- Thread starter
- #31
CountryGirl1120
In the Brooder
I know what you mean. I have 19 right now and even in the summer months it seems like some of the eggs are warm when I collect them. I'll have to try more hay this year in the boxes. Thanks for the suggestion.Last winter, I only had 1 egg freeze. I find that if I get out there several times/day to gather eggs, keep lots of hay in the boxes, they are less likely to freeze. I think that having a larger flock helps also b/c they generate more body heat, and the nests are more likely to have a hen setting in them.
That would make sense to breed for looks and type. I think most breeders would probably make sure their stock is show quality after all. I love the sex links! I started my chicken keeping with just 1 and then this year I ordered 5. I cant just go a flock of all of them. While I would like to I like to have diversity. I love the looks of the brahmas and the speckled sussex. My hatchery Black Copper Marans actually lays pretty decent too. I get an egg a day from her it seems. And the New Hampshires seem to do well as well. I've never really considered leghorns because when I buy, since I know after about 2 years I'm thinning them out, I try to go for breeds that lay well and are of decent size. The only ones I dont do that with are the EE's because well, colored eggs. Even though I have one EE girl that has to weigh about 8lbs I swear.The breeder quality I purchased were being bred for show. They are pretty birds who go broody often, but are extremely poor layers. I'm sure there must be breeders that breed for production, but most seem to be after type and looks. My hatchery stock lays longer into their lives. If you just want good production and want to cull afterwards I would personally just keep either leghorns or any of the various sex links. The leghorns will produce longer into their lives and the sex links will go like crazy for about two years, than are best culled at the end of the second season.