What do you think the best egg layers are??

[NancyDz]

Australorp are my best layers.. even in the heat in the summer. So your 4 month olds should start laying in a month.. that's when mine started at @ 5months.


Nancy

 

[cybercat]

Quote:
They are all a couple of years old and up until a few weeks ago I was getting a good amount of eggs. I haven't changed anything in their diet or anything. Maybe the heat is slowing them down, hopefully they will start laying more consistent.

OK you have a couple of things going on here. One you are dealing with older hens and two the heat. One alone would slow production both will really slow production. It is natural do not worry about it. As the weather cools they will pick up again. But since your hens are older it would be a good time to think of replacments.

Sexlinks and hybreds are great producers BUT they only produce for a short time. 2 to 3 years max and then they are burned out. Your RIR and leghorns will last a bit longer than that and the Barred rocks even longer than them.

For your hens now you could bump up protein to 20% for a short time and that might increase production and kick start them again. This helps alot of times just make sure there is enough oyster shell for them also.

 

[dixiedoodle09]

We have red sexed linked and black sexed link chickens they are excellent egg layers. Have several who are broody, but still get about 3 dozen eggs a day.

 

[jkm]

I have two gold comets, have ben laying like stars from the fall on, also friendly and easy to talk to.
we don't see comets much on the boards, as commercial cross breds, but I like my two, I have buffs, am giving away the gl wyadottes,,, too noisy and unable to pick up.

my good buffy gave me an egg a day until she died,,, just chciken death, comets are right there. great birds, small, eat alot lees than buffys!!
lots of eggs,
cheers

 

[Calebs Acre]

C'mon.....can't we vote for runner ducks? C'mon, puhleeze! My girls are so, so consistent! I had a 10 day rain, dark spell here and a couple of them slowed down, but as soon as the sun was back, they were back up and laying.....

You didn't SPECIFY chickens! LOL.

Actually, my buff orphington and my jersey giants have been excellent with very few breaks. I get 2-3 chicken eggs from them (there are two giants and one BO) every single day. I'm proud of them.

(Knock on wood)

 

[newchickmom]

One of my Black Australorps started laying at about 4 months and the rest all started within the next month.

 

[peakpoultry]

Quote:
Great thank you! I can't wait.

 

[peakpoultry]

Quote:
They are all a couple of years old and up until a few weeks ago I was getting a good amount of eggs. I haven't changed anything in their diet or anything. Maybe the heat is slowing them down, hopefully they will start laying more consistent.

OK you have a couple of things going on here. One you are dealing with older hens and two the heat. One alone would slow production both will really slow production. It is natural do not worry about it. As the weather cools they will pick up again. But since your hens are older it would be a good time to think of replacments.

Sexlinks and hybreds are great producers BUT they only produce for a short time. 2 to 3 years max and then they are burned out. Your RIR and leghorns will last a bit longer than that and the Barred rocks even longer than them.

For your hens now you could bump up protein to 20% for a short time and that might increase production and kick start them again. This helps alot of times just make sure there is enough oyster shell for them also.

I will get different food and see if that helps. I really should get some replacement hens. Just put them in a different pen and keep these ones as just pets.

Thanks for the info.

 

[granmahen]

I have RIR, NHR, Delaware, Australorp and Leghorn. Definitely my leghorn with australorp in a close second. How does such a big egg come from such a little hen?

 

[Ft Chix]

Road Island reds are good layers