What is best laying hens

[chickenboy]

Hey eveybody I have 5 rhode island reds that lay very well. I'm currentlyin the process of building a new coop and I plan to get more layings hens. They have to be able to live in colder weather because I live in Maine and it can get cold sometimes. So if you could drop me some breeds that would be great.

 

[bmarshall61]

Sex Links (Black or Red)(Brown Eggs)
Astralorps (Brown Eggs)


These two are hard to beat for egg production

 

[silkiechicken]

I agree, those are good hens and lay they will.

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

Quote:
Interesting... I always just expected that leghorn were the best layers.

 

[CarriBrown]

Quote:
Interesting... I always just expected that leghorn were the best layers.

Me too!!

 

[chickenboy]

I thought that leghorns aren't suitable for colder climates like Maine. Thanks for the info

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

oh sorry... missed that part about colder weather. so, BTW, if temp. isn't a factor aren't leghorns the best layers?

 

[chickenboy]

I'd say leghorns are the best layers if they can live in their warm climate

 

[speckledhen]

Barred Rocks are very good layers and suited for cold weather. There are other chicken breeds that do well in the frigid temps, but they dont lay quite as well as a rule. Buff Orps are great for the cold, but they can go broody sometimes. Brahmas are fantastic in cold weather, but they lay a bit fewer eggs than the others mentioned.

 

[bigzio]

chickenboy, My experience with Light Brahmas as laying hens is that they are exceptional layers. They are a heavy breed and slow to develop. I feed my hens very well and with 2 year old hens I got 12 extra large brown eggs from 14 hens today. That is as good as it gets and for cold hearty and great temperment, hands down the Light Brahmas are the only breed for me.

bigzio