Which is better? Isa Browns or Barred Rocks?

[Elliot123]

I have raised both of these breds and like them both, but I have an expanding egg demand at my school. I need a reliable bred that will produce brown eggs and a lot of them!!!

Thanks Elliot123

 

[BantamLover21]

I would choose the ISA Browns. ISA Browns are a type of Red Sex-link, which are the best brown egg layers of chickens. Many Red Sex-links will lay an egg every day, even through the winter.

 

[Elliot123]

Ok.. I will put that into consideration.

 

[cypressdrake]

The Isa Browns is a production breed and will out lay the Barred Rocks in the first 1 1/2 to 2 years years and then slack off, but still lay for several years, just not near as good. Production breeds peak in a shorter period then heritage breeds. The Barred Rocks being a heritage breed, will lay good for a about 2 1/2 to 3 years before they slack off, but may lay eggs for 5 or 6 years. It all depends on the breed. I have hens that are still laying eggs at 7. Not many, but an egg here and there. It all comes down to do you want your eggs all up front with a short laying cycle, or a heritage breed that won't burn out and lay eggs longer.

 

[Elliot123]

Or should I buy 10 isa's and 10 barred rocks?

 

[cypressdrake]

If it's lot's of eggs your after, the Isa Browns will be the better layer. If you want a reproducing heritage breed, the rocks will be a good choice. Their both good birds, just one is a heritage breed, and the other is a hybrid. Maybe study the difference between the two types, and do a search on them on this site. There is lots of good info on about every breed here on BYC.