I may get 1-2 eggs a week (it gets REALLY hot here.) I find that the hens take a break during the winter and I have to supplement lighting to get enough to hatch in early spring. They usually stop laying with molt in August and I'm lucky to get one egg a week from December through March. These are just estimates, I have not been keeping records of production because I am not selecting for that yet. Once the line stabilizes, I will be trying to get them back to "Everyday Layers."
They are not supposed to go broody, but I have had three Campine crosses that did, and I have heard from the two others that I know are breeding them that they occasionally have one that goes broody, as well. I would say that it is uncommon, but not unheard of.
They should lay a medium to large, porcelain white egg. In reality, their eggs are usually white, but creamy white to light beige is not uncommon. The size is not too bad, once they get past their first season, and like other breeds the eggs tend to get bigger as the hen gets older. I acquired five hens that didn't lay at all when I first got them. I was certain they were too old to lay when they were acquired. With regular worming, supplemented feed, and free ranging, they began laying, and the one I still have has been laying as well as the young ones for the last year. I have not been able to select for egg laying just yet as there are too many other things that have priority right now, and the first hens I raised are only coming two years old.
Generally, I find that between April and May they lay about 5-6 eggs a week per hen. From the time it gets hot (June?) until they molt, they slow down and I may get 1-2 eggs a week (it gets REALLY hot here.) I find that the hens take a break during the winter and I have to supplement lighting to get enough to hatch in early spring. They usually stop laying with molt in August and I'm lucky to get one egg a week from December through March. These are just estimates, I have not been keeping records of production because I am not selecting for that yet. Once the line stabilizes, I will be trying to get them back to "Everyday Layers."
They are not supposed to go broody, but I have had three Campine crosses that did, and I have heard from the two others that I know are breeding them that they occasionally have one that goes broody, as well. I would say that it is uncommon, but not unheard of.
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