The need to feed ourselves and improve food production has led people to work more with various types of hens aimed at laying eggs. Unlike other birds that are also raised for food, layer hens require high care, which ensures better results. To understand how this process works and its importance, details such as breeding and the different existing breeds should be known.

Most Common Chicken Breeds

Talking about the number of breeds is not easy, as it would be difficult to mention them all since it is estimated that there are more than 2600. Not all are intended for the same purpose; some are raised for their meat, others for egg-laying, and there are even decorative ones. Among the best-known egg-laying breeds are the Padua chicken, the Naked Neck chicken, the Silkie chicken from Japan, the Sebright chicken, the White chicken, the Black chicken, the Red chicken, and others that gain importance depending on the area and breeding methods.

Breeding of a Laying Hen

Hens can be raised at home or on large industrial farms. Generally, home breeding is aimed at self-sufficiency for the household, while industrial breeding is for commercial egg production. A hen under the correct conditions can lay up to 300 eggs a year.

In the home setting, a cage helps keep order and supports the development of the hens. Experience shows that if hens feel overcrowded or are in a dirty environment, they will lay far fewer eggs, so comfort is an important factor. In a spacious yard, they can be easily raised, and in addition to the usual feed, they can also forage for food in the soil.

Industrial production is different; those who breed hens for commercial purposes generally do so in large quantities. The care required is varied, especially in terms of hygiene, as a disease can lead to the loss of all or most of the hens. Moreover, it is essential to have space for them to move around and enough forage for proper feeding. Egg-laying chicken farms have health regulations that are frequently reviewed.

Breeding and Crossing of Breeds

The need for farmers to improve and increase egg production has led to the crossing of different chicken breeds, resulting in hybrid hens. Many times, this crossing process aims to achieve the dual purpose of having hens that lay more eggs and also have better meat quality. Industrial layer hens are typically hens that have been improved to produce a greater quantity of eggs, with some crosses resulting in more than 300 eggs. The egg production system is increasingly focused on creating synthetic breeds that bring more and better-quality eggs to the market.

Rhode Island Red Hens and Leghorn Hens

Although some of the best-known layer hens have already been mentioned, it is important to highlight two breeds in particular: Rhode Island and Leghorn. Among the different types of laying hens, these two breeds, in addition to laying many eggs, are also easy to raise and yield favorable results.

The Leghorn hen is one of the most commonly used white egg-laying hens in the market. The Leghorn is the result of crossing 3 distinct breeds: Moun Hope, Creghton, and Babcock. These three breeds are known for their high egg-laying capacity, producing eggs of good weight and quality.

Rhode Island hens are easily distinguishable from Leghorns as they are not completely white, but instead tend to have various shades of brown similar to their eggs’ color. These hens are the result of crossing two pure breeds, and they are known for their brown eggs and their wide bodies. In North America, this breed is commonly raised.