Best laying hens -
Many people are raising laying hens with the aim of obtaining eggs from the
chicken. Laying hens produce eggs, which is a rich source of protein. The eggs
can be consumed by or sold and the money invested or used to purchase something
else. When the hens cannot lay eggs any more, they can be slaughtered and
eaten.
Eggs also have various health benefits. They contain
vitamins, proteins, essential fats and carbohydrates, plus other important
nutrients. Eating eggs, moderately, reduces the risk of developing
cardiovascular diseases and other diseases and conditions.
When buying best laying hens for their eggs, you should note
that not all hens are the same. Some lay eggs that are bigger than those by
others, some lay as low as 250 in a year and others as much as 300 in a year,
some lay brown eggs while others lays white, some eat more than others, etc.
When raising hens, you should therefore know exactly what you want.
Top 5 Best laying Hens Recomendation
Rhode Island Red
This best laying hens
is my favorite layer. They lay medium size brown eggs with an above average
laying rate. Being both cold and heat hardy, Rhode Island Reds are good for any
climate. They are easy to care for, adapting well to a penned or free-range
environment. Reds are a more aggressive breed so be careful what breeds you
place them with. These chickens are a good, dual-purpose breed and are well
known for both egg production and meat. If you want a do everything breed, the
Rhode Island Red is the one to pick.
Leghorn
The best laying hens available, these chickens lay
extra-large white eggs, producing over 300 a year. Even with their smaller
size, they make a good dual-purpose chicken; using them for meat, once their
laying production declines. If you want a meatier chicken go with the Plymouth
Rock. Their egg production is lower but they are a large chicken, with an
average weight of 10 pounds. While I prefer brown eggs, I always include a few
Leghorns for their terrific laying rates.
Buff Orpington
This best laying hens has an above average production
of large brown eggs. Their friendly nature and cold weather hardiness makes
them an excellent beginner chicken. If
you plan to raise chicks, the Orpington is a good brooder and makes an
excellent mother. They also make good pets and I wouldn’t have a flock without
one or two Orpingtons. However, because of their docile nature, they are picked
on so they don’t do well with aggressive breeds.
Black Star
This best laying hens are above average layers of large
brown eggs and begin laying around five months. They are a hardy breed and easy
to raise. These hybrid chickens are a cross between Barred Rock hens and Rhode
Island Red roosters. The chicks are easily color sexed, meaning you identify
males and females by their color. The males are black while females have gold
plumage on their neck and breast. The Black Star is another good beginner breed
with a calm nature making them good pets.
Ameraucana
Also known as Easter Eggers, these best laying hens lay eggs in various shades of blue,
blue-green, green and cream. These easy
to handle birds lay medium size eggs, are winter hardy and have average to
above average egg production. Ameracuanas adapt well to confinement or free
range and are calm and non-aggressive making them a good family chicken. Your
kids will love collecting the colorful eggs.
Try various breeds for your backyard flock. If you want both
meat and best laying hens, I recommend including dual-purpose chickens like the
Leghorn, and meat chickens like the Plymouth Rock. A flock of three to four
hens gives a family of four an adequate amount of eggs but, I always have a
flock of ten, usually more.