Laying hens are found in many courtyards of villages and villages. They are quite unpretentious and delight their owners with homemade eggs for almost a whole year.
However, before you get yourself such a bird, you need to find out which breed of chickens is the most egg-producing for home breeding.
To obtain food eggs, you should choose representatives of the egg direction. The peculiarity of such chickens is their small size, light bones, and most importantly, large and frequent eggs.
In our rating there are also representatives of the meat and egg direction, since they also have high egg production. The list is presented in alphabetical order with the main characteristics of each breed.
IMPORTANT: the peak of egg production occurs in the first 1-3 years of life, after which this figure gradually decreases.
PS. The article describes 10 purebred breeds and 2 crosses (Dominant and Loman Brown) - take this into account, dear readers.
Australorp
These chickens were bred in Australia, where they were very popular in the early and mid-19th century and were found on almost all farms. Black Orpingtons were used as the basis for their production.
Characteristic:
- Egg production (per year): 180-220 pcs. (55-65 g).
- Testicle color: brown.
- Laying hen weight: 2.8 kg.
- When they start laying eggs: 120-150 days.
Chickens have a high egg production. The color is black, in the sun it casts green. Blue and white/gray Australorps are also found. The comb is leaf-shaped, the earlobes are bright red. The bird rushes even in winter, but for this it needs additional lighting.
Beginning of the laying hen breeding season
To quickly obtain eggs, chickens should be started at the age of 3.5 to 5 months. It is most convenient to do this in early spring until the end of May. In this case, the peak of chicken productivity will occur in the warm season. This will eliminate the need for additional lighting and heating, reducing the cost of the resulting products.
Farmers and households rarely start raising young animals in winter. Therefore, they do not have stock that will reach maturity in the spring. Small chickens are very sensitive to temperature, and providing conditions is the main criterion when growing. On a small farm, it is unprofitable to heat premises for a small number of chickens, and their mass breeding begins only in the spring.
Poultry farmers who do not want to buy rather expensive grown-up livestock can purchase day-old chicks. In order for them to reach maturity in time for spring, they need to be purchased well in advance in early or mid-winter. In this case, poultry farms come to the rescue, selling chickens constantly, regardless of the season.
- In the Voronezh region, the Aleynikovsky Rossosh hatchery operates, which sells many types of poultry, including laying hens and chicks. Business address? Voronezh region, Rossosh, Ukrainian farmstead, st. Kolkhoznaya, 21 a. Sales department phone number +7 (47396) 79 2 98. Aleynikovsky incubator Rossosh has its own website https://alenikovskij.ru.
- In the Krasnodar region, laying hens from a poultry farm and day-old chicks are sold by the Bryukhovetsky incubator. Manufacturer's address ? Krasnodar region, Bryukhovetsky district, Bryukhovetskaya village, st. Proletarskaya, 312. Bryukhovetsky incubator has its own website https://bruptica.ru, where you can see the schedule according to which sales are made. Company phone number +7 (86156) 33481, 3-16-16.
- In the Republic of Bashkortostan, these products are sold by the Ashkadar poultry farm, which is also known as Sterlitamak. Manufacturer's address ? Sterlitamak district, Sterlitamak, Raevsky tract 18. Telephone.
Ameraucana
The breed was created in 1976 by the American Poultry Association. To obtain them, tailless representatives of the Araucana breed were crossed with local egg-laying chickens. The result is a productive layer that produces blue eggs.
Peculiarities:
- Egg production (per year): 210-260 pcs. (60-65 g).
- Testicle color: blue.
- Laying hen weight: 2.6 kg.
- When they start laying eggs: 180-240 days.
A characteristic feature of the Ameraucana is the presence of sideburns and a goatee. The comb has the appearance of a pod; in chickens it is almost invisible. The tail is well feathered, unlike the related Araucana breed. Colors may vary.
INTERESTING! The color of the egg shell is necessarily blue. If it is pink, beige or white, the chickens are not Ameraucanas.
Redbrough
Despite the fact that Redbro chickens are a dual-purpose bird (meat-egg breeding breed), they are quite productive laying hens. As for weight gain, by the age of 6 months of its life, a Redbro chicken can weigh about 5-6 kg. However, it is worth noting that it is quite difficult to purchase chickens of this breed, since on the market they can pass off other, less promising breeds as Redbro, which, after growing up, will only disappoint the owner.
Productivity: A young Redbro hen can be expected to produce about 170 eggs per year. As they grow older, productivity increases to 300, after which it begins to gradually decline.
Color: The feather color of representatives of this breed is red, which sometimes turns into red-brown. Birds with white plumage may occur, but this is quite rare.
Personality: This is a very calm, peaceful chicken that gets along with other breeds. Redbros love freedom very much, so cage keeping is not suitable for them.
Amrox
The breed was developed in 1848 from Barred Rock chickens in America (Massachusetts). To obtain it, striped Plymouth rocks were used. Amroks are an autosex breed, since chickens can be distinguished by sex on the first day due to a characteristic spot on the head.
Characteristic:
- Egg production (per year): 190-210 pcs. (55-65 g).
- Testicle color: light brown.
- Laying hen weight: 2.4 kg.
- When they start laying eggs: 180-240 days.
The breed is universal. Chickens lay eggs well at home, but the eggs are not very large. Amroks are unpretentious to weather conditions and tolerate cold well. The color is striped black and gray. The leaf-shaped comb is bright red.
Content specifics
On farms, egg-laying chickens are usually kept on semi-free range. When organizing courtyards and enclosures, it is necessary to take into account the fact that representatives of such breeds are distinguished by the “grace” of their constitution and fly well. Therefore, the fencing of the walking area is made high. The house in which the birds live may not be heated (not every summer resident has the opportunity to build a heated chicken coop), but care must be taken to ensure that the birds are protected from dampness and drafts. The room is equipped with lamps, standard feeders and drinkers, as well as nests (one nest for 5-6 hens) and perches. It is important that there is always a flat container with clean ash in the chicken coop: birds love to “bathe” in it, getting rid of external parasites. Owners of dachas and village farmsteads rarely keep laying hens in cages. For such farms, the optimal option is considered to be a floor-based housing option using deep, permanent bedding based on peat, sawdust, shavings, hay or other similar materials.
When equipping a poultry house, many owners independently make the necessary devices from scrap materials (in the photo - nests from plastic buckets)
The diet of adult egg hens usually consists of whole or crushed grains, wet mash and greens. In the summer, poultry on farms are fed twice a day, since most of the day they are out for a walk. In winter, laying hens should receive food 3-4 times a day, preferably at the same time. In the cold season, the diet is supplemented with fresh vegetables (chopped carrots, pumpkin, zucchini, cabbage leaves), dried herbs (alfalfa, nettle, etc.), sprouted grains and ready-made vitamin and mineral supplements. It is very important to ensure that the feed contains a sufficient amount of animal protein, since its deficiency negatively affects the quality of the eggs.
Throughout the year, chickens are given chalk, crushed shell rock or bone meal: they contain calcium necessary for the formation of eggshells
Hamburg
An ancient breed that originates in Holland, but it was recognized in the German city of Hamburg. Local chickens were used to obtain it. They are often kept as ornamental, but at the same time they show good egg production.
Peculiarities:
- Egg production (per year): 175-250 pcs. (45-55 g).
- Testicle color: white.
- Laying hen weight: 1.8 kg.
- When they start laying eggs: 120-150 days.
Small chickens with an attractive appearance. They need a large enclosure with a closed top, as they fly well. The colors are divided into two groups: speckled (golden, flesh to tan, silver and lemon with black speckles) and edged (golden and silver).
INTERESTING! There are also black and white chickens. The comb is pink, the lobes are white.
Other Features
Pay attention to the general activity of the chicken. If she is cheerful, constantly busy with something, and active, this is a very good sign. Lethargy in chickens is often a sign of illness, and when combined with pale combs, it indicates the presence of chicken mites, which cause anemia and inflammation of the brain.
Among chickens, there is also such a thing as “intersex,” when one individual combines the characteristics of both sexes. This may result in spurs and a rooster-like head with an enlarged ridge. You should not choose such a chicken, because such characteristics are the result of inbreeding and it will not be able to act as a laying hen.
After purchasing, it is better to make sure that the chickens are vaccinated, especially against Salmonellosis. If not, please contact your veterinarian. In this way, you will ensure a long life for your pets and protect yourself and your loved ones.
Dominant
Numerous crosses bred in the Czech Republic. Includes several varieties of chickens that differ in color, egg shell color and direction of productivity.
Characteristic:
- Egg production (per year): 280-320 pcs. (60-70 g).
- Color of testicles: brown in different shades, cream, blue, green.
- Laying hen weight: 2 kg.
- When they start laying eggs: 120-150 days.
Farmers more often keep grey-speckled, black, blue and silver dominants on their farms. Dominant hens begin to lay eggs early and the eggs are large. The peculiarity of the cross is its demands on the composition of the feed mixture. With a lack of protein and calcium, egg production decreases.
IMPORTANT: when breeding, the egg production of young animals will be much lower, since this is a typical cross.
At what age do laying hens start laying eggs?
Laying hens begin laying eggs during puberty. It depends on:
- Bird breeds. From young individuals of egg breeds (Hisex White, Loman Brown) you can get the first eggs after 4.5 months, meat-egg breeds - after six months, meat - after 8 months.
- Conditions of detention. It is necessary to provide more free space in the chicken coop (the optimal housing area is 4-5 birds / m2) and daily walking. The duration of daylight should be at least 13 hours.
- Complete feeding. The diet should contain greens, vegetables and mineral supplements. This will ensure that eggs are laid without delay.
Important! The egg formation process lasts 22-25 hours with proper care. The presence of a rooster (in a ratio of 1:10) is only necessary for hatching chickens from eggs. Helpful advice! Every autumn it is necessary to cull the herd so that in winter, during periods of low productivity, you do not spend extra money on feeding unpromising individuals.
Helpful advice! Every autumn it is necessary to cull the herd so that in winter, during the period of low productivity, you do not spend extra money on feeding unpromising individuals.
Laying hen performance
Many people are interested in the question, how many eggs can a chicken lay per day? One hen, if well maintained, produces one egg daily. In winter, fertility decreases. Some individuals lay eggs every other day, others a couple of times a week. This is influenced by the natural biorhythms of the bird.
The first year in the life of a laying hen is the most productive; already in the second year of keeping, egg production decreases by 15-20%, subsequently even more. In this regard, chickens are kept in households for no more than 3 years (in poultry farms - 1 year).
The idea of raising laying hens is characterized by high productivity and liquidity. After all, you can sell not only eggs, but also meat and fluff. The main advantages of the business idea: production of always in demand products with high demand, minimal investment to start a business, high potential for rapid development from a household to an entire farm.
Zagorskaya salmon
A domestic breed that was bred in 1955 at the Zagorsk Poultry Institute. It contains the blood of Yurlovsky vocal and Russian white chickens. Representatives of the New Hampshire and Rhode Island breeds were also used.
Peculiarities:
- Egg production (per year): 190-210 pcs. (65-75 g).
- Testicle color: creamy brown.
- Laying hen weight: 2.5 kg.
- When they start laying eggs: 150-160 days.
A bird with a calm character that gets along well with other animals. Unpretentious to diet and ambient temperature. The color of the chickens is light beige, the feathers on the tail and wings are darker. The comb is leaf-shaped.
What to look for when buying laying hens
Experienced farmers know how to choose the right laying hens simply by inspecting them. They advise paying attention to the condition of the plumage, cloaca, paws and beak, and examining the belly and comb of the birds. In their opinion, it is better to buy pullets rather than small chicks, because the chicks need to be provided with good care. Part of the brood may die before reaching two weeks of age.
Grown chickens tolerate transportation better
Newly born birds do not tolerate transportation well and are sensitive to temperature fluctuations and stress. Considering these factors, it is better to buy chickens older than 1 month or sexually mature individuals at the age of 18–20 weeks. When choosing a bird, you need to evaluate its appearance and behavior.
Plumage
The first thing poultry farmers pay attention to is the plumage. If the chicken is healthy, its feathers are clean, smooth and shiny. In sick individuals, the feathers look untidy - they are ruffled, dirty, stuck together, sticking out in different directions. There should be no bald spots on the bird's body - their presence indicates infection with skin parasites or vitamin deficiency.
Beak and paws
Examining a bird's beak and paws can also tell a lot about it. So, your legs should be straight and set wide apart. It is important to examine the scales on the paws. If they do not fit tightly, the chicken is probably infected with knemidocoptic mange, it is better to refrain from purchasing. You should not choose birds with crooked toes.
The beak must have the correct shape and full length. Adult laying hens with high productivity have a lighter beak color. The same applies to the shade of the metatarsus and the iris of the eyes.
Crest
Laying hens are not selected based on comb size, since this part of the body can be large or small in different breeds. However, according to experienced poultry farmers, the color of the comb and its structure can be used to determine how productive the bird will be.
The bright comb of a laying hen
In hens that have almost exhausted their egg potential, the comb turns pale and becomes flabby. In pullets, this part of the body is a rich scarlet color, warm, soft and elastic to the touch.
Cloaca
When buying egg-laying chickens, you need to inspect the cloaca. Dirty, matted feathers at the back indicate problems with digestion or the presence of an intestinal infection. There is no need to buy such a bird - not only will it not produce good eggs, but it will also infect other inhabitants of the chicken coop.
Belly and keel
Egg-laying chickens have thin bones and a rounded belly. It is soft on palpation. It is important to feel the keel as well. It should be even - its deformation indicates the development of rickets. When buying chicken, farmers pay attention to the distance between the pubic bones. In promising laying hens, it is 2–3 fingers of an adult, which is approximately 2.5–4 cm. An equally important parameter is the distance between the end of the keel and the pubic bones. In good laying hens it is 4 fingers, or 6 cm.
Bird behavior
A healthy chicken is active. When nothing bothers the birds, they run around, explore every corner of the yard, look for something in the grass, and cackle. If the bird is depressed and looks sleepy, it is most likely sick. A chicken sits ruffled with her eyes closed when she feels bad.
Kuchin anniversary
The breed was obtained by Soviet breeders. It was officially recognized in 1990. To breed it, the best representatives of the Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island, Liven and New Hampshire breeds were used.
Characteristic:
- Egg production (per year): 210-260 pcs. (50-65 g).
- Testicular color: red-brown.
- Laying hen weight: 2.8 kg.
- When they start laying eggs: 180-200 days.
A strong, hardy and unpretentious bird. Young animals adapt well to different living conditions. In winter, laying hens continue to produce eggs even at temperatures around +5 degrees. Golden calico color of varying saturation. Leaf-shaped scallop.
Expert advice
Not only the correct choice of laying hens affects their performance, but also the correct maintenance after purchase. First of all, it is worth remembering that for chickens, changing their environment is stressful, and this greatly affects their egg production.
Until the hen gets used to the new chicken coop and the surrounding environment, she will not lay eggs. This period can last about a month. To reduce it, experts advise giving succinic and ascorbic acid.
Changing feed is also stressful for chickens. To avoid this, it is advisable to feed the birds the same compound feed (or regular feed) for the first few days as before, gradually increasing the proportion of the new one.
Leghorn
The homeland of these chickens is Italy. They gained popularity in the 19th century. The best breeders took part in the breeding, and each of them contributed to the development of the breed. They are actively used to produce highly productive chicken crosses.
Peculiarities:
- Egg production (per year): 260-300 pcs. (55-60 g).
- Testicle color: white.
- Laying hen weight: 1.75 kg.
- When they start laying eggs: 120-150 days.
A small but very productive bird. Laying hens produce about 300 eggs per year and begin to lay eggs by 4-5 months. Leghorns are active and restless chickens. The standard includes two colors: white and brown.
INTERESTING! A characteristic feature of the breed is a large leaf-shaped comb hanging on its side.
How to maintain high egg production
Even if you purchased laying hens, this does not mean that they will consistently lay a lot of eggs.
There are a number of factors that can affect the performance of a particular breed. In particular, these are the bird’s diet, its age and access to daylight. These factors play a vital role in chicken productivity.
Age
Alas, the older the bird, the fewer eggs it lays. And this factor cannot be changed in any way. In the first year of its life, the bird is the most productive. Once a bird reaches the 3-year mark, its productivity rapidly declines.
If your hen laid 250 eggs in the first year, by the third year she will only lay 160 eggs. There's nothing you can do about it.
Nutrition
Chickens need about 20 grams of protein every day for consistent egg production. If their diet does not provide them with the proper amount of protein, then productivity is significantly reduced. Therefore, it is necessary to provide the bird with the proper amount of protein.
Loman Brown
This cross was obtained by German breeders in 1970. Information about the breeds that were used to produce these chickens is still kept secret. On the first day, chickens differ in gender (cockerels are light, and hens are darker).
Characteristic:
- Egg production (per year): 310-320 pcs. (60-65 g).
- Testicle color: light brown.
- Laying hen weight: 1.8 kg.
- When they start laying eggs: 120-150 days.
One of the most popular chickens. However, they have a peculiarity - productivity drops sharply after 2 years of life. At home, it is impossible to obtain young animals with the same egg production rates. The color is brownish-red, the tail has a lighter shade.
Barnevelder
Barnevelder are chickens from the Netherlands. This breed is primarily known for its "glossy" plumage.
Breed of chickens "Barnevelder"
Productivity: Juvenile Barnevelders are capable of laying up to 200 eggs per year. They can be small or medium in size with a light brown speckled color.
Color: Barnevelders are mostly black and brown.
Character: Representatives of this breed are very fond of free yards for walking. Like Ancona, they often fly over fences and run away. Therefore, when keeping Barnevelder, it is necessary to monitor the length of their wings.
Pushkinskaya
The breed was obtained in the city of Pushkin, from where it took its name. It was approved only in 2008. There are two lines of this breed: selection from St. Petersburg and Sergiev Posad. They differ in color and appearance.
Peculiarities:
- Egg production (per year): 210-260 pcs. (70-75 g).
- Testicle color: white.
- Laying hen weight: 2.5 kg.
- When they start laying eggs: 120-150 days.
Pushkin chickens are the most suitable breed for private households. They are unpretentious and begin to lay eggs early. The egg is very large, weighing about 70-75 grams. Chickens are unpretentious to air temperature and diet.
IMPORTANT! The color of laying hens bred in St. Petersburg is variegated, black and white, with a pink comb. Chickens obtained in Sergiev Posad are darker, gray-black, with a leaf-shaped comb.
Ancona
The Ancona is a small chicken native to Italy. However, today in Italy this breed is not as widespread as in America or England. This is a freedom-loving chicken, which will find it very difficult to live within 4 walls. Therefore, when keeping this breed, it is necessary to arrange a spacious yard.
Breed of chickens "Ancona"
Productivity: Young representatives of Ancona lay up to 200 eggs per year. They are very small and white in color.
Color: The color of the Ankola is somewhat reminiscent of the Plymouthrock. They also have dark plumage, which is covered with white patches.
Personality: The Ancona is a very difficult breed to care for. This is one of the most timid representatives of chickens, constantly trying to escape from their owner. Because of this, you will have to regularly trim your wings, otherwise the chickens will simply run away to freedom.
Russian white
In the first half of the 19th century, breeders began crossing Leghorns with various outbred chickens. After obtaining the first productive hybrids, they were bred “inside”. As a result of further work, Russian white chickens were obtained.
Characteristic:
- Egg production (per year): 200-235 pcs. (55-60 g).
- Testicle color: white.
- Laying hen weight: 1.75 kg.
- When they start laying eggs: 150-180 days.
A small bird whose weight does not exceed 1.8 kg. Chickens are unpretentious, but very active and need a lot of walking. The color must be snow-white. The comb is large and red, hanging slightly to the side (the breed adopted this feature from Leghorns).
Getting used to the house
At first, the chickens will not produce eggs. Moving and leaving their usual environment causes them stress. A sign of stress in chickens is frequent head twitching. Succinic acid in tablets and ascorbic acid tablets will help your poultry become calmer and get used to a new place.
Vitamin C is given for 3-4 days, 4-6 tablets per chicken. Succinic acid is added to birds' drink - ? tablets for 10 chickens. Unusual eating habits can also cause stress. When purchasing, you should ask the seller what the chickens were fed. The transition to other foods should be done gradually.
Chickens need care. Create comfortable conditions for their life, and the result will not be long in coming. Raising chickens is profitable and exciting, and the right choice and careful care of them is the key to success.
Sussex
An English breed that was developed at the beginning of the 19th century. It was obtained by crossing representatives of the Brahma, Dorking and other breeds with outbred chickens. As a result of constant selection work, the egg production of Sussex laying hens has improved.
Peculiarities:
- Egg production (per year): 150-200 pcs. (55-65 g).
- Testicle color: yellow-brown.
- Laying hen weight: 2.8 kg.
- When they start laying eggs: 180-240 days.
The chickens are medium sized, friendly and calm. They get along well with other birds and are prone to incubation. The color is white, there is a characteristic rim of black feathers on the neck. The tail is dark. The scallop is red, leaf-shaped.
There are many breeds of chickens, but not all of them have high egg production. To keep on a private farm and obtain a large amount of eggs, it is better to choose a calm and peaceful bird of the egg type, unpretentious to the conditions of detention and diet.
Note: a well-designed menu is the key to high egg production of chickens.
When is the best time to buy
Chickens can be purchased as early as April, if a room with heating and bedding is prepared for this. But the fact is that it is very difficult to determine from day-old young animals whether in the future they will turn out to be laying hens with high egg production. In addition, it is no secret that when buying chickens on the market, you can get not future laying hens, but roosters. True, knowing some subtleties, you can figure it out using good lighting, and this can be a powerful (100-150 W) lamp with a reflector. The chicken's cloaca is examined and the genital tubercle is identified. This can be done as early as 15 hours after hatching. Males have a tubercle at the bottom of the cloaca, but females do not. But even having determined that this is a future chicken, no one can guarantee its performance in advance. Therefore, it is necessary to purchase grown-up livestock. It is better to do this in early autumn, since the main features of a good layer will already be visible. When selecting birds to replace old ones, preference is given to young birds bred in early spring. For egg-type chickens, future laying hens should be about 5 months old.
Whether laying hens need a rooster can be found in this article.
