Which breed

[GarthRyan]

Black Australorps are very nice to people and produce eggs quite well.

 

[Phoenixxx]

Are you looking for mass production over a short period or a good layer that will lay for most of her life? My best layer is my black australorp/americauna cross; she lays large green eggs with white speckles, doesn't need added light in the winter and takes a day off every ten to fourteen days! That's better than my best red sex link did! My other best layer was a pure black australorp, same rate of lay, but she got killed the other day. Next in line is my chantecler/americauna cross. She makes me large turquoise eggs. Over winter she lays 2-3 days, then a day off; when she first started laying, it was five days on and one day off. Both these girls are extremely friendly, VERY clever and excellent fliers!

I started my flock with 1-2 year-old red sex links only to be VERY disappointed! I did not do my research, and the most I ever got out of 16 hens was 8 eggs in one day. At the end of my first winter with them, I had only 2 that resumed laying in the spring. If you want long-term layers, I've read that the only way to go are the heritage breeds. (I've completely switched my flock over, as you can see in my signature!) The world record holder is the black australorp and I've read posts by some byc-ers who have these girls still laying at 8 years old!

 

[TaylorEggMan]

My Amerecaunas aren't prolific layers, but there is something to be said about their temperment. They are very sweet. They also handle extreme temperatures well. My RIRs are solid layers and very docile. Leghorns are great layers but they can be a bit skidish. Never had sex-links but I gather that they are amazing layers that lay year round.

 

[Phoenixxx]

My Amerecaunas aren't prolific layers, but there is something to be said about their temperment. They are very sweet. They also handle extreme temperatures well. My RIRs are solid layers and very docile. Leghorns are great layers but they can be a bit skidish. Never had sex-links but I gather that they are amazing layers that lay year round.

Not mine. I had to give my rsl's supplemental light over winter and even then, production was extremely poor. I'm extremely happy with my americauna crosses. Not only are they great layers plus all the other things I already said about them, but they are my hardiest birds. I've had some develop coughs and whatnot over the course of this awful winter but the EEs just don't seem to get sick! I wonder if them being born and raised naturally on a homestead farm has something to do with it... Anyway, I love these two girls so much I'm gonna breed them, they are the best chickens ever! (Even my husband says so, and he's hardcore for barred rocks and araucanas!)