Which breeds have you had good egg production from?

[SueT]

I'm fairly new to the chicken scene, just three years in, and I'm still learning A LOT, so I'm sure this will sound like a silly question, but how do you dust the skittish ones that you can't catch for mites/lice?

If I need to pick up a chicken, I usually pluck them off the roost early morning for the least disturbance. But I think I could scoop one up during the day, they aren't afraid of me. They wouldn't like it, but they would tolerate it.

 

[Minky]

Thank you for your reply! Did you find that the Leghorns are skittish, unfriendly, etc...???
How many eggs are you getting per week? Thanks!

Yes, leghorns are skittish and unfriendly. will peck you HARD if you go under them to grab eggs. I have found by year 2 it drops to 2 eggs a week. but biggies!

 

[Minky]

I average 70 eggs a week. I sell eggs by the dozen that weigh at least 24oz. (The weight of store bought large dozen eggs). I’m actually making a profit at this point. You need to consider feed to egg ratio. WL are egg laying machines but they don’t eat much. Other breeds eat A LOT with fewer eggs so the feed cost goes up. Just because I have those breeds doesn’t mean that is the best way to go. I’m looking to get rid of the SS and find another breed that will lay large light brown eggs like the Golden Comets. I’m about to have three coops going, one white layers, one speckled brown/dark brown layers and the last for the colored layers.

Thats about what I get (70 a week) and selling them covers all my feed costs for chickens and a herd of 9 goats, all year. Its great to have a hobby that pays for itself.
Although I have 21 hens, so I was hoping to get more like 100 eggs from them.... I think you have to keep your flock young. that is the key.
I will sell all my 2 yr and 3 yr olds this summer/fall.

 

[LittleRedCoopLady]

Thats about what I get (70 a week) and selling them covers all my feed costs for chickens and a herd of 9 goats, all year. Its great to have a hobby that pays for itself.
Although I have 21 hens, so I was hoping to get more like 100 eggs from them.... I think you have to keep your flock young. that is the key.
I will sell all my 2 yr and 3 yr olds this summer/fall.
[/QUOTE
Thanks! That's great advice! What breeds do you have? And do you mind me asking how much do you charge per dozen? The going rate where I live is $3-$4/doz.

 

[LoneOak]

I have 23 Golden Comets and average 20 to 21 eggs a day for the last 6 months. They are all real docile and gather around my feet when I go to the coop. I could pick up any one I want, they even hop up on their roost poles while I'm gathering eggs and act like they want to be rub and petted. This is the most productive flock I have had in 20 years of raising birds.
I would have a flock of 24 but the coon got one back last fall before I was able to take care of the coon.

 

[lifein1840]

I'm fairly new to the chicken scene, just three years in, and I'm still learning A LOT, so I'm sure this will sound like a silly question, but how do you dust the skittish ones that you can't catch for mites/lice?

I treat and clip wings at night so they are easier to handle. I hope you are enjoying raising chickens! I can't imagine ever not having them, they keep me sane.....well, they try.

 

[lifein1840]

I average 70 eggs a week. I sell eggs by the dozen that weigh at least 24oz. (The weight of store bought large dozen eggs). I’m actually making a profit at this point. You need to consider feed to egg ratio. WL are egg laying machines but they don’t eat much. Other breeds eat A LOT with fewer eggs so the feed cost goes up. Just because I have those breeds doesn’t mean that is the best way to go. I’m looking to get rid of the SS and find another breed that will lay large light brown eggs like the Golden Comets. I’m about to have three coops going, one white layers, one speckled brown/dark brown layers and the last for the colored layers.

You can't go wrong with black Australorps!

 

[sciencegrrrrl]

I have 3 Barred Rock and 3 Silver-laced Wyandottes that are 2 years old and most lay every day. My 1 remaining ISA has had so many health problems from laying huge eggs daily for her first couple of years that she doesn't lay often any more. I also have a Buff Orph that is pretty regular at 4-5 a week. Surprisingly, both my top hat Polish are good layers, but with the cloudy weather we've had for the last 2 weeks and their top knots they have slowed down a lot! ISAs are great producers but it takes a toll on their bodies

 

[Cturber]

White Rock
mine have been laying a large egg daily Each.

 

[Mtnboomer]

I raise brahmas and get 3-4 eggs a day from 8 hens in the winter and 7-8 eggs a day now through summer. Very docile. Large so eat more feed though