Brown hybrid girls

[valeriebutterley]

Can someone please tell me the differences between Warrens, Lohmanns, Isa browns, etc.
My only experience with brown girls is with Warrens. I was admiring with my granddaughters yesterday, some lovely calm growers, brown, and asked how much the Warrens were. He said they were Isa browns, not Warrens. So now I am intrigued about the differences. Any help, please, anybody?

 

[Marigold]

They are all types of commercially-bred layers, basically intended for intensive production, and genuine ones come with the equivalent of a 'trade-mark' to show they're from a licensed breeder from original stock. However, as with all hybrids, eg Black Rocks, many are on the market from breeders who have just crossed the breeds which are involved in creating any particular hybrid, without using the original licensed breeding stock, ie hens selected through several generations for intensive egg production. This may in fact be quite a good thing in a domestic setup, as the hens concerned may not be quite such hot layers but may go on longer as a result.

For ISAs, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISA_Brown.

For Lohmanns, see http://www.hastavuk.com.tr/en/kitapciklar_en/0/brown.pdf

 

[E3lx]

Agree with Marigold

 

[Chuck]

Yes they are 'brand' names for birds which are believed to be of similar breeding but developed by different companies. Some are sold under different names although they are bred from the same parent stock. Warrens were the original hybrids of this type which appeared back in the 1960's. They were highly successful and took the poultry world by storm due to the increased egg production and low tendency to broody. At that time, most of the commercial and back yard chicken were RIR x Light Sussex, first cross hybrids which had no name. So successful were the Warrens that the name stuck even after similat types said to be an improvement on the original Warrens came along with different names. Within 10 years, 90% of chickens in commercial and home use were Warrens. A very versatile chicken capable of laying well in cages and free range.
We don't know what the exact formula of the make up of the hybrids but all the browns are at least half Utilty Rhode Island Red crossed with a white breed (though not Leghorn or the eggs would not be so brown). It's also thought they are sex linked and therefore the pullets can be easily identified at d/o by colour of their down. More reliable and cheaper than vent sexing.
You sometimes see hatching eggs advertised from these hybrids but as only pullets are sold, it's hard to see how they can even be thought to be Warrens/Lohmans/ISA's. It's not possible to identify one brand from another visually.

 

[valeriebutterley]

Many thanks fellow contributors,
My original girls are Warrens, bought from a farm dealer who specialises in them. I have to say the Isas were lovely, with creamy white ruffs, tails and wing feathers, very calm, upright, and neat.
If anybody is interested they are at Rokers, my neck of the woods, near Guildford. Regards all, Valerie.