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I was amazed with all the different responses, I guess it all depends on the environment they live in and the personalities of the keepers. In order, this is how I would rate my chickens:
My experience has been that the best all around layer is the Black Australorps, they are very docile and quiet and are very hardy through cold and hot weather when it comes to egg production, they are excellent egg layers. Rhode Island's are a close runner up in my book with the excellent laying, they are calm, and hardy through hot and cold as well.
The Sex Links are also excellent egg producers, but I notice better egg production out of them in the colder weather over hotter weather. They have a quiet temperment, but very chatty when they lay those eggs.
The Barred Rocks are very good layers, docile and the most friendliest that I have in my flock, but seem to lay their best in the cold over the hotter months. Same with the Speckled Sussex.
My Delawares and White Plymouths hang out alot together, both are very good layers, they are calm, pleasant, docile. They are good for year round production of eggs, hot and cold weather.
The Buff Orpingtons are good layers, docile, quiet, and super affectionate. You can love on them for hours at a time. The only downfall with the Buffs, they tend to go broody all the time. Thats good if you want to hatch more chicks, but sucks if you like to eat eggs!
My Amerucana's or EE's, are pretty good layers, really active and friendly, and they do best in the colder months.
I was amazed with all the different responses, I guess it all depends on the environment they live in and the personalities of the keepers. In order, this is how I would rate my chickens:
My experience has been that the best all around layer is the Black Australorps, they are very docile and quiet and are very hardy through cold and hot weather when it comes to egg production, they are excellent egg layers. Rhode Island's are a close runner up in my book with the excellent laying, they are calm, and hardy through hot and cold as well.
The Sex Links are also excellent egg producers, but I notice better egg production out of them in the colder weather over hotter weather. They have a quiet temperment, but very chatty when they lay those eggs.
The Barred Rocks are very good layers, docile and the most friendliest that I have in my flock, but seem to lay their best in the cold over the hotter months. Same with the Speckled Sussex.
My Delawares and White Plymouths hang out alot together, both are very good layers, they are calm, pleasant, docile. They are good for year round production of eggs, hot and cold weather.
The Buff Orpingtons are good layers, docile, quiet, and super affectionate. You can love on them for hours at a time. The only downfall with the Buffs, they tend to go broody all the time. Thats good if you want to hatch more chicks, but sucks if you like to eat eggs!
My Amerucana's or EE's, are pretty good layers, really active and friendly, and they do best in the colder months.
