What are the best laying hen breeds?

After having set up a small chicken coop, one often wonders which breed of hen should you choose to have good eggs. It is true that there are chickens of colors. Some are said to be ornament, other layingers. So, what are the best breeds of laying hens to choose to have quality and quantity eggs?

1. Sussex hen

The Sussex hen is a much appreciated breed for its good laying and robustness. It lays about 250 to 280 eggs per year , medium to large, cream of cream. In addition, the Sussex hen is docile and easily adapts to all types of climates, making it an excellent option for outdoor farms.

2. The Marans hen

The Marans hen is famous for its shell eggs in a beautiful chocolate color. This rustic breed lays about 150 to 200 eggs per year . Although it lay less than other breeds, its eggs are often more popular for their quality and taste. Many people also appreciate the Marans hen for its ability to continue to lay even in winter, while other breeds slow their production.

3. The red hen (Rhode Island Red)

The red hen, also known as Rhode Island Red, is a very popular laying hen breed. It produces between 250 and 300 eggs per year , medium to large, brown in color. This hen is renowned for its rusticity and ease of breeding, which makes it ideal for beginners in poultry farming.

4. The Leghorn hen

The Leghorn hen is a real champion of the laying, which can produce between 280 and 320 eggs per year . Its eggs are white, of medium to large size. Very active and vigilant, this breed is suitable for permapots wishing to maximize their production of eggs. However, it is a little more independent and less sociable than other breeds.

5. The hen brahma

The Brahma hen is an impressive breed by its imposing size and its spectacular plumage. Despite its stature, it is a correct layer with approximately 150 to 200 eggs per year , cream and medium -sized color. Its sweetness and calm temperament make it an interesting choice for permapots looking for an ornamental and productive race.

Good to know: the laying decreases with time

It is important to note that the laying of the hens follows a natural cycle: they lay abundantly in the first two years, then their production gradually decreases. A hen that laid 300 eggs per year The first year can see this figure fall to 200 to 250 the second year, then even less in the following years. This phenomenon is normal and also depends on living conditions (food, light, stress, health).

For the well being of the hens, I often advise you to buy two at a time. Whatever you think, the hens are sociable animals and there are a form of hierarchy in them. The hens already present in a chicken coop often needs to establish a certain dominance on new arrivals. Two, they have much easier to integrate than only!