what breed is best?

Cecisflock said:

I think that is good advice. Great to see another collie person too!

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Windrider said:

My avatar is actually a Sheltie, though I have also had collies. Sticking with Shelties now that I am serious about agility, since my collie didn't like it but for the Shelties it is their favorite thing in the world.

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MysteryChicken said:

I always go for the less productive breeds, & have a good amount of hens. They lay alot longer. I have an 7-8 year old Mille Fleur D'uccle hen that still lays eggs. Just not now since it's winter.

I have 35 laying hens, of various breeds, & mixes.(No Production Hybrids)

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Windrider said:

You've got good info from others here, but let me put the info in a more succinct format. You've got a choice:

1. Go with Production breeds (Leghorn, Production Red) or Hybrids (RSL, BSL, any of the Sexlinks, etc). You will get a great many eggs for a year or maybe two, but will need to renew the flock whole or partially after then to keep egg production up.

2. Go with "Heritage" breeds or non-production breeds. You'll get less eggs yearly from the same number of chickens as above, but they will lay reasonably well for a great many more years.

3. Go with a mix of both. Many people who want a good number of eggs consistently regularly rotate in new chickens every season and cull the oldest ones, so they always have a mix of of ages at their most productive.

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booklover said:

thanks! but I'm leaning more towards less hens and more production for less time

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BleuSaphir said:

I haven’t had problems with RIR/Production Reds.

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pepe1 said:

I have 21 Golden comets that started laying at 18 to 21 weeks old, they laid large eggs right away and are now laying X large to Jumbo with Double yolkers sometimes, i was getting 19 to 21 eggs daily and now at 20 months 15 to 20 every day, If you want a lot of good size eggs go with Golden Comets

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booklover said:

I am looking for the hybrids or birds that lay more for a year than consistent laying, since I am going to be marrying soon and don't want the birds but for a year or so, plus I don't want as many.

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