Do you want to Know which Breed of Chickens Lay those Large Brown Eggs?

[Suzie O'Connor]

So many people seem to prefer brown eggs, as opposed to white eggs, that those who have chicken farms and hatcheries are switching many of their hens from white egg layers to those that will lay brown eggs. There are many different kinds of hens who lay brown eggs according to hatchery catalogues as well breeders.

Those are Rhode Island Red chickens, New Hampshire Red chickens as well as Barnevelders, Welsummers, Buckeyes, Barred Plymouth Rocks, Black Breasted Red Cubalayas, Black Shamos, Buff Chanticlers, Buff Orpingtons, Cuckoo Marans, Dark Aseels, Delaware’s, Dominique’s, Iowa Blues, Black Jersey Giants, Mottled Java’s, Partridge Chanticlers, Red Shouldered Yokohamas, Saipan Jungle Fowls, Spangled Russian Orloffs, Australorps or Black Australorps , Brahmas, Penedesencas, Cochins Wyandotte’s, Langshans, Golden Comets and White Giants.

Other than the Rhode Island Red chickens, and the New Hampshire Red chickens, each of the others is either a bit rare, or very rare, thus most chicken farmers who desire brown eggs will predominantly use the Rhode Island Red chickens, or the New Hampshire Red chickens.

Brown eggs have always cost more because the above breeds of chickens are larger chickens, as adults, than the white chickens that lay white eggs. Because they are larger, they tend to eat more, consequently are more costly to feed and care for. The additional cost is, of course, simply passed on to the consumer.

It is widely held that the way to tell if a chicken will lay brown eggs is to note the color of their feathers as well as their ear lobes. Those with dark red feathers will have dark red earlobes, and thus will definitely lay brown eggs. Truthfully, it is all in the genetics of the particular chicken, but some breeds seem to be consistent, such as the Rhode Island Reds and the New Hampshire Red chickens,

The debate as to whether there’s any difference between white eggs, speckled eggs, or brown eggs rages on, and many nutritionists have often clearly stated that all three are as nutritious as the other, but old wives' tales tell otherwise. Granted, these tales may have once held a modicum of truth because brown eggs used to come only from solid USA stock hens that were generally home reared, and the line was considered quite pure according to some.

The American Poultry Association (APA), found at http://www.amerpoultryassn.com/ lists their Standard of Perfection for each breed of poultry, such as the Rhode Island Reds and the New Hampshire Red chickens, much as dogs are listed in the American Kennel Club, declaring acceptable breeds, as well as their own standards. Breeders rely on the American Poultry Association to set not only standards but to keep careful descriptions of purebred fowl. The APA lends their support to meets and poultry shows all over the US, and Canada. Also they promote responsible poultry breeding as well as encourage the youth of America to delve into poultry breeding and showing through various active youth groups. Youth education in poultry breeding is also carried on by the PA-ABA Youth Program, which is co-sponsored by both the American Poultry Association and the American Bantam Association. The APA also sells cute poultry hats as well as t-shirts!

Different breeds need specific care, as well as exhibiting some acknowledged facts about each breed. For instance, if you are interested in having dark brown egg layers, you should be aware that the color of the eggs would diminish and become lighter as the poultry gets older. The size of the brown eggs will also vary as the hen ages.

Brown egg production of each individual hen, other than her age, is highly dependent on such supplementary factors as, general contentment, temperature variations, humidity, light, sanitation standards, adequate housing, space, careful nutrition and the general health of the hen. Also the brooding factors must be taken into consideration. If a particular breed is prone to brooding that means that the hen will sit on her eggs to hatch them, and while she does so, she does not produce additional eggs. Some breeds are referred to as being “non setters” while some are reported to be fantastic brooders, thus it all depends on which breed of chicken you choose.

If you have made up your mind that you wish to have dark colored eggs from either a large hatchery or private concern, it is with tremendous pride that I point out that Chicken Houses Plus found at chickenhousesplus.com ships Rhode Island Reds mixed with New Hampshire Reds every week. This poultry, which are sent as day old chicks, will come with free shipping within the 48 continental States.

You will find that these chickens will fit right in your backyard and you will be inordinately pleased how each hen will lay large brown eggs for you all year around.

[Suzie O'Connor]

thanks I will research that and post a blog on it.

[Michelle W. Flannery]

Thanks for this post Suzie. I think it's very interesting to know what color eggs certain chickens lay, as that seems to matter to many back yard chicken owners.
It would be nice to have a post about which chickens produce what size eggs. I'm sure there are some folks who would like to know. Is it simply that smaller chickens produce smaller eggs? Size may not matter to some chicken owners, but it might be important to others.