Choosing the Right Chicken Variety
In the Midwest, shows for poultry are gaining popularity, and one of the main attractions is the egg-laying chickens. For those considering raising chickens for eggs, here's a guide to some of the top breeds for egg production.
The Leghorn, Cinnamon Queen, Australorp, Rhode Island Red, and Austra White are renowned for their high egg-laying capacity. Leghorns, famous for consistently laying 320 to 364 white eggs per year, are lightweight and active, thriving in freerange environments but not particularly cuddly.
The Cinnamon Queen, a hybrid breed, is favored for laying 280–320 large brown eggs annually. They have a sweet temperament, start laying as early as 16 weeks, and maintain steady production for several years.
The Australorp, known for its record-breaking laying ability, typically produces 250–300 light brown eggs per year. They are hardy, calm, and adapt well to colder climates or urban settings.
The Rhode Island Red, though specific production numbers are less highlighted, is popular for its reliable large brown egg laying. The Austra White is a productive breed noted for good egg output, included among the best layers for backyard flocks.
Other notable breeds include the Isa Brown (producing about 300–320 eggs per year), Black Star (laying around 300 brown eggs annually), and Amberlink (laying up to 320 eggs a year).
When selecting a breed of chicken, it's important to consider one's needs for the flock. Egg colors vary between breeds and include white, various shades of brown, blue, and green. Each breed of chicken has general temperament tendencies, but individual bird behavior can be unpredictable.
It's also crucial to consider the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) when purchasing chickens. This programme, developed to eradicate major poultry diseases, is followed by some hatcheries in Ohio, such as Eagle Nest Poultry, Meyer Hatchery, Mt. Healthy Hatchery, and Ridgway Hatchery.
Chickens that are bred solely for meat production are generally poor egg layers because these birds are faster growing. To buy only pullets (females), chicks must be sexed. Hybrid birds, also called sex-linked, tend to be good dual-purpose, but hybrid birds cannot reproduce.
Hens usually lay one egg every 26 hours, but there may be days when a hen will not lay an egg at all. Good livestock care practices will result in fryers (young chickens) at approximately seven weeks weighing 4 to 6 pounds, reaching roasting stage of 6 to 10 pounds in eight to 12 weeks.
In summary, for maximizing egg production, the Leghorn, Cinnamon Queen, Australorp, Rhode Island Red, and Austra White stand out as top choices, with hybrids like Isa Brown also offering excellent performance for backyard and small-scale flocks.
- Although chickens mainly used for meat production are not good egg layers, some hybrid breeds like the Isa Brown, offer excellent performance for home-and-garden lifestyle, making them suitable choices for backyard flocks.
- To maintain a consistent egg-laying lifestyle, one may consider breeds like the Leghorn, Cinnamon Queen, Australorp, Rhode Island Red, or Austra White, which are renowned for their high egg-laying capacity and adapt well to various agriculture and livestock settings.
