French Black Copper Moran

[ninnymary]

I don't know what causes it, but mine start laying significantly better after I do the spring check for laying and tag those that will be culled in the fall. Egg counts go up abruptly after that night and I can almost swear the rooster is laying too...caught him coming out of a nest box the other day.

The best all time layers I've had in every flock down through the years have always been black Australorps. Doesn't matter from what source, they always lay consistently well through all seasons and weathers, into a ripe old age, are lovely while doing it and are a docile, quirky breed of hen. They don't often go broody, so I depend on them to keep egg numbers up while my WRs take time off each spring to raise youngin's.

I think the BAs are very pretty, especially in the sun light. But, even better than their beauty, they are thrifty on feed, hard working on range, have extremely good health and longevity of laying life, lay well in the winter months, etc. So, a good breed to invest in if you have a pet flock that you also want to lay well...they will get to stay with you a long while and are worthy of their feed in all ways.

What's BA?

Mary

 

[Ridgerunner]

The best all time layers I've had in every flock down through the years have always been black Australorps. Doesn't matter from what source, they always lay consistently well through all seasons and weathers, into a ripe old age, are lovely while doing it and are a docile, quirky breed of hen. They don't often go broody, so I depend on them to keep egg numbers up while my WRs take time off each spring to raise youngin's.

Interesting. MY Black Australorp (BA) from Cackle went broody much more often than any other hatchery chicken I had, including Buff Orpington. The females also had a larger fat pad than the others when I butchered them, generally speaking. I always wondered if that larger fat pad made them better layers.

 

[bobm]

The best egg layer is the Khaki Campbell ... their eggs are larger and they lay more eggs than even the commercial egg layers per year. I had 2 of them that eventually replaced our laying flock . Feed and house 2 or a dozen+ egg layers ... the math is in favor for the Khaki Campbell.

 

[canesisters]

... but.. um...

 

[Beekissed]

What's BA?

Mary

Black Australorp, Miss Mary. Stellar layer and some even have a decent carcass wt., so one of the best of the dual purpose breeds out there.

 

[Beekissed]

The best egg layer is the Khaki Campbell ... their eggs are larger and they lay more eggs than even the commercial egg layers per year. I had 2 of them that eventually replaced our laying flock . Feed and house 2 or a dozen+ egg layers ... the math is in favor for the Khaki Campbell.

I'm thinking about getting a couple for the garden this year, Bob. I had tried them some time back and they weren't working out here very well, but I was trying too hard to make them a duck habitat instead of just letting things flow.

 

[ninnymary]

Black Australorp, Miss Mary. Stellar layer and some even have a decent carcass wt., so one of the best of the dual purpose breeds out there.

I saw where Ridge mentioned what they are. I've got one and can't wait for it to start laying. I've read they can lay 300 eggs a year!

Mary

 

[ninnymary]

I'm hoping my 2 easter egger pullets will each lay a pink and blue egg. Do you guys think this will happen?

Mary

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'm hoping my 2 easter egger pullets will each lay a pink and blue egg. Do you guys think this will happen?

Mary

Nope, not a chance. They will not each lay both a pink and a blue egg. Whatever color they lay is what color that hen will lay each time. There can be some variation in shade but not base color. That color might be blue, pink, green, white, or brown. You really won't know until you see their egg.

It's just personal preference but my favorite EE egg color was a bright mint green. To me that was much prettier than those dull drab olive colored eggs so many people seem to love. And to me prettier than the light blue. Hopefully you will be happy with what you get.

 

[Beekissed]

I like the greenish blue as well. I only have two EEs...one given to me, one I got to keep the other company...but they are both good warm weather layers, for the breed. Not good in my standards for a DP or layer breed, but good for what they are. One is 8 yrs old and still puts an egg or two in the nest each week, the other 2 yrs and lays at least 3-4 per week in peak season.