Laying hens are so named due to their ease in laying eggs, the most prolific ones come to lay an average of 1 egg per day, reaching a total of almost 300 eggs per year.
During their life they suffer a decrease in production, it is more noticeable when the hours of light are reduced in the winter period, in the spring period the production will return to normal. Light is the main element for the hens!
The life of the hens lasts on average between 5 and 11 years, but it depends a lot on different elements, such as; the power he is given, the lifestyle he leads and in what hen-house lives.
Another very important element is love, hens are animals too, they need love to be able to live happily and live long. They are extremely companion animals.
Laying hens exist of different breeds, with all their characteristics and differences, let's see them together.
The best known breeds
La Paduan laying hen, of Italian origin, it stands out from the others for its size and for its very evident tuft that covers the view in front of the eyes.
Known for their affection and the small size of their eggs, they lay up to 200 a year.
Another known Italian breed is the Livornese laying hen, originally from Tuscany taking its name from the city of Livorno. It is defined the laying hen of excellence and is among the best for egg production, producing about 300 eggs a year.
Also of Italian origin is also known Sicilian laying hen, it is among the oldest and is an excellent egg producer just like the Livornese. One of its features is the shape of its crown-shaped crest. The laying hen Black Valdarno she too Italian and is characterized by her lively character and her black plumage.
These are the main breeds of Italian origin, I also exist of foreign origin such as; There laying hen Marans and Australorp they are characterized by their brown color. Purebred layers are well known New Hampshire and Rhode Island both of American origin, excellent egg producer reaching up to 220 per year.
Any breed you choose must be able to live in an adequate chicken coop with all the useful space to be able to lay them, they exist chicken coops containing up to 25 hens, to adapt to all types of domestic breeding.
Recommendations
The main recommendations to be respected are;
- Cleaning, the hen house and the area outside the hen house must always be very clean!
- The position of the chicken coop, they must be positioned in a strategic area, that is, it must be a not very humid place and that in summer is in the shade and in winter in the sun;
- The feed must be of quality, this will guarantee your hen a long life and excellent eggs. It can also be made up of leftovers, but with caution you shouldn't overdo it.
- Last but not least, love must always exist towards hens, they are extremely sweet and companion animals.
Most productive breeds of laying hens
There are many breeds of laying hens suitable for a amateur breeding, but some are particularly productive and are better suited for this purpose. In general, when choosing a breed of laying hen for a hobby farm, it is important to evaluate the productivity and docility of the breed, as these factors will affect the management and care of the hens. Additionally, resistance to disease and weather is an important factor to consider as hens will be exposed to these factors in the environment.
Rhode Island Reds, for example, are one of the most common breeds in amateur herds. Their main feature is productivity, in fact they can produce up to 300 eggs a year. In addition, they are very disease resistant, have good cold tolerance and are quite tame which makes them easy to manage.
Plymouth Rocks are equally productive and easily adapt to living in cages or in the wild. Sussexes are another great choice.
Breeds of laying hens with colored eggs
If you want something a little more original, you can opt for some breeds of laying hens that produce eggs of different colors. The Marans, for example, produce eggs of a beautiful dark brown, with a firm shell to the touch and are highly appreciated by consumers. The Araucanas produce green or blue colored eggs, they are very particular and unique in their kind. They are also very disease and weather resistant, as well as being quite tame.
Croad Langshans, on the other hand, produce nice light brown eggs with a very strong shell. These hens have good cold tolerance and are also quite docile. They are also very productive and can produce up to 200 eggs a year.
However, it is important to note that these breeds are generally less productive than the breeds mentioned in the other paragraph. Also, they may be harder to find since they aren't as common as the others laying hens. However, if you are looking for something a little more original and want to have some colorful eggs, these breeds could be a good choice for you.
In general, it is important to underline the fact that by choosing the Razz correct, you will be able to have a constant supply of fresh eggs and you will certainly be able to have fun with your hens. However, it is also important to consider that the choice will depend on your specific needs and the conditions of your farm. For example, if you live in an area with a cold climate, you may want to opt for a breed that is more weather resistant. Or, if you want to have some colorful eggs, you might want to opt for one of the breeds mentioned here in the second paragraph. It is also important to consider that hens need good care and attention to be healthy and productive. So once you've chosen the right breed, it's important to provide them with a proper environment, healthy food, and veterinary care when needed.
