The General Poultry Chat Forum

Egg Laying

What is the best breed of hen that lays big eggs and over all best layer

Damian
Tuesday, June 12th, 2012

i think the blackrock is the best layer.i keep about 50-60 of them and there a good hardy hen. otherwise i would go for a pure light Sussex as they are very attractive.(Sussex hybrid are a excellent layer too but not as attractive as light Sussex pure)

jack p
Tuesday, June 12th, 2012

Hybrid layers would be a good choice, but generally are spent after about 3 years so you would need to replace about 1/3 of your flock each year with new pullets to maintain production.
Of the purebreeds, leghorns minorcas and anconas are good layers of white eggs, our leghorns lay large eggs.
For brown eggs you could choose sussex, marans, wyandotte, australorp, or rhode island red, but choose a utility strain if you want high numbers because the exhibition strains generally lay fewer than they should. Be sure to ask the breeder about the size and numbers of eggs his birds lay if it is important to you.

Susan Mc
Tuesday, June 12th, 2012