What breed is the best year round brown egg layer?

[BirdNut]

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I'm shocked nobody mentioned Plymouth Rocks! My girls lay year-round, and never just abruptly stop. Rarely, I do get a day when I only get one egg, and there are two hens that are currently laying. I've been consistently getting two large, perfect brown eggs every day. They're delicious, too!

 

[Resolution]

Barnesvelder would be my first choice. Supplement their diet with animal fat (once every two to three weeks) and animal protein at least once a week to insure that they are in top form.

 

[BirdNut]

Wow, how funny. I was just talking about how I consistently get two a day. I went outside to collect this morning and got three!

 

[roverjohn]

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I understand all these are good layers but they are not true breeds but are hybred chickens. They were developed as "production layers". If I understand correctly these type chickens produce like mad for a year and are pretty well burned out after that.
I guess it all depends on what you want in a flock. Factory-line production machine birds or a flock of layers that give you a lot of pleasure and companionship while producing you plenty of good food for several years.


I know many here will disagree. That's ok...I've go my "flame-proof" skivies on.

Larry

I'm not sure where this comes from. The idea that hybrids "just stop" laying after a year seems kind of absurd. If chickens do slow down as they age wouldn't you want to start with faster birds?

 

[GoldenCometLover]

Golden Comets of course!!

My girls started laying earlier than my BR and they lay every day, beautiful brown and yummy eggs....

I don't know about the "produce like mad for a year" burn out myth...my girls are only around 7 months old...sounds silly to me....

(edited for spelling)

 

[Beekissed]

Boo-Boo's Mama :

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Most of my flock wants my attention, the SLW are the holdouts.

One big ole BO gets my attention by pecking me; Daisy is so big she doesn't jump up on my lap or on the arm of the chair. Barbara Ann (BR) loves to have a daily chat and she expects me to put my arm around her so she can snuggle up close. Opal (EE), my smallest, loves to be petted while she whispers her woes to me. Violet (BO) sits on my lap...one day this week I had Barbara Ann on the arm of my chair, Opal sitting on my foot and Violet on my knee and all wanting my attention.

I guess my girls don't see me as a big ole predator.

I'm guessing that food was/is involved. Rarely have I ever seen a chicken voluntarily jump up on a human unless they have, in the past, received food as a reward for this behaviour. Not saying it couldn't happen...just not real likely unless they have been conditioned to expect food.

Do you want to have friendly chicken for kids or the one that run up to you?

I like my chickens to be chickens. If you train them to come to food that is hand fed or thrown at your feet, they will surely come arunnin' and may even "snuggle" with you for the chance at getting food.

Do I want friendly? Well, as far as I know, I've never had an unfriendly chicken. I do like that they are cautious and not underfoot at all times. I have a lot of choring on this place that I like to be able to stride along and do, which one cannot do if you are constantly tripping over chickens.

I have affectionate dogs, cats and even sheep....I don't need affection from the 30 chickens I have. Who in the world has time for all that petting and coddling?

My birds free range...their survival counts on them being alert to dangers of all kinds. I expect them to see me as a predator, as it is the normal and smart thing for them to do. It also lets my roo know that I am not to be challenged and that it is much wiser to sidestep the two legged one. This keeps me from having to watch my back when I am doing my daily chores.

My chickens have their own social structure, which, I'm sure is not lacking in any way and would not be further enriched by being pawed by me on a daily basis!

I don't know about y'all, but my human relationships are fulfilling enough that I do not crave affection from my chickens.

 

[Boo-Boo's Mama]

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As a matter of fact I have time for all that petting and coddling...22 chickens, 3 cats, 1 dog and 9 rabbits fill my hours when I'm home alone which is 1/2 of the year. My husband works away from home, I don't drive due to eye problems and my so-called friends who assured me they would be here for me if we moved back to my hometown did not keep their word. So I enjoy affection from the chickens, cats, dog and rabbits.

ETA: All of my animals trust me and food does not have to be involved. I've always been an animal person just like my dad and my son.