[Ag-eq] Choosing Hens

Wed Nov 7 17:35:50 UTC 2012

Susan:

Isn't there another breed that lay the really dark brown eggs?

I thought I read about one, but will have to look for the information again.

Like you, I don't like paying to much for my hens.

Nella
Quoting Susan Roe <dogwoodfarm at verizon.net>:

> Nella,
>
> I am seriously thinking about the Americana and Aricana hens that lay the
> colored eggs, but I'm not sure of the egg size.  I believe they lay medium
> to large eggs.  All of my hens lay verrying shades of brown eggs because
> that is all my customers want.  LOL  There is a breed called Welsamer that
> lays chocolate brown eggs.  I'd like to try them out, but they are
> classified as rare here in the U.S., but plentiful in the Netherlands area.
> For a trio, two adult hens and one adult rooster, they have been selling for
> $75.00.  I don't think so!
>
> Susan
> dogwoodfarm at verizon.net
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <nfoster at extremezone.com>
> To: "Agricultural and Equestrean Division List" <ag-eq at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, November 05, 2012 5:44 AM
> Subject: Re: [Ag-eq] Choosing Hens
>
>
> > Susan:
> >
> > Thanks for the information about the different breeds.  I really like my
> > Barred
> > Rocks; they are very gentle and good layers.  I will have to see about
> > getting
> > some of the Black Stars.
> >
> > Have you ever had any of the breeds that lay colored eggs?
> >
> > Do all of your hens lay brown eggs?
> >
> > I recently read about a breed called Mini Pearls or White Pearls; they are
> > small
> > white hens that lay white eggs.  They are suppose to handle the heat well
> > and be
> > good layers.  I can't remember what breeds are crossed to make them.
> >
> > There are so many breeds of chickens that sound like they would be fun to
> > have,
> > that I have to control myself or I would have to many!  My property is in
> > the
> > city limits, so I can only have up to 18.
> >
> > Nella
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Quoting Susan Roe <dogwoodfarm at verizon.net>:
> >
> >> Hi Nella,
> >
> >>
> >> I have not tried the Red Stars before, but maybe you should try the Black
> > `> Stars because they are smaller than the Red Stars.  Below is the write
> > ups
> >> that comes from Eden Farms where I get my chickens.
> >>
> >> I already have the following hens from them:
> >> Barred Rock
> >> Buff Orpington
> >> 1 loan Black Australorp
> >>
> >> Barred Rock
> >> Barred Rocks are a hardy American breed with a striking black & white
> >> feather pattern. They are good layers of light brown eggs, and will
> >> occasionally decide
> >> to "set" (hatch) their eggs. The hens have bold personalities and tend to
> >> rule the roost. Males are sometimes aggressive but very beautiful, with
> >> more
> >> white in their feather patterns than the females. Quite bright and
> >> adventuresome, Barred Rocks make excellent foragers and are one of our
> >> favorite breeds.
> >>
> >> Buff Orpington
> >> A calm, laid-back English breed that loves hatching eggs and taking care
> >> of
> >> the chicks. Hens are a soft golden color and lay large, light brown eggs.
> >> Roosters
> >> are a brilliant, shiny gold with flowing tails and lovely crowing voices,
> >> and are almost never aggressive. If a sweet, live-and-let-live
> >> temperament
> >> is
> >> important to you, this breed tops the list!
> >>
> >> Red Star
> >> This is a hybrid breed, with Rhode Island Red and White Leghorn
> >> parentage.
> >> Hens are light auburn in color, with some white or gold highlights. They
> >> are
> >> excellent layers of big brown eggs, and have friendly temperaments.
> >> Roosters
> >> are mostly white, with a dark red "saddle" mark on their backs. Because
> >> they
> >> are hybrids, a male and female Red Star will not hatch Red Star chicks,
> >> so
> >> most people choose this breed strictly for their exceptional egg-laying
> >> ability.
> >>
> >>  Ameraucana
> >> Often called the "Easter Egg Chicken", because these attractive hens lay
> >> eggs in pastel shades of blue, green, and olive. The eggs are darker
> >> colored
> >> when
> >> the hens first start laying, and lighten gradually as the birds age. The
> >> yolk and white are normal color and taste just like other eggs, although
> >> some
> >> of our customers say they can tell a difference. The birds themselves
> >> come
> >> in a beautiful array of patterns and colors, including solid white, but
> >> their
> >> legs and feet are always olive green or blue. Most Ameraucanas have muffy
> >> little beards that make them look like Muppets. Ameraucanas do not
> >> typically
> >> hatch their eggs, but there are exceptions. These chickens are lots of
> >> fun
> >> for kids, and perfect for anyone who wants something different.
> >>
> >> Black Star
> >> This is a hybrid breed, with Rhode Island Red and Barred Rock parentage.
> >> Their color can range from completely black to varying degrees of a
> >> pretty
> >> golden
> >> lace pattern (up to approximately half gold), with a beautiful
> >> green/purple
> >> iridescence on the darker feathers. They are curious, people-oriented
> >> chickens
> >> and excellent layers of big brown eggs, but do not usually decide to
> >> incubate their eggs and hatch chicks. Black Stars are one of the smallest
> >> breeds listed
> >> here, although they are considerably larger than bantams. Because they
> >> are
> >> hybrids, a Black Star hen and rooster will not produce Black Star chicks.
> >>
> >> Rhode Island Red
> >> A well-known American heritage breed that is one of our most popular
> >> types.
> >> These calm, full-size hens are good layers of big, brown eggs. The hens
> >> are
> >> not known for being good setters or mothers, but there are occasional
> >> exceptions. Rhode Island Red roosters are a dark, shiny mahogany color
> >> with
> >> a beautiful
> >> green iridescence on their tails. Unfortunately, many males of this breed
> >> have aggressive tendencies.
> >>
> >> Blue Marans
> >> This French breed is relatively new to America, and is still quite rare.
> >> Marans lay eggs that vary from very dark brown to lighter brown with dark
> >> brown
> >> speckles, and belong to a class of poultry known as the "Chocolate
> >> Eggers".
> >> The eggs are the darkest in color when the hens have first started laying
> >> (around
> >> the age of 6 to 7 months), and gradually lighten in color until the birds
> >> take a short break from laying. When the eggs resume, they will again be
> >> a
> >> very
> >> dark color. The varieties we have are blue, which is a lovely smoky gray,
> >> and Blue Splash, which is white with flecks of bluish gray. Hens are
> >> quiet,
> >> well-mannered,
> >> and make very good setters. Marans are a large breed; hens weigh 6 to 7
> >> pounds, and roosters top out at 9 to 10 pounds. Due to their extreme
> >> size,
> >> Maran
> >> roosters (although gentle and mild-mannered) should not be kept with
> >> smaller
> >> breeds of hens. Because of their rarity in Virginia, as well as our
> >> limited
> >> supply, Marans cost about twice as much as most of the other breeds of
> >> chickens we have for sale, but for the collector or serious hobbyist, a
> >> couple of
> >> these stately hens are a fun and beautiful addition to the flock.
> >>
> >>
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