If it was decided to raise chickens for the sake of obtaining a large number of eggs, then you need to choose the laying hens - the egg direction. The article discusses the most egg-laying breeds of chickens, their quantitative egg productivity, as well as a comparison of breeds by productivity.
Comparison table of egg production of all described breeds in this article:
Breed | The number of eggs per year | Egg mass | Shell color |
Leggorn | 370 pieces | up to 62 g | white brown |
Loman Brown | 320 pieces | up to 63 g | brown |
Dominant | 320 pieces | up to 65 g | brown white |
White Russian | 230-240 pieces (sometimes 300) | 55-56 g | white |
Tetra | 300 pieces | 65 g | brown |
Minorca | up to 200 pieces | 75-80 g | white |
Hamburg | 380-400 pieces | 50 g | white |
Pushkinskaya striped and motley | 220-290 pieces | 60 g | white, slightly yellowish |
Kuchinsky anniversary | 300 pieces | 60 g | cream |
Highsex White | 280 pieces | 63 g | white brown |
High line | 240-340 pieces | 60-65 g | snow-white |
Shaver | 250 pieces | 52-60 g | white brown |
Rhode Island | 200 pieces | 58-60 g | brown |
Sussex | 170 pieces | 58 g | tan |
Adler silver | 180-250 pieces | 60 g | light brown |
Oryol | 135-155 pieces | 60 g | beige |
Rhodonite | 300 pieces | 60 g | dark brown |
Isa Brown | 320-340 pieces | 63 g | brown |
Russian crested | 180-200 pieces | 56-60 g | cream |
Leggorn
Leghorn chickens were bred in the 19th century. Until now, animals are considered one of the best. Almost all modern egg-bearing breeds were obtained by crossing Leghorn with other types of chickens. Layers of Leggorn show egg laying records. During the year they give about 370 eggs weighing 60-62 ha. The maximum mass of eggs brought by this breed is 454 ha; it contained 9 yolks.
Already at the age of 17-20 weeks, the Leggors begin to lay their eggs, and they rush under comfortable conditions all year. White chickens carry white eggs, motley - brown. The average weight of a layer is 1.5-1.7 kg, and a rooster is up to 2.5 kilos. Chicken survival is up to 92%.
Leghorn Features:
- They can not be kept outside the factories - the birds can not withstand extraneous noise, prone to noise hysteria. Under the influence of noise, animals can begin to beat against the wall of the chicken coop, rush to the fence, injure themselves, and cause harm to neighbors.
- The Leghorn have reduced immunity, they are susceptible to many diseases.
- Birds have a proud bearing. They are small but tall. The case is triangular, the scallop and earrings are bright red in color, in hens the crest hangs on its side, in roosters it sticks out. At a young age, the birds have earrings and a crest of a light pink hue. The back is slightly concave in the middle, the chest protrudes forward.
- Birds are very mobile and active. They are called "light", because rarely when animals sit still.
White Leggors are considered more common - they quickly acclimatize. Variegated layers are less common, not so quickly getting used to new conditions, but bringing brown eggs - they are more in demand among consumers. In total, more than 40 species of color varieties were recorded in this breed.
Loman Brown
If the breeder cannot decide what breed of chickens to plant in his farm - Loman Brown is what you need. Chicken is able to adapt to a new climate in a short period of time, withstand frosty temperatures without problems. Even the lobes, crest, and legs of a bird that do not have plumage cannot defrost.
Oviposition begins already at 25-27 weeks. One laying hen brings in a year up to 320 brown eggs weighing up to 63 g. The shell is strong. Broken Brown - strong and viable birds, it is beneficial to engage in their breeding.
Loman Brown is considered a bird with a calm and balanced character, it does not create a lot of noise. But the animal has rather large dimensions - this is not pure breed, but mixed, capable of supplying the owner not only with eggs, but also with meat.
The bird has a powerful, rounded chest and slightly arched back. The tail is large, outstanding. It has a strong, massive beak. The color of the pen is white or brown. The weight of the chicken can reach up to 2 kg.
Dominant
These are crosses bred by Czech breeders. Popular for breeding by inexperienced breeders. Birds are considered not only good laying hens giving large eggs, but also animals with a high survival rate under adverse conditions. Distinctive features of the dominant are aesthetic appearance, high egg production, unpretentiousness and increased resistance to diseases.
The largest eggs in the black Dominant, they have an excellent instinct for hatching. Sussex dominant brings up to 320 eggs per year, animals grow quickly and gain weight. The male of these crosses can weigh up to 3.2 kg. Dominants give eggs with a brown shell, sometimes white. The weight of one egg is up to 65 g.
Due to the dense plumage, dominants are able to tolerate cold well. They are kept in different conditions, but it is better when animals have free access to a range. Some European countries grow birds in ecological poultry farming. Dominants are not demanding on food, with a walk they can independently get their own food.
Dominants are not one cross from different breeds. They are distinguished by the color of plumage, beak, ridge shape, and other, usually external, characteristics. There are even birds with blue feathers. Puberty occurs at 5 months.
High productivity of chickens lasts up to three years, then egg production decreases.
White Russian
White Russian hens were obtained by crossing Leghorn and local Russian outbred birds. Work on improving the Leggorn and breeding the Russian breed lasted for 24 years, ended in 1953. Since then, Russian White is rightfully considered one of the best egg-bearing breeds.
Specifications:
- Brings up to 230-240 (sometimes up to 300) eggs per year.
- The mass of one egg is 55-56 g. The shell is white.
- The weight of the chicken is 1.6-1.7 kg, the rooster is 2-2.6 kg.
A distinctive feature of birds is a large, leaf-shaped, bright red crest with 5 teeth in adults. White Russian chicken is stress-resistant, resistant to cold and most chicken diseases. Birds are not aggressive towards relatives, balanced, and develop rapidly.
The breeding work yielded excellent results - a subspecies of “Russian Snow White” was obtained, part of her chickens, covered with white, not yellow fluff, at the age of 1 day. In addition, the subspecies tolerates the cold.
Tetra
Tetra is a universal breed of meat and egg. It was withdrawn by one of the Hungarian companies. Hens have virtually no differences from similar breeds. The body is well developed, rectangular, the head is small, the beak is solid, light yellow in color. It predominates with a long neck, medium-sized tail, and short, white-yellow legs.
A distinctive feature is the silky plumage of a red or brown color in hens, white in roosters. The wings of birds of medium size, tightly adjacent to the body.
The hens begin to rush at 16-20 weeks. Up to 300 brown eggs weighing up to 65 g are produced per year; high productivity of the breed is observed in the first year of life, and then decreases. The weight of the chicken at the age of 4.5 months reaches 1.6 kg.
Like all universal breeds, Tetra is famous for diet, delicious meat. Quickly gaining marketable weight - in just 4-5 months.
Minorca
Minors are birds recognizable in appearance. Chickens have large white earrings. There are several colors. The black Spanish variety is distinguished by black plumage with a green tint, but the earlobes do not change color. White minor was bred in Britain, it is easy to recognize it - by red eyes, pink claws and metatarsus. The completion of the image is a bright red comb. The bird looks quite aesthetically pleasing, although monochrome. In Russia, the breed appeared at the end of the 19th century. But today in the country, these layers are not very popular, and large farms keep several individuals solely to maintain the gene pool.
Scientists are interested in the fact that the breed is purebred, no extraneous lines were mixed into it.
Chickens are characterized by early maturity - in a year they give up to 200 large eggs with a white, smooth shell. Large eggs - 75-80 g. The weight of chickens reaches 2.8-3.5 kg, roosters - 3.4-4 kilograms.
Hamburg
The bird was bred in Germany by crossing chickens brought from other countries with local animals. The Hamburg chicken has a slender, elongated body of medium size, a long neck, and a raised chest - this gives it a proud look. The crest of the Hamburg chicken is pink, the earlobes are white.
Due to the fact that several breeds of chickens were used in breeding birds, their color is different. There are black, fawn, silver-striped, partridge, blue, golden-striped, spotted birds.
The weight of the laying hens is 1.5-2 kg, the roosters 2-2.5 kilos. For a year, one laying hen gives up to 380-400 white eggs weighing up to 50 g.
Pushkinskaya striped and motley
Pushkin chicken is a relatively new breed, bred by breeders from Russia in 2007. For this, the white males of the Leggorn breed and the black-mottled Australorp were crossed.
Birds have a trapezoidal and wide body. They have a long and vertical neck, a small head is located on it, a bright red crest stands out. There is a spike on the crest, originating from the back of the head and ending at the forehead. The Pushkin chickens have a flat back, an elongated head shape, an ivory beak. The eyes are orange. Extremities are gray. The plumage is striped-motley.
Broilers of this breed are much larger than other egg-laying birds. The mass of an adult female is up to 2 kilograms, and that of a male is up to 3 kg. Poultry eggs begin to lay in 5-6 months. In a year, a layer is capable of producing 220-290 eggs weighing up to 60 g. The color of eggs is from white to slightly yellowish, slightly creamy.
Pushkin chickens are calm in nature and unpretentious to the conditions of detention. In case of danger, the birds do not run away, but squat, trying their best to snuggle to the ground. Due to such features, they are very easy to catch at the bottom.
Kuchinsky anniversary
The Kuchin jubilee breed was bred back in the days of the USSR by Russian scientists. At that time, the best birds were used for crossbreeding, such as Leggorn, Plymouthrock, Oryol, New Hampshire, Australorpe. The Kuchins turned out to be strong, with a high ability to adapt to different conditions of detention. The survival rate of young animals is up to 95%.
Kuchin jubilee chickens are growing rapidly. They reach puberty by 5 months. Adult cocks weigh about 4 kg, chicken - up to 3 kg. For a year, one laying hen gives up to 300 cream eggs weighing up to 60 g.
Although the breed was able to be bred after repeated crosses, it does not degenerate. On the contrary, the distinguishing features from other laying hens is that the Kuchins have an excellent maternal instinct and sit on their own nests on their own. One female is able to raise up to 30 chicks. The color of Kuchin roosters is usually red with greenish-black tails. Chickens are characterized by colorful hues.
At a positive temperature in the chicken coop in winter, Kuchin's laying hens continue to lay eggs. Productivity does not decrease until 3 years.
Highsex White
Highsex White is a white bird, reaching up to 1.8 kilograms of weight. This is a mobile and active animal. This species of Hayseks breed has a slightly elongated body shape and snow-white plumage, occasionally with slight brown blotches at the ends. Chickens have a wide ridge and slightly heaped in one direction.
The puberty of birds occurs at 5 months. For a year, one laying hen gives up to 280 brown or white eggs weighing 63 g. A distinctive feature of eggs is the minimum cholesterol content. Often, laying hens lay eggs with two yolks.
Birds are demanding in their maintenance: they need the introduction of minerals into the feed. In addition, they should receive conditions and food that are close to what they love. Productivity indicators are particularly dependent on this.
High line
High Line is a relatively young cross, which managed to gain popularity in a short time around the world. This chicken is in demand not only among the owners of large factories, but also ordinary farmers. Today it is only positively commented on.
This is an egg-bearing breed of chickens that does not have significant shortcomings and special comments. It has a calm character, not demanding in care. Layers are characterized by increased resistance to diseases, are characterized by high hatchability of chickens - about 96%. All this indicates excellent profitability in breeding birds.
Characteristics of Egg Productivity:
- For a year, laying hens bring 240-340 eggs.
- The color of the shell is snow-white.
- Egg mass - 60-65 g.
Usually at the beginning of laying, the eggs are small, but after a few months the laying hens give large eggs suitable for incubation.
High Line chickens are small, by the age of 4 months they reach a weight of 1.3-1.5 kilos. Adults at the age of one and a half years have a mass of about 2.3 kg. Layers are very beautiful in appearance, slender, a large bright crest flaunts on their heads. Brown or white individuals are found. The bird has a small head, a strong yellowish beak, a thick neck of medium length, the body is elongated, the back is wide. The wings are well developed, tightly pressed to the body.
Shaver
Shaver - hens, a native of Holland, Hendrix Genetics Company specialists were engaged in their breeding. Breed - a hybrid having three varieties with the same "production" characteristics. But the distinguishing features are the color of the feathers. There are white, black and red Shavers.
The breed is also united by the fact that all individuals have white fluff, regardless of the color of the feathers. Shaver is a small bird, she has a soft curve of the back and a small tail. The wings and feather cover are firmly pressed to the body. On the head are earrings and a short comb. First, the skin of the paws is a bright yellow hue, with time acquires a bluish-gray color.
The weight of an adult chicken does not exceed 2 kilos. Puberty occurs at 4 months. For a year, a laying hen gives up to 250 eggs weighing from 52 to 60 g. White and black Shavers bring white eggs, red - eggs with brown shells.
Rhode island
Rhode Island chickens were bred as a result of successful breeding experiments, the breed is considered truly magnificent and original. The birds have a long, strong body, a sloping chest and a small head. Plumage of dark color with a shimmering green tint. The back of the bird is wide, indicating the egg laying of the breed. The bird is active, mobile, stands firmly on the powerful legs of a yellow tint.
A distinctive feature of this breed is its unusual color: the feather core is bright red in color, while the feather itself is brown. Each feather is dominated by a dark border.
Breed Productivity:
- A Rhode Island adult bird can weigh up to 2.5 kg.
- In the first year of life, the bird gives about 200 eggs.
- The weight of the eggs is 58-60 g, the color of the shell is brown.
The advantage of the breed is the golden gene, linked to the floor. Due to this feature, it is possible to obtain the so-called autosex chickens. At the age of 1 day, the farmer can distinguish chicks by gender. Chicken usually have a spot in the nape of the neck, and the fluff is brown in color, sometimes with small light spots. Small cockerels have white wings.
Layers have a good instinct for hatching. In general, the birds are unpretentious, they like to walk for free for a long time in search of food.
Sussex
Sussex is not only egg-laying, but also a meat breed, originally from England. When hatching, chickens Dokrikring, Orpington and other species were crossed. The bird has a small, round head, on it is a red leaf-shaped crest of medium size. Eyes and lobes of the same shade as the comb. The beak is light; its base is slightly darker. The bird itself has a slightly awkward appearance.She has a square torso, a thick and short neck, and a massive chest. Small wings and tail. Legs are short and thick, white.
The average weight of the chicken reaches up to 2.7 kg. Their egg production is not too high - for a year, a laying hen gives up to 170 eggs with a yellowish-brown shell. The weight of the eggs is up to 58 g. Sussex is an unpretentious bird that has good health by nature and does not require special conditions.
Sussex has a special, original color: the plumage is completely snow-white, black braid on the neck, black borders on the tips of the feathers. A feature of the breed is the silver gene linked to the floor. When crossing Sussex chickens with owners of the golden gene, for example, with Rhode Island birds, it will be possible to distinguish daily chicks by gender.
Adler silver
The Adler silver breed got its name in honor of the city where it was bred. The uniqueness of the bird lies in its excellent acclimatization in various weather conditions. The bird has a beautiful silver color, a dark edging of the wing. Chickens look neat, their neck is low, their eyes are dominated by a copper tint, their legs are bright yellow, their body is proportional.
The puberty of the animal occurs at 5 months, sometimes earlier. Already at the age of 1 year, a layer weighs up to 2.5 kg. Adler silver layer gives 180 to 250 eggs per year per year. Shell color - light brown, weight - up to 60 g.
On the head are red earlobes, a yellow beak. The birds have a round, small tail. The advantage of the bird is a calm disposition, friendliness. Most farmers speak positively about birds. Noting their flexible character.
Oryol
Oryol chicken was bred 200 years ago, since then it has been very popular in Russia. There is no exact data on the origin of the breed, but presumably ancestors consider females and cocks of the Iranian breed.
Oryol hens have a strong body constitution, well developed. Birds are unpretentious, adapt well to any climate. For a year, laying hens give 135-155 eggs with a beige shell, weighing up to 60 g. The live weight of birds is up to 2 kg.
Oryol chickens are unique domestic birds with original plumage. The birds have a small head, a small curved beak, a wide nape. The growth of layers is not less than 60 centimeters. In birds, muscles and skeleton are well developed. On a long neck magnificent plumage. A distinctive feature is amber or orange-red eyes. The color of the scallop is raspberry.
Rhodonite
Rhodonite is a breed of egg orientation. But many farmers also grow poultry for meat. Rhodonite reaches puberty by the fourth month. Over a year, laying hens give about 300 dark brown eggs weighing about 60 g. High egg production is observed in the first 1.5-2 years. The breed is light in weight; chickens reach 2 to 3 kilos in adulthood.
For breeding chickens Rhodonite used roosters Rhode Island and individuals Loman Brown. This facilitated the production of a species with characteristics transmitted from two species.
Rhodonite has a small head, a yellow beak with a stripe in the middle and large bright red catkins, a leaf-shaped crest. Light brown feathers fit tightly to the body. Birds are very mobile, active, non-aggressive and perfectly adapt to various weather conditions.
Birds are used not only for domestic, but also for industrial breeding. Birds are unpretentious and easily adapt to any conditions, due to which they are kept in an ordinary house without insulation of the perimeter. The breed tolerates temperature fluctuations, but in order to increase egg production in winter, the house should not be colder than +2 degrees.
Isa Brown
This is a young industrial cross of egg direction. Birds were bred in France. Outwardly, the bird is a typical laying hen. A miniature animal with a light skeleton and brown plumage. She has a small head and a comb. The key is beige and pink, legs are yellow.
Future layers are distinguished by a darker, brown plumage. This is a highly productive cross. They start racing in 4 months. Feathered Isa Brown are considered champions in their field. For a year they bring about 320-340 eggs. The shell is brown. The weight of one egg is up to 63 g. The average weight of hens is up to 1.9 kg.
Crosses have an unusually calm and accommodating disposition. They do not enter into fights, conflicts. Hens are mobile, need a comfortable walking area. Read more about chickens of this breed here.
Russian crested
The breed appeared at the end of the 19th century, was bred without the participation of professional breeders. The main contribution to the production and development of the breed was made by ordinary peasants. The incentive for breeding Russian Crested was initially the desire to get a hardy breed that would have high reproductive rates and bring a lot of eggs.
Crested bird is a universal breed that copes with the task of laying hens. It has an attractive appearance, due to which it attracts many farmers, because in addition to high rates, it pleases the eye with an unusual appearance. It got its name due to the presence of a magnificent crest. Chickens have a large body, a pronounced muscle topography. The back is broad, uplifted, the chest is round. The head is small. The shade of the beak is gray-yellow, the shape is elongated with a rounded end.
A distinctive feature is light brown or orange eyes. Some have a reddish tint. Chickens are presented in various options. There are black, silver, fawn, white, blue, brown and even multi-colored individuals.
Features of the breed:
- In adulthood, the weight of the bird reaches about 2.5 kg.
- They are neat. Birds like an active lifestyle, spacious walking.
- Some individuals are able to fly up to a height of one and a half meters. This must be taken into account when setting up a house.
- They can become very attached to people, they rush out to meet with a desire at the sight of the owner.
Puberty occurs in 5-6 months. Sometimes egg laying begins earlier or later than these indicators. For a year, a laying hen gives about 180-200 eggs weighing about 56-60 g. The eggshell is cream-colored.
There are a huge number of varieties of hens of egg direction. Many farmers, before starting breeding and raising animals, study their productivity, because it depends on this further profit and return on investment. Among the many breeds, it will always be possible to choose a bird that has only positive features.
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