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There are such a vast variety of chicken breeds, it’s only natural that there are variations in the eggs each breed lays. If you’re considering laying eggs chickens, then you should be prepared regarding the temperament and the variety of eggs each breed will produce. While some breeds are more popular for raising commercial eggs, they may not be properly suited for a backyard flock. Consider the temperament, size and quantity of egg, as well as the color of the egg before investing in a specific type of chicken. If you’re interested in raising a flock that will lay colored eggs, there is a specific way to tell the color of egg a chicken will lay. The skin around the back of a chicken’s ear will reveal the color of the egg they will lay. For example, a chicken with white skin behind its ear will lay a white egg. On the other hand, a chicken with a red or brownish colored skin behind its ear will typically lay a brown colored egg. Interestingly enough, those with red skin patches behind their ears will often lay green-blue colored eggs. There is no difference in how an egg will taste or the quality of the egg based on the color of its shell. Of course, chickens that are raised in an organic, cage-free setting are known for producing healthier eggs higher in Omega-3 fatty acids. Chickens that lay white eggs are often considered the most popular for mass egg production. However, it’s important to note that many white egg laying chickens have a moody temperament, and are therefore not ideal for backyard pasturing. For example, the Minorca chicken is known for laying extra large white eggs, and are popular for egg laying, but this type of bird is not easy to tame. Similarly, the White or Pearl Longhorn produces 90% of the eggs bought and sold around the globe. Yet, because these birds are difficult to tame and are generally nervous, they are not ideal for backyard egg laying. Brown egg laying chickens are some of the most popular chickens to raise in backyards and for at-home purposes. Hubbard Isa Browns are some of the most popular backyard chickens to raise because they are gentle, good foragers, and are quite people friendly. Because of this, Hubbard Isa Browns are the most widely used chickens for brown eggs. Wellsummers are known for laying deep colored brown legs, and this breed is great for pasturing and free range. Martha Stewart exclusively raises Cuckoo Marans, and these chickens are known for laying dark colored eggs as well. If you want laying eggs chickens that will produce colored eggs, be advised that you will most likely be choosing from breeds that lay blue or green-blue eggs. Ameraucanas lay blue colored eggs, while Araucanas lay smaller blue and blue-green eggs. Both are known for having a varied temperament, so your egg production may vary. Consider not only the color of egg you want to produce, but also where you will raise your chickens, and what type of environment they will be located in. That way you can have the most successful egg laying flock possible. If you are looking for the best laying eggs chickens to get the most out of the laying hens you plan to raise them getting this FREE chicken mini-course will give you needed information about the best hens to get as well as building the best chicken houses for them.
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