Characteristics of egg-laying chicken breeds
Not everyone likes eggs from poultry farms, which are sold in supermarkets. This is understandable, because their taste, in comparison with home eggs, is worthless. Most often, when breeding chickens, poultry farmers focus on egg production: this is both a natural product on their table, and some kind of additional income. The pressing question is how to choose the right egg-laying chicken breeds, which of them are the best?
Egg breeds of chickens
In general about birds
Which branch of chickens is the most egg-laying, the most important question facing those who dream of not only eating delicious natural products, but also being able to earn some money from them. Novice farmers believe that any chicken is suitable for such purposes, but this is a misconception. All chicken breeds are divided into types according to their qualities and characteristics:
- egg;
- meat and egg;
- fighting;
- decorative.
The annual level of egg production of specially designed chickens is 300-350 pieces, while others will bring only 100. Specialists have been breeding and consolidating production data for decades, examining different breeds of chickens and comparing their egg production. Photos of hens with descriptions on the Internet are presented in a huge number, so that everyone can choose a hen for himself according to external data and production indicators. If your goal is to acquire a chicken herd to get a large number of eggs, you need to take a closer look at the representatives of egg breeds:
- such birds rarely weigh more than 2.5 kg;
- the instinct of incubation is practically absent in them, which makes it possible not to interrupt the egg-laying process;
- early ripening individuals;
- have an excellent appetite.
The oldest type of laying hens
Leghorn is the breed of the most egg-laying chicken, which no one has yet been able to get around. This species is the parent for all subsequent oviparous breeds. All of them are obtained by crossing Leghorns with other breeds. It is these chickens that are capable of laying the largest possible number of eggs per year - 371. The maximum weight of the product is 454 g.
The first clutch is observed already at 17-20 weeks of life. When creating the most comfortable conditions, the breed will be carried all year round. The breed of the most egg-laying chicken in terms of average annual indicators is second only to broken brownham and highsec... White representatives of the breed lay eggs with white shells, pestles are brown. Chickens are lightweight, on average, females weigh 1.5 kg, males - 2.5.
The chick survival rate is 92%. However, these birds have a behavior characteristic that does not allow them to be kept in large numbers in a private farm. They are subject to noise hysteria. Hearing a noise of unknown origin, the chicken begins to beat against the walls of the poultry house, injuring itself and other individuals. After such a seizure, Leghorns have a significant decrease in egg production.In addition, this breed does not have good immunity, therefore it is often infected with various infectious diseases.
The bird is distinguished by a proud posture. Chickens are small, but rather tall, with a triangular body. In females, the crest hangs to one side, and in males it stands straight. Initially, the combs with earrings are pinkish in color, and upon reaching puberty they become bright red. Birds are mobile and light. Representatives of the white color are more common, which are characterized by rapid acclimatization; individuals of other colors do not cope so quickly with getting used to a new place of residence.
Domestic representatives
The breed of chickens is the most egg-laying after the Leghorns - russian white... This species is a hybrid of the previous representative and outbred chickens. In terms of egg production, they practically do not lag behind Leghorns - 240 eggs per year on average, and sometimes even 300. In terms of weight, they practically do not differ from their progenitors. The scallop is large, leaf-shaped.
Unlike its ancestors, this breed is stress-resistant, non-aggressive. The main task of breeding work was to improve production qualities and improve immunity, which was quite successful. In the household, they are simply irreplaceable. This breed of chickens is especially well suited for beginners in poultry farming, because it does not require any specific skills to grow it.
Already from the name itself it is clear that the representatives of the species are snow-white. Their main difference is that the color of the plumage is even, without yellowness. Subsequently, as a result of selection, a subspecies of snow white was bred. In this subspecies, even in chickens on the first day, part of the cannon is white, not yellow.
Lohman Brown
German Broken Brown are among the leaders in terms of average egg production. The average statistic of laying hens is 300-320 eggs per year. Growing this breed is a very popular activity in the Russian Federation. Their advantage is also in the fact that already at the age of one day they can be distinguished by gender.
The production performance of the breed of egg-laying laying hens is very high. In addition, the egg has a rather weighty weight of 63g. The weight of sexually mature females is about 2 kg, males 3 kg. Chickens have a calm disposition. They perfectly adapt to a closed way of keeping. Sexual maturity is reached at 5.5 months.
Hisex
Other representatives with good egg production are highsex hens. Leghorns also became the progenitor of Dutch laying hens. At the moment, the breed is still not recognized as an autonomous, but is considered a hybrid of Leghorn.
There are two subspecies, according to the color of the plumage: highsex brown and highsex white. Brown is more productive. The average is 310-350 eggs per year. Representatives of the breed are quite popular due to their high resistance to parasites, fungi and infections, as well as unpretentiousness in the feed.
Minorca
You can admire the photos of the following eggs for a very long time. They are often turned on for aesthetic reasons, not just production data. These hens have black plumage, bright red comb and large white catkins. The breed is suitable only for breeding in a small household, because it is very demanding on the conditions of keeping.
In addition to high egg production up to 200 eggs per year, representatives of the breed have the most tender meat. The main indicator is the weight of eggs - up to 80g, which is simply gigantic by chicken standards. The disadvantages of the breed are that the chickens do not tolerate frosts very well, and also have a negative attitude to high humidity and get sick when they get under drafts.
Hamburg Chickens
Back in the 17th century, representatives of this breed were bred. The structure is elongated, the body size is average. They are distinguished by a long, beautiful neck. The ribcage is rounded, raised high, which makes the bird's posture proud.
Many breeds have participated in the selection of this species, so they can be presented in completely different colors. The weight of individuals is standard for egg-laying. Annual production figures - 400 eggs, weighing about 50 g. One of the world leaders in egg production.
Tetra SL
Tetra SL is a cross that is not so common in households, although it differs in the same egg production rates as all previous breeds - 300 eggs per year. With balanced feeding, they rush throughout the year, daily. Eggs are dark brown, weighing 65g. Sometimes a hybrid is considered a meat-egg hybrid, as individuals gain weight quickly enough. However, the mass is not too large, as in all egg breeds.
Already on the first day, young animals can be distinguished by gender. In females, the plumage color is fawn or dark brown, the body is knocked down, and the tail is short. The rooster at an early age has a gray or black color.
Breckel
High egg production is distinguished by the Belgian Breckel breed... They have good immunity, they are not whimsical in food. The only drawback is that the cellular method is not suitable for their maintenance.
In addition to high performance indicators, the breed also has decorative qualities. Their color is white with a silvery-black or golden-black overflow. Waves are painted on the feathers like a brush. The mass of birds reaches 2.7 kg. Annual egg production is 220 eggs.
High Line
They were withdrawn in the United States. Birds are distinguished by their unpretentiousness and strong immunity. The temper is calm, according to the color scheme, it can be presented in white and brown.
The standard weight for egg-laying is about 2 kg. They begin to lay eggs upon reaching 180 days. Annual productivity is 250-340 eggs. They are leaders among economically profitable breeds due to their minimal feed consumption.
Czech golden
This breed was brought to us in the seventies of the twentieth century. Representatives of the species are distinguished by their diminutiveness and unusual decorative color. The weight of the individuals is 1.5 kg. Birds reach sexual maturity at the age of 150 days.
Annual egg production rate 180 pcs. Testicle weight 53g, brown-cream color. The cellular method is not suitable for their maintenance. The birds are extremely active, therefore they need constant walking, otherwise their egg production will simply drop.
What are the criteria for choosing a chicken?
Many farmers are faced with the question, which breed of chickens is the most egg-laying? First of all, you need to decide for yourself for what purpose you will breed chickens:
- for the family;
- for family and close friends;
- for sale;
- to sell egg products.
Then you need to decide what area you are able to allocate for the chicken population. Next, you should take into account the features of the breed that you liked. On the Internet, you can view all egg-laying chicken breeds along with photos, descriptions and names. In addition, the relevant breeding and growing literature should be read.
What Experienced Farmers Say
All egg breeds in the household are profitable. When asked what breed of egg-laying hens to choose, the answers vary greatly: someone thinks that it is better to choose an egg-laying breed, while someone claims that there is no one better than crosses. Russian white chickens have proven themselves well in our area. They have shown themselves excellently in terms of egg-laying qualities, and they adapt well, and are not picky about care. Highsexes and representatives of the high-line breed have collected good reviews.
For the most part, it all depends on the weather conditions in the region, area and goals. The most important criterion in choosing a bird is economy, ease of care, endurance, good immunity and performance. It is worth considering the fact that some breeds simply will not be carried without a certain compound feed, which costs a pretty penny.This applies more often to foreign breeds, so it is better to initially buy not very expensive egg breeds by considering the description, and then experiment.