Best Egg Laying Hens – Rhode Island Reds! Spring is in the air and with spring comes the Easter holiday. Easter gets us thinking about eggs and when you think about eggs, maybe you are considering where the eggs you bought at the store may have come from and just how healthy and nutritious they are for your family. Many homeowners like you and I are considering following the new trend and raising a few chickens in our own backyards. We will know exactly what our chickens are eating, what goes into the eggs we are eating and we can feel good placing them on the breakfast table for our family. Easter is a great time to get those cute, fluffy baby chicks and they will be perfect for laying eggs by the fall. So off we go to find out what kind of baby chicks we would like for our backyard flock and we ask ourselves “What are the best egg laying hens so that I can get the most bang for my buck?”, per say. If you read my first article on the Ameraucana breed of chicken, you’ll already know they are good egg layers. I am doing a little research on the top 3 egg layers, so in addition to the Ameraucana, let’s look at the Rhode Island Red.
Rhode Island Reds are a good, dual purpose breed of chicken known for both their superior egg laying and for their meat. They are above average in egg production, making them one of the best egg laying hens and putting them on the top of my list for those chickens I am considering for my backyard flock.They lay extra-large sized brown eggs and are adaptable to any climate. If you want a chicken that has it all, this one is for you!
The Rhode Island Red is an American breed developed in Rhode Island and these birds were once hugely popular, but they lost popularity when there was a sharp decline of the small farmer. Now that backyard flocks are on the rise, the Rhode Island Red is regaining its fame. They are very hardy, adapting well in both cold and warm climates. They do well as a free-range bird or when caged. Chances are, if you are thinking of starting your own flock of chickens, you would be wise to include this versatile bird in your henhouse!
What makes this bird one of the best egg laying hens? Generally, these family friendly birds lay between 200 and 300 eggs a year. Wow! They continue laying throughout the cold months and begin to lay earlier, often as early as six months. The egg of the Rhode Island Red is big and plump and brown, often too big to fit into a standard egg box. It has a dark, rich yolk and a delicious flavor.
So, if you are looking to add one of the best egg laying hens to your flock, a Rhode Island Red should fit your needs. Another plus? They are also friendly birds, considering their keeper as part of the flock. They often come when called and will allow their owner to pick them up and handle them. They will lay eggs for many years and will become a beloved member of your flock. You will get a lot of eggs and a family friendly bird! Seems like an opportunity you can’t pass up if you are an up and coming backyard farmer!
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