Types of hens what are they? Which breed is the best?

Remember that regardless of the breed you choose, all hens require proper care, including a healthy diet, regular health checks and a safe, clean place to live.

Breeds of hens in Poland

A variety of hen breeds are raised in Poland, both those known around the world and those typical of our country. Here are some of the most popular hen breeds in Poland:

1. Zielonóżka kuropatwiana – This is one of the most well-known Polish hen breeds. These hens are prized for their tasty meat and eggs. They are also known for their good health and resistance to disease.
2. Yellow LeggedPartridge – This breed is similar to the Green Legged Partridge, but differs in leg color. Like the Green Leg, the Yellow Leg is prized for its tasty meat and eggs.
3. Polbar – This is a Polish breed of hen that is prized for its egg production. Polbars are also known for their beautiful, multi-colored feathers, making them an attractive choice for those who want to raise hens for decoration.
4. Rhode Island Red – Although this breed originated in America, it is very popular in Poland. It is a versatile breed that is known for its good egg and meat production.
5. Leghorn – Although native to Italy, this breed is also popular in Poland, especially among breeders interested in egg production. Leghorns are known for their high egg production and are very productive.
6. Sussex – The Sussex is a versatile breed that is known for good egg and meat production. They are also easy to breed and have a gentle temperament, making them a good choice for beginning breeders.
7. Plymouth Rock – This breed is often chosen for meat production, although they are also good at producing eggs. They are large, strong hens that are also known for their gentle temperament.

Remember that regardless of the breed you choose, all hens require proper care, including a healthy diet, regular health checks and a safe, clean place to live.

Exotic breeds of laying hens

Exotic breeds of laying hens are fascinating and diverse species that deserve the attention of both experienced breeders and those who are just beginning their poultry breeding adventure. Among them are such breeds as Sussex, known for its unique plumage and efficiency in egg production , or Plymouth Rock, valued for its versatility of use and good health.

Not to forget the Brahma breed, giants of Asian origin, which served to refine French breeds, and the exotic NOVOgen Tinted breed, known for producing eggs with a creamy shell color.

Choosing the right breed of laying hen is crucial to achieving maximum egg production. However, it’s worth remembering that each breed has its own unique characteristics and can be suitable for a variety of breeding needs, from egg production to raising meat to keeping hens as ornaments.

Keep in mind that raising laying hens can be a very rewarding and environmentally friendly solution, and the variety of hen species is overwhelming.

Breeds of laying hens for backyard breeding

1. Green Partridge – This is a Polish breed, especially popular on organic farms. It is resistant to low temperatures and is comfortable in the open air. It is famous for its green jumping color and striking plumage. Hens weigh about 1.8 kg and are gray-brown, while roosters weigh about 2.2 kg and are reddish-brown with a long black and shiny green tail. They lay about 160 eggs a year and are unlikely to weigh more than 58 g.
2. Yellow-leggedpartridge – yellow-leggedpartridge, this breed was bred in Poland. It was created from the crossbreeding of green partridge with roosters of the New Hempshire breed. It has similar production characteristics to the green-legged, but has yellow jumps.
3. RhodeIsland Red and Rhode Island White – In Poland, the Rhode Island Red (RIR) (in reference to the American state of Rhode Island), or Crimson, is one of the most popular breeds kept in backyard breeding. They tolerate extensive conditions very well and make good use of runs, both in terms of plucking forage and finding insects. Hens weigh about 2 kg, a rooster over 2.5 kg. Mature hens lay about 210-230 brown-shelled eggs per year, with an average weight of 59 g. Rhode Island White have similar production and adaptation characteristics, but differ in plumage color. Their feathers, with a metallic sheen, range in color from dark red to black
4. Sussex – The Sussex is another breed of the general utility type bred in the early 20th century in the county of Sussex, England. It is widely distributed throughout the world because of its great hardiness, fine bone and good musculature. The birds have white plumage with black outlined prominent mane feathers, ailerons, sickles and wheelhouses. They lay 180 to 200 eggs during the production period, with a light brown shell and weighing 56-60g.

All these breeds are perfectly adapted to our country’s environmental conditions and have low food requirements.

Types of hens that lay the most eggs

1. Rosa: This is a hybrid that has been bred to lay a huge number of eggs while consuming small amounts of food. Rosa can lay up to 300 eggs a year, which are medium-sized and brown in color.
2. Rhode Island Red (Redfish): This breed is native to America and is raised for both eggs and meat. A redfish should provide about 250 eggs per year, which are brown and medium in size.
3. Leghorn: Leghorns are an ideal breed of hen for the backyard or free range. They should lay about 250 eggs a year, which are white and medium in size.
4. Sussex: The Sussex, like the Rhode Island Red, is a dual-purpose hen, meaning it can be raised for eggs or meat. Sussex is easily capable of laying 250 eggs a year, the color of which will range from brown to creamy white.
5. Australorp: The Australorp is a very friendly hen that is ideal for both cold and hot climates. The Australorp can lay about 250 eggs a year.
6. Plymouth Rock: The Plymouth Rock is an ideal choice for the beginning breeder looking for a hen that lays eggs about once every two days. A healthy Plymouth Rock should lay 180-200 eggs a year, which are small to medium in size and light brown in color.
7. Maran: Marans are another dual-purpose hen, known for their dark brown eggs with exceptional flavor. Maran lays about 200 medium-sized eggs per year.

However, it is important to remember that many factors can affect the number of eggs a hen lays, such as diet, age and access to daylight. For example, older hens do not lay as many eggs as younger ones, and chickens need about 20 grams of protein every day to lay eggs. In addition, hens need at least 14 hours of daylight to lay eggs.

Summary

Choosing a breed of chicken depends on many factors, such as the purpose of breeding, environmental conditions or personal preferences. Whether you are looking for hens for egg production, meat production or simply for decoration, you are sure to find a breed that meets your needs. Remember, however, that regardless of the breed, all hens require proper care and living conditions to thrive and produce at the highest level.

Types of hens – frequently asked questions

What are the types of hens?

There are many types of hens, our native ones are mainly: green-legged partridge, yellow-legged partridge, Polbar, Rohe Island, Sussex, Leghorn.

How many breeds of hens are there?

There are about 80 breeds of hens.

What breed of hens lays green eggs?

Araucana hens, lay green or bluish colored eggs.

What breed of hens is the best?

When it comes to breeds for backyard breeding, the best will be Green-legged and Yellow-legged, as they adapt well to Polish climatic conditions.

Do broiler hens lay eggs?

Yes, they can lay eggs, but if they are not industrially reared – because the harsh living conditions and short life span prevent them from doing so.

What breed of hens lay large eggs?

Leghorn hens, whose laying rate is high, as they lay 200 eggs a year (and some even up to 280), lay large eggs that weigh between 55 and 67 grams. They are characterized by a white shell.

What breed of hens live the longest?

Pasek, Loman Brown, Russian White and Leghorn hens can live up to 8 years.