![]() ![]() It is usual in the commercial world to cull chickens after their second year, as their egg production does drop noticeably here. ISA’s have been ‘engineered’ to lay eggs, and with that has come to a profusion of ailments when they live to be over 2 years old.Ī bird that can lay 300+ eggs each year without rest is not going to live into a healthy old age. They will sit well and they make great Moms. They rarely go broody, they have been bred not to, but occasionally you will get a broody girl. Since they work so hard using all the protein and calcium available in their small bodies, it is wise to feed them a slightly higher protein base (+18%) and make sure they have oyster shell available at all times (especially after the first molt). These hard-working girls can lay in excess of 300 large brown eggs per year! They barely pause for the molt and get right back to it, making them one of the best breeds for egg laying around. ISAs stand confinement very well but enjoy foraging for bugs and other tasty morsels! Egg Laying Ability of the Isa Brown They are known to be affectionate with their owners and enjoy being held and cuddled often jumping into your lap unannounced to enjoy some affection and treats. They are a fairly quiet hen and so suit backyard living well. The ISA brown is of a friendly, sweet and docile nature. ISA Brown Chicken Temperament and Disposition ISAs’ come from a white rooster over a red hen therefore they are a ‘sex-link’ chicken meaning chicks at birth can be immediately sexed – white chicks are boys and tan chicks are girls. It is probably better to not try to breed them yourselves. It has also been noted that offspring are highly prone to suffer from kidney ailments, so they aren’t the healthiest of chicks. Whatever you may get in the way of chicks is not likely to live up to its’ parents abilities. BreedingĪs a hybrid bird, they will not breed true. They are classified as small to medium hen weighing around 5lb. Eyes range from a yellow to a bay red color. The comb and wattles are red in color with the comb being single and upright. The tail is held upright, they occasionally have some white tail feathers. The ISA brown is a medium-sized bird with a rectangular body and a slight dip to the back. ![]() When you look more closely you will notice their red/brown is lighter in shade – more of a light chestnut brown. If you desire to show your ISA brown at the local poultry show, there is nothing to stop you from doing so, but it will not be accepted in the larger more prestigious shows.Īt a quick glance, you could be forgiven for mistaking them for Rhode Island Reds. You cannot call your look-alike chickens ISA browns or sell them as such. Breed Standard and Appearance of the Isa Brown ChickenĪs this is a hybrid there is no ‘standard of perfection’ in place from the American Poultry Association or any other Club or Association. What other breeds may be involved is a mystery. Their exact genetic make-up is a closely guarded trade secret, but speculation has been pointed at the Rhode Island Red and white breeds with input from White Leghorns. The company has since merged again multiple times and is now part of the Group Grimaud La Corbière SA. In 1997 the Institut was merged with Merck and Co and the breed then became the Hubbard ISA. Originally developed in France around 1978, the ISA stands for Institut de Sélection Animale. The ISA Brown is a fairly recently developed hybrid chicken designed by man to lay eggs. In today’s article, we are going to discuss this breed in detail giving you some information on their history, appearance, temperament, egg-laying ability, and finally, if they are the right breed for your backyard flock. The usefulness of the breed cannot be denied – such a high egg output is hard to argue with when you compare to heritage chickens that are more modest in their output. They are medium-sized, affectionate, docile hen which is suited to family living. She can lay lots of beautiful eggs for you and has a great personality. The ISA Brown Chicken breed is a fairly recent introduction to the poultry world and is a very popular girl.
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