Surrey Poultry

Point of Lay Hybrid Hen

Hybrid hens are the most economical hens available for egg yields. They are smaller than a pure breed large fowl chicken. They consume very little food and are extremely hardy, friendly hens to have around your garden. To get the different colours in these beautiful birds good laying strains of pure breed birds are crossed with each other. These are some of the breeds used in this process to produce such colours: Rhode Island Red (Brown), Light Sussex (White), Barred Plymouth Rock (Black), Maran (Speckled). All hens are fully vaccinated

Egg productivity = 280 to 340 per year
Egg colour = white, brown, blue
Likely to go broody = No

Rhode Island Red

These are one of my favourites. Originating in America hence the name Rhode Island Reds these lovely birds are a Dual purpose large heavy chicken with both good egg and meat qualities. They have beautiful dark burgundy/chestnut feathers and are very friendly birds. They are hardy and great foragers if given the chance.

Egg productivity = 180 to 220 per year
Egg colour = Mid brown sometimes pinkish
Likely to go broody = Yes

Welsummer

Originating in Holland and named after the village of Welsum these birds have the most magnificent rustic red, firery orange, brown plumage. Welsummers are particularly recognised for the large size and colour of their very dark terracotta eggs. They are both friendly and hardy birds that love foraging.

Egg productivity = 150 to 180 per year
Egg colour = dark brown, terracotta
Likely to go broody = Yes

Orpington

Orpingtons were developed in England in the town of Orpington in Kent. The original colour varieties would have come in Black, Buff and White, however, there are now many other varieties such as Partridge, Barred, Gold and Silver Laced.

Orpingtons are lovely friendly birds, they are large heavy birds, making them great table birds. However, they are quite lazy and do not produce great egg yields for the amount of food they consume. You will frequently see these birds at poultry shows for their beauty. They also make great broodies.

Egg productivity = 110 to 160 per year
Egg colour = Pinkish
Likely to go broody = Yes

Light Sussex

The Light Sussex is an English breed used widely in the development of Hybrids for commercial laying. With white body, white and black striped neck, black tail and black wing tips. The original Light Sussex breeds were very popular as a dual purpose bird. However in today's strains you will find that the birds produced are far lighter. The Sussex chicken is a docile bird which is happy to live in the back yard and may occasionally go broody.

Egg productivity = 220 to 260 per year
Egg colour = Creamy brown
Likely to go broody = Occasionally

Double Laced Barnevelder

The Double Laced Barnevelders are another one of my favourites due to the beautiful definitive double laced brown and black with a beetle green sheen plumage on their neck, body and tail. Originating in the Netherlands these birds are friendly lazy chickens that need a good amount of exercise if you are keeping them for pets. With a lack of exercise the Barnevelder will become over weight hence dual purpose.

Egg productivity = 160 to 200 per year
Egg colour = Dark brown
Likely to go broody = Yes

Leghorn

These birds originate from Italy and are now found in a variety of colours although they originated as white. They are used in the production of the Hybrid hen due to their fantastic egg laying qualities and slim build. Leghorns have white earlobes and produce a large egg for the size of the bird. They can be quite flighty so clipping one wing is recommended.

Egg productivity = 200 to 250 per year
Egg colour = White
Likely to go broody = No

Cotswold Legbar

Originating in Britain these birds display a variety of plumage colours, much like the variety of coloured eggs that they produce. They have been developed to be an interesting and colourful addition to your garden. They are hardy and friendly birds and love to forage.

Egg productivity = 230 - 250 per year
Egg colour = Pastel blue, pink, green & peach
Likely to go broody = No