Best egg layer?

[Anonymous]

We're trying to decide what sort of chickens we should keep. My partner is keen on chickens that are reliable layers of decent sized eggs, I on the other hand am quite smitten with the bantams but I understand these dont lay such big eggs.

Can anyone recommend some breeds for us?

Thanks, Ria

 

[Davidd]

Hi, it all depends on what you like and want- every breed is different- some are more placid than others, some very flighty, some great layers and some not so- you need to look at different breeds and decide what you like. Then you can do some research and ask questions on those particular breeds- it all down to personnal choice really Sorry if that sounds negative!
regards, David

 

[girlracer265]

brown leghorn bantams lay a pretty decent size egg for a bantam, if your heart is set on bantams, but my most regular layer is probably my cuckoo maran large fowl. who lay a large dark brown egg

 

[Anonymous]

I like the look of the light sussex and the orps, is it true that orps are quite docile? Personality will definitely need to be considered as we have young children.

Wheres the best place to research on breeds? I've googled the few that I know but I cant seem to find anything detailed on a variety of breeds.

 

[pebojuno]

Hi, I have both orpingtons and sussex and they are docile and friendly breeds- Mine are lovely with my children (I'd be more wary with a cockerel though!) The more time you spend with any breed the more friendly they become. The only downside for me with the orps is their size- mine don't fit into standard sized nest boxes and they take up a lot of space! The Sussex are smaller and just as nice - Both lay good sized eggs. If you're not looking to breed you could always go for a couple of each

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks.

We went to see some Orps today and I was amazed at their size, especially the cock! They were beautiful though so I think we will be heading in that direction, no one seems to have a bad word to say about them.

 

[Anonymous]

I keep Orps and yes, they are stunning and very docile - you can just walk right up to them and pick them up. Just one thing to keep an eye on though, the cockerels are notoriously, err, 'busy' so if you don't have a good ratio of hens to cock they will have very bald backs! I just had to separate my girls to a pen as they had flesh wounds where the spurs dug in (you can buy poultry saddles for them though)

Why don'y you mix & match? Few orps & a few banties? Look up Appenzeller Spitzhauben, funkiest chicken you'll ever see, bit flighty for kids, but my hen was a brilliant daily layer of a decent sized china white egg.

Good luck!

 

[Anonymous]

We'll just be having hens,no cocks, the neighbours would have a fit! :lol:

I'm definately going to get a pair of banties and a pair of orps, just gotta find someone local enough who does both.