White Egg Layer Dual Purpose
Brown Egg Layers		 Meat Breed



White Egg Layers

Leghorn

Available for customers who want white eggs, Leghorns will peak at 90%+ production and lay from 275 to 300 eggs over a 12-month period. They will do this with a minimum of feed, and will weigh approximately 4 lbs. at end of lay. Leghorns are more nervous and flighty than brown egg breeds.



Dual Purpose/
Brown Egg Layers

Rhode Island Red

This popular breed is used in most crossbred varieties available today. Its bloodlines flow in most brown egg breeds throughout the world. It is a good producer of large brown eggs, yet quiet and easy to handle. Both male and female are dark red in colour, and at end of lay the hens weigh approximately 5 lbs.
Barred Plymouth Rock

This veteran of all the brown egg breeds is still available in quantities. For many years, they were almost extinct, as many poultrymen were carried away with the new crossbreeds. Every superior breed will prove its worth in the end, and these have made a comeback mainly because of their good meat qualities, combined with good brown egg production. People in the fly-tying business say that the Barred Plymouth Rock cockerels carry the best "cape feathers" for that type of use. Both pullets and cockerels are grey barred in colour, with the pullet being a bit darker. Pullets will weigh 5 to 6 lbs. at end of lay.
New Hampshire X Barred Rock

This cross produces a very hardy chick, as it springs from two of the oldest common breeds, which nick together exceptionally well. These are unusually quiet birds, and very attractive. Pullets have a beautiful red comb on a jet-black body, laced with brown on the neck and breast. They lay a good-sized brown-shelled egg and reach 6 lbs. at end of lay. Males are a dark barred colour.
Columbian Rock X Red

This proven crossbreed has been with us for over 30 years, and today bears the distinction of being one of the hardiest breeds to be found. These birds have a beautiful colour pattern – basic white with black lacing on their necks, and black-trimmed wing tips and tails. End-of-lay body weight is 6 lbs. for pullets. The pullets are an exceptionally quiet bird in the laying pen.
R.I. Red X Columbian Rock

This bird is a very hardy dual-purpose breed and its excellent performance has won wide approval for small flocks over the last 30 years. The pullets are reddish-brown in colour, very quiet and easy to handle, and have a body weight of close to 6 lbs. at end of lay. The eggs are rich brown in colour, with good shell texture and interior quality. Males grow up white with some black markings.
Shaver Red Sex-Link

This bird was developed here in Ontario, Canada, by Shaver Poultry Breeding Farms, and we are pleased to make it available to our customers. This top producer is doing well all over the world. Test results from Europe and Canada show that it equals most other brown hybrids. Body weight at 18 weeks is about 3 1/2 lbs., and after one year of laying about 4 1/2 to 5 lbs. Egg production at 72 weeks of age can be 305 to 315 eggs. Pullets are reddish-brown in colour with white underfeathers. Males are white with a few red markings on the feathers.

Harco Black Sex-Link

This specially developed layer is one of the top egg producers of large brown eggs. The Harco Black Sex-Link is known and used worldwide, and performs well in all types of conditions. Its extensive breeding background shows up in the large and jumbo eggs. The pullets are jet black with a bit of red tinge on the neck and breast. They grow to about 5 lbs. at end of lay. The males are a dark barred colour, similar to Barred Rocks. The Harco's black colour tends to absorb light, so we recommend brighter or more intense lighting for top egg production.
HATCH DAY CHOICE
We choose the breed-
YOU SAVE!
(for day olds only)

If you want a brown egg layer but aren't fussy about the breed, Hatch Day Choice is for you! You will receive top-quality chicks at a discounted price when you allow us to fill your order with whatever breed(s) we have the most of on your delivery date.
Normally you will receive a single breed.
This is a win-win deal for everyone!
Layer Variety

Looking for colour variety in your backyard layer flock? This option will give you an attractive assortment of brown egg layers. You will receive a mix of brown, yellow and black chicks – most likely 3 different breeds. Since several of our brown-egg breeds look very similar, this is a more economical option than ordering a few of each breed and paying the top price for each.


Heaviest Dual Purpose
Alternative to White Rock
Special Dual Purpose

This breed is a combination of some of the heaviest dual purpose breeds still in existence. It was developed for those who want a hardy, healthy chicken with firm and flavourful meat. Mortality is very low in this breed, and weak legs and heart attacks are almost unheard of.

The females are a rusty red in colour and are generally quiet. The females will grow to approximately 6 lbs. live weight at about 15 weeks. As females approach maturity (15- 20 weeks), they tend to put on fat, so if larger-size females are desired, we suggest a diet lower in protein and energy. The males are white and may have dark markings on their backs. Males will grow to approximately 8 lbs. live weight at 15 weeks.



Meat Breeds

Special Meat White Rock X

These extra heavy meat-type birds are bred for meat only. Their strength is in their efficient conversion of feed into meat. They are basically white in colour, and the pullets can be grown to 8 or 9 lbs., and the cockerels from 10 to 12 lbs. If purchased as non-sexed, the fighting of the cockerels is reduced. Pullets will substitute well for capons. Cornish Game Hens are produced by growing pullets of this breed to 2 lbs. live weight.
We will guarantee delivery of 100% live, healthy chicks (truck delivery & pick-up orders), but we cannot accept responsibility beyond that point.

The Ontario Egg and Chick Commission limits purchases of
this breed to 300 per transaction.


Why is it More Difficult Each Year to
Grow the White Rock Meat Bird?

White Rock growth rates have changed dramatically over the years:

  • Average weight at 7 weeks in 1957 – 2 lbs.
  • Average weight at 7 weeks in 1986 – 4 1/2 lbs.
  • Average weight at 7 weeks in 1999 – 6.3 lbs.

Unfortunately, the White Rock's increased efficiency at feed conversion has not been matched by improvements in the bird's cardiovascular system (heart and lungs). Simply put, too often the bird's heart just can't keep up with the rest of its body.

The sad result is an increased incidence of flip-over disease (Sudden Death Syndrome or heart attacks), and Acities (an accumulation of fluid in the body cavity) caused by right heart failure (RHF). For more technical information on these two conditions, we can supply you with fact sheets.

Flip-over disease seems to strike the healthiest and the biggest birds – especially the males. Most will be found on their backs. It can happen as early as 3 days of age, and any time after this.

Since these birds are already stressed internally by rapid growth, they are much more susceptible to environmental stresses than are other breeds. This has made them increasingly more difficult to raise. To maximize your chances of success, see the Special Care Considerations for White Rocks with the other care information on this site.

If you lack the facilities or the patience to provide the optimum conditions preferred by White Rocks, consider raising our Special Dual Purpose breed. They won't grow as big or as fast as the White Rocks, but you should experience lower mortality and few health problems. And because the Special Dual Purpose birds grow more slowly, many people find their meat to be firmer and tastier than that of the White Rock.