The ISA brown
We've had our ISA brown for about two years now and I thought it would be nice to share my experiences with her.
ISA browns are a sex-linked hybrid, meaning that they are a cross breed and the gender can be identified at birth/hatching. She was one of many other hens sold at the pet store and we bought her as a POL, or point of lay, aged at around 15-16 weeks old. When we first got her, she had a small comb and wattle, both of which were quite pale. These would grow bigger and redder as she approached laying age, around 20-22 weeks of age.
LAYING
This hybrid is well known for it's phenomenal egg laying capabilities, and our Chicky didn't dissapoint. For her small stature, she lays huge eggs, most topping the 70g mark. Only once has she laid a fart egg (small egg in between cycles, no yolk, just white). I do find that her egg shells are thinner than the purebreeds. She lays every day and takes a one day rest every month. Lays througout winter and I have not seen her look broody. She is also one of the quickest in the nesting box. Our other chickens sit in the nesting box for hours, whereas Chicky is usually in and out within the hour. Less chance of nesting box fights (as they all have to use the same nesting box!).
Now that this is her second year, we've started to notice that she is laying abnormal eggs. Strangely shaped, very rough and the whites are quite watery. As it was coming up to winter, we also noticed that she started moulting. ISA browns are not known to moult and the strain of moulting and growing new feathers had an effect on egg production. The poor thing still tries to lay though, when most other breeds would take a break. That's down to her genetics I guess. To overcome this, we try to supplement her feed with extra protein, such as yoghurt, cheese, meat and some cat food.
TEMPERAMENT
We found Chicky to be very inquisitive and bold. She became very friendly with us, especially when she found out that we were the bringers of food. She would squat rather than run when we tried to pick her up. She doesn't really mind being handled, but she will get restless after about a minute. She will come over when called and will often come up to us in the garden to see what we are doing.
Towards other chickens, she would try to establish the pecking order with her at the top. Even when she was a pullet, she would pick fights with any new hens. With her, the fight occurs at the start, the winner of that basically determines the pecking order.
Chicky is known to murmur, so no noisy cackles like some other breeds, and we have only heard her sing the "I have laid and egg" song once or twice (buk buk buk BAWK song >.<)
Around the garden, Chicky is a fiend, she likes to dig holes in search of bugs. If you let them free range, expect to have plants dug up and twisted ankles from walking into holes.
LIFESPAN
Well from what I have read, ISA browns are only known to live for 2-4 years, with the exceptions up to 5-8 years. At 2 years, our Chicky is already looking tired. Lets just hope that she survives the winter. Overall, I have found ISA browns to be great birds for the backyard, not just for eggs, but in personality.
LAYING
This hybrid is well known for it's phenomenal egg laying capabilities, and our Chicky didn't dissapoint. For her small stature, she lays huge eggs, most topping the 70g mark. Only once has she laid a fart egg (small egg in between cycles, no yolk, just white). I do find that her egg shells are thinner than the purebreeds. She lays every day and takes a one day rest every month. Lays througout winter and I have not seen her look broody. She is also one of the quickest in the nesting box. Our other chickens sit in the nesting box for hours, whereas Chicky is usually in and out within the hour. Less chance of nesting box fights (as they all have to use the same nesting box!).
 |
| Normal egg on left, fart egg in the middle. On the right is an Australorp egg. |
Now that this is her second year, we've started to notice that she is laying abnormal eggs. Strangely shaped, very rough and the whites are quite watery. As it was coming up to winter, we also noticed that she started moulting. ISA browns are not known to moult and the strain of moulting and growing new feathers had an effect on egg production. The poor thing still tries to lay though, when most other breeds would take a break. That's down to her genetics I guess. To overcome this, we try to supplement her feed with extra protein, such as yoghurt, cheese, meat and some cat food.
 |
| "May we be invited to lunch?" LOL, no we don't feed them chicken. They did have some pork sausage as a treat and greedy Effie stole a piece of bread from the table! |
TEMPERAMENT
We found Chicky to be very inquisitive and bold. She became very friendly with us, especially when she found out that we were the bringers of food. She would squat rather than run when we tried to pick her up. She doesn't really mind being handled, but she will get restless after about a minute. She will come over when called and will often come up to us in the garden to see what we are doing.
Towards other chickens, she would try to establish the pecking order with her at the top. Even when she was a pullet, she would pick fights with any new hens. With her, the fight occurs at the start, the winner of that basically determines the pecking order.
Chicky is known to murmur, so no noisy cackles like some other breeds, and we have only heard her sing the "I have laid and egg" song once or twice (buk buk buk BAWK song >.<)
Around the garden, Chicky is a fiend, she likes to dig holes in search of bugs. If you let them free range, expect to have plants dug up and twisted ankles from walking into holes.
A rare treat, a beetle grub!
LIFESPAN
Well from what I have read, ISA browns are only known to live for 2-4 years, with the exceptions up to 5-8 years. At 2 years, our Chicky is already looking tired. Lets just hope that she survives the winter. Overall, I have found ISA browns to be great birds for the backyard, not just for eggs, but in personality.
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