Which breeds are less likely to become internal layers?

[rosemaryfromoregon]

I am planning on getting a couple of hens this spring. I am brand new to the chicken raising world but I've been doing lots of reading (most of it on this the BYC forum!). I am trying to decide which breed to start with and among other important considerations---temperament being the most important---I would like to do my best to avoid breeds that are more likely to become egg bound. From my reading I know the productions varieties are more likely to suffer from this problem, but I haven't been able to figure out if some breeds are more likely than others to become internal layers.

Any thoughts/suggestions/advice?

TIA.

Rosemary

 

[chickalator]

first of all

sorry cant help. i just do that when ever possible.

good luck though

 

[rosemaryfromoregon]

First, thanks for the welcome, Chickalator!


Second, I just realized I used the terms internal layer and egg bound as if they are interchangeable. I now realize I don't even know if they are the same thing or not. I guess I need to be schooled up on that, too.


Thanks again!

 

[silkiechicken]

Welcome! The risk is there for any bird who lays eggs for a living, but if you stay away from any that boast production abilities, you should be fine. The risk is still there for egg laying issues, but lower for breeds who aren't strongly selected for being able to lay early and strong. So staying a bit further from leghorns, production reds, sexlinks, and the like may help, but I wouldn't worry too much about it. The trade off is if you go for a less producing bird like a buff orp or cochin, is that you'll end up witha buch of broody birds and no eggs. LOL

If you're doing back yard spoiled birds, just restrain yourself from spoiling them too badily, as extra weight, aka fat can acumulate on the reproductive tracts of birds and lead to an increased rate of laying issues.

Good luck!!!

 

[speckledhen]

I dont think it's a breed thing, per se. I do think that hens who never break for a broody period or that continue to lay during their molts are more likely candidates for internal laying. Therefore, birds bred for high production and start laying quite young are most likely to become internal layers. Just my take on it. For instance, my hatchery RIRs started laying at 19 weeks. They never took a break, except 2 weeks each during molt. Now, two of my three are dead, from internal laying. I have three lovely breeder quality, show-potential, RIRs. One is laying and two are not. They are 30 weeks old, late starters. Since one just began laying last week, I cant say how well they produce yet, though the breeder said they were some of her best layers ever.