Which of these breeds would you recommend?

[Bear4boo]

We are considering adding a couple of more chickens to our flock and are considering breeds that are consistent and great layers (good personality is a bonus). These are the ones we are considering:
-Barred Rock
-White Leghorn
-Isa Brown
-Golden Comet

Which would you recommend?

They would be joining a Rhode Island Red, Buff Orpington, Light Brahma, Wyandotte, Speckled Sussex & Black Australorp.

 

[nuthatched]

I'd avoid production breeds. Personality is up to the individual bird.

 

[Bear4boo]

I'd avoid production breeds. Personality is up to the individual bird.

Could you please explain what you mean by production breeds?

 

[BeetaLiK]

I would recommend barred rocks, they are great layers! we have a few.

 

[nuthatched]

Could you please explain what you mean by production breeds?

Ah, sorry.
Production breeds like Isa brown, comets/stars, gems, etc, breeds that aren't purebred but hatchery 'hybrids'. Those are bred to lay early and lay hard. The often are very prone to reproduction issues and rarely live past 3 years because of that. They're bred for egg farms, who cull them by their second winter. Its often better that they're culled, production issues aren't a good way to go. Not great birds for beginners or those who prefer longer living birds.
There's many pattern in Plymouth Rocks besides barred, I have Silver penciled and partridge, beautiful birds

 

[Cinnamon11]

My leghorn is the best layer I’ve ever had even at almost 3 she’s been laying through the winter almost daily! She’s very friendly as well and follows me around all the time, she is an escape artist!

 

[Percheron chick]

Could you please explain what you mean by production breeds?

The Isa brown and the golden comet. Excellent high production breeds that are spent (done laying) by 2-3.
I'm a fan of BR too and love the numbers a leghorn can produce but not a fan of white chickens. I had a brown leghorn produce past 8. I'm going with silver leghorn this year. Tons more good choices out there.

 

[Bear4boo]

Ah, sorry.
Production breeds like Isa brown, comets/stars, gems, etc, breeds that aren't purebred but hatchery 'hybrids'. Those are bred to lay early and lay hard. The often are very prone to reproduction issues and rarely live past 3 years because of that. They're bred for egg farms, who cull them by their second winter. Its often better that they're culled, production issues aren't a good way to go. Not great birds for beginners or those who prefer longer living birds.
There's many pattern in Plymouth Rocks besides barred, I have Silver penciled and partridge, beautiful birds

Thank you, this was very helpful.

 

[SilverBirds]

Could you please explain what you mean by production breeds?

Production breeds (also known as hybrid layers or Red Sex Links) are crosses that are bred to lay eggs in high quantities. Isa Browns and Golden Comets are both production breeds, and virtually the same thing. Different hatcheries have different crosses and names for their hybrid layers (Isa Browns, Golden Comets, Cinnamon Queens, Red Stars, etc.), but they are all almost the exact same thing.

I have owned all of these breeds. Personality wise, they were all very sweet. Leghorns are know for being flighty, which mine definitely was. The biggest problem people have with the Leghorn and hybrid layers is they lay so much that they burn out after a few years, and can suffer from laying issues. Mine never had these did though. I loved my BR. They are cold and heat hardy, good to other birds, and lay for a long time. My BR passed away last month (she was almost 8), and my Golden Comet is 8 and still kicking.

 

[Stellasmomma]

We are considering adding a couple of more chickens to our flock and are considering breeds that are consistent and great layers (good personality is a bonus). These are the ones we are considering:
-Barred Rock
-White Leghorn
-Isa Brown
-Golden Comet

Which would you recommend?

They would be joining a Rhode Island Red, Buff Orpington, Light Brahma, Wyandotte, Speckled Sussex & Black Australorp.

I'm partial to my Barred Rock and another to consider is Speckled Sussex both of these have been great layers and have fantastic personalities I have found the Sussex to be a really friendly birds as well