Which Hens Are Best For Eggs?
Raising backyard chickens has become a popular family activity. It is a growing part of the "back to basics" trend.
Most chickens can be expected to lay 5 eggs a week. This means that if you need two dozen eggs per week, you will need about four to five good laying hens. Different breeds have different qualities. The best layers won't usually sit on eggs (be broody), but some of the breeds that are just a little less productive will set the eggs for you if you plan to raise chicks.
If you only want to produce eggs to eat, you won't need to deal with a rooster, which is a big perk. Even in docile breeds, roosters are often mean, noisy, and can wreak havoc amongst a flock.
Choosing Your Chickens
The White Leghorn is the best laying breed. They usually begin laying at about five months of age and then lay an egg almost daily for the next three years or more. Leghorns lay large white eggs.
Red and Black Stars are not only excellent layers, but they are also very friendly and often kept as pets. Stars lay large, brown eggs (one per chicken) almost daily.
There are hundreds of chicken breeds, so before you choose, think about this:
Be sure your choice of breed will do well in your climate. Some can adapt, but many do not do well in cold climates.
Consider how much space you have. An adult hen needs at least four feet of space at the minimum. Close confinement leads to stress, which means fewer eggs. They need space for exercise, so more is better.
Pick a docile breed if your chickens are going to interact with children.
Eggs and Small Business Ventures
Backyard hen keeping can be a great passtime or can become a fun home-based business.
Eggs can command a high price if you have the room to free range or go organic.
Fertilized eggs can be sold as incubation projects for students or you can hatch them yourself and sell the chicks.
This becomes even more profitable if you have a breed of hens that is rare or endangered. Sales on the Internet for eggs or chicks can take place all year.
If you choose this venture, you will need to learn to pack these eggs safely for shipping. It's not as difficult as you might imagine. It requires a lot of bubble wrap for each egg and a snug fit in a double box. Many have shipped and received eggs this way without a mishap. Have you ever considered constructing a DIY chicken coop?
If you will be incubating or selling the eggs for incubation, they should not be washed. Brush off loose dirt, but nothing more as washing them can remove a protective layer that resides on the outside of the shell.
It's fun to keep chickens and with a little planning, it can be profitable as well.
