What breed for egg laying?

[danieltony010]

My 6 Black Australorps average over 5 eggs a day. They’re awesome birds! I think they fit your situation and location quite well. Do some homework but you’ll be happy with whatever breed you decide on. Chickens are fun, entertaining and they squirt out eggs!

Thanks for you quick reply and the information.

 

[Sadness Child]

I second the Sussex and Easter Egger pick I am in New Mexico and the Speckled Sussex that I had did very well, I also had 3 New Hampshire Reds they were amazing they layed about 4-5 medium to large brown eggs a week and did great. Another breed that is harder to get is the Crested Cream Legbars or Cream Legbars. I do not know if they do particularly well in your winter but they did fine in NM, their temperament is like the leghorns, but they lay about 5 medium to large bright blue eggs a week, and you can breed them to get Olive Eggers

 

[danieltony010]

I second the Sussex and Easter Egger pick I am in New Mexico and the Speckled Sussex that I had did very well, I also had 3 New Hampshire Reds they were amazing they layed about 4-5 medium to large brown eggs a week and did great. Another breed that is harder to get is the Crested Cream Legbars or Cream Legbars. I do not know if they do particularly well in your winter but they did fine in NM, their temperament is like the leghorns, but they lay about 5 medium to large bright blue eggs a week, and you can breed them to get Olive Eggers

Thanks for your prompt reply and insightful information.

 

[WVBirdsAndBees]

For egg production and feed to egg ratio, you just can't beat white leghorns. As everyone has said.

The different sexlinks can offer similar short-term production sometimes but are mixes, may not lay as long, and can have health issues.

Brown layers known for good production include plymouth rocks, australorps, new hampshire or rhode island reds, and a few others.

If temperament matters, many will suggest orpingtons for their sweet disposition. They're also decent layers. Sussex and australorps also tend to be pretty docile but individuals and bloodlines/genetics will vary.

If you want colored eggs, easter eggers will typically give you a good amount of green or blue. Cream legbars will cost a bit more but lay a lot of blue eggs. For dark brown, marans and welsummers are common but typically don't lay as much as the most productive breeds. Olive or green egg hybrids are available too.

Sorry a lot of this just summarizes/repeats what everyone has so helpfully said. Basically, there are a ton of good options and it depends a lot on your personal preferences - like whether personality, egg color, or looks matter.

My recommendation? I'd get a couple birds of 2 or 3 breeds you're interested in and see what you like. We've been surprised by how much we fell in love with cream legbars and australorps, while not enjoying our (bossy/not so productive) wyandottes as much as expected.

Good luck!

 

[nao57]

Actually if you are looking at # of eggs per year, the Khaki Campbell ducks beat everything.

Have you considered that chickens aren't the only option?

Ducks are easier to herd than chickens in some ways if you can accept the fact that they are a bit messier and need more water.

 

[Chickencrazy21043]

My white leghorns are sooooo consist. Everyday just about for the last year and even though winter although light winter

 

[Alyssa-Bee]

Hi, I'm in NM too! We have had Orpingtons, Rhode island reds, and Americanas. We are just now trying out Sussex (we got two Welsummers being sold as sussex), Welsummers, and blue laced red wyandottes. My favorite so far is the Americanas, each one has its own very unique personality. (And they lay blue eggs!)

 

[Sadness Child]

We tried Americaunas first with the sussex, but both of them turned out to be roos

 

[Alyssa-Bee]

We tried Americaunas first with the sussex, but both of them turned out to be roos

Yeah, I'm suspicious that our sussex is a roo, big waddles... but I will not give up hope yet!

 

[nashua]

I vote for Gold Star Cinnamon Queen (Sex link hen), but TheOddOneOut is right about the reproductive issues (most likely caused by being bred to lay so many eggs. Also Easter Eggers.