Chicken Breeds

[AZ Prepper]

We've started to experiment with various breeds of chickens to see how their egg production does, their temperament, etc.

Right now we have (many of which haven't started laying yet, but will in the next month):

• Rhode Island Reds
• Buff Orpingtons
• White Leghorns
• Barred Rocks
• Australorps

What do you currently have and what have you decided you like the most and why? Share your experiences and knowledge with us!

[AZ Prepper]

These are images of what we've got for reference (I didn't take these pics)...

Rhode Island Red


Buff Orpington


White Leghorn


Barred Rock


Australorp

[Sgt Prepper]

We've been raising chickens for a few years now. In our flocks, I have found that the white rocks layed the longest, the red star's laid most often and barred rocks laid best in cold weather. We are going to put on a party for all three breeds and see if we can't get some mixing going on

[Rizzo]

We have Aracaunas, a couple white Leghorns, Rhode Island Reds, Barred Rocks, and a bunch of mixes of all those. I once had a Cochin that I loved...she was a great brooder and a good little mommy. The Rhode Island Red Roosters get pretty big as far as meat is concerned. Our Aracaunas and Barreds are pretty good layers....but right now we're lucky if we get one egg a day....and in a flock of like 50, thats becoming a concern.

If anyone has any suggestions, I'm game. We don't know if thats because its been pretty cold at night lately or what. We're used to getting 6-7 eggs a day during the winter and we're actually running out of eggs! lol

[Sgt Prepper]

Do you keep a light on them at night? Light exposure actually has a lot more to do with egg production than cold weather. In winter it is usally the short days that effect production. Just a flourescent light that gives the birds about 18 hours of total light (adjust how long the light is on compared to how long your days are) should help.

Also be sure and increase feed amounts during cold weather. I almost double what I feed my birds during really cold Idaho weather.

[AZ Prepper]

I haven't had to use the light this winter. A few of mine have used the time to molt, which is good for the chicken and future egg production. Unfortunately, they stop laying during that time. And from what I have read, if they don't get a good molt in, their egg production is hindered (I don't know if that's true or not). But I did install a light, just no timer yet to utilize the light.

Corn in their feed also helps keep them warmer. So in the winter, corn is good. But in the summer, especially in Arizona, corn can heat them up too much. So I increase their scratch in the winter and decrease it in the summer (I generally mix 50/50 scratch and lay crumble).

[Rizzo]

Do you keep a light on them at night? Light exposure actually has a lot more to do with egg production than cold weather. In winter it is usally the short days that effect production. Just a flourescent light that gives the birds about 18 hours of total light (adjust how long the light is on compared to how long your days are) should help.

Also be sure and increase feed amounts during cold weather. I almost double what I feed my birds during really cold Idaho weather.

This may be the problem! We have all our lights on our brooders right now. I"m going to try this...thanks!!