![]() ![]() My list contains both hybrid chickens as well as heavy-laying heritage breed chickens - depending on your flock goals, you may prefer a heritage breed that lays a few fewer eggs than a hybrid, or you may prefer pure hybrids. They are laid out in order from least average eggs per year to most. The following breeds are my choices for the best layers for your backyard flock. In fact, many of the most popular birds in smaller flocks are dual-purpose.ĭual-purpose birds are less likely to be flighty and skittish, their larger bodies make them hardier to cold weather climates (like mine!), they're generally excellent foragers, and generally lay between 200-250 eggs per year, while still providing ample meat later in their life cycle. There is considerable overlap between heritage breed chickens and dual-purpose chickens, like the Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island red, jersey giant, and Sussex chickens.ĭon't be alarmed - just because the chicken is a dual-purpose bird, that doesn't mean it's not a good fit for your backyard flock. They don't lay eggs as well as a hybrid layer or grow as fast as a meat bird, but they grow larger than a layer and lay much better than meat birds. ![]() Heritage chickens include some of the most popular laying chicken breeds, like Plymouth Rock, Brahmas, polish, jersey giants, and cochins.įurther Reading: Livestock Conservancy Guide To Heritage Chickens What Is A Dual Purpose Chicken?Ī dual-purpose chicken breed is a breed that produces both eggs and meat. They can be quite vigorous foragers that provide natural pest control while they hunt for grubs and bugs in the yard or field. They are also likely to have higher egg-laying capacity over their lifespan than hybrids and lay for a larger number of years, albeit at a slower pace. Heritage breed chickens tend to be more hardy and better adapted to living outside, capable of handling extreme temperatures and climates. These unique birds boast a number of different characteristics when compared to more modern hybrid varieties, including plumage, physical characteristics, and even egg color. In order to be considered a heritage breed, the chick must be sired by an American Poultry Association Standard breed established prior to the1960s. Heritage breed, or heirloom breed, chickens are the original and traditional breeds of domesticated chickens that were usually kept on small farms and homesteads. ![]() This means that once your hen has become spent, or slows down her laying, there isn't much or any meat to harvest from her frame. Generally, hybrid laying hens are derived from breeding with the leghorn which increases their laying capacity but makes for a flighty, nervous bird that doesn't enjoy human interaction.īecause these birds are bred for laying, they maintain the characteristics of efficient layers, including the small frame. This makes them an excellent choice for chicken keepers who desire consistent and reliable performance from their laying flock. Hybrid egg layers typically lay up to 300 eggs per year depending on the breed, environment, and diet. Barnyard mix chicks are the result of many different types of chickens' random breeding. Hybrids differ from barnyard mix or backyard mix chickens because hybrids are selectively bred. The genetic recombination results of breeding these birds will create offspring that display some characteristics of each parent breed, but not necessarily in the way we want them to be expressed. Or meat birds, like the cornish cross, being bred to grow more muscle, faster, to increase feed conversion and earlier harvest dates. For example, breeding a high-production breed like a leghorn with a blue egg-laying Ameraucana can result in a high-output blue egger. Usually, the parents of a hybrid chicken are a highly specialized breed. Both breeds are selected for desirable traits and when bred together create chicks that demonstrate the best characteristics of both parents. Happy chickens lay happy eggs, I always say! What Is A Hybrid Chicken?Ī hybrid chicken is the offspring of two different breeds. From the gentle giant Brahma chicken to the friendly Buff Orpington to the exotic feathers of a Polish, there's something special to be discovered in each breed of poultry.Ĭhoosing the makeup of your flock is an important decision that should reflect both your wants and needs as well as the birds'. Not only will you get the benefit of fresh and delicious eggs, but you'll also have the opportunity to experience the amazing companionship of various breeds. Building Your Backyard Flockīuilding a backyard flock is a fun and rewarding experience. ![]() As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |