Thinking of adding deathlayers

[Cierrascoop]

Does anyone have any good info on deathlayer chickens? A local posted that she will have chicks come spring. Photos of the hens and rooster were posted and they are beautiful. But I was wondering temperament wise how have they been within your flock? Do yours actually lay daily? If so, did it decline at all with age? It's stating online that even when old they lay every day of their lives. (Also stating 6-7 days a week lol). How do you find them in comparison with your high production layers? I will likely get some regardless because I think they're beautiful. But I was just curious on actual experiences with the breed.

 

[Cierrascoop]

It also stated online that they begin laying "earlier then most laying breeds" and went on to say around a year? My layers have all started around 5-6 months. So I am a bit confused.

 

[ColtHandorf]

I have not heard good things about the deathlayers. I do not believe Greenfire Farms imported a large enough breeding population. As such, the birds are inbred, and the individuals that I know that have tried them had nothing but problems and ended up selling them off.

 

[Cierrascoop]

I have not heard good things about the deathlayers. I do not believe Greenfire Farms imported a large enough breeding population. As such, the birds are inbred, and the individuals that I know that have tried them had nothing but problems and ended up selling them off.

That's very disappointing to hear but would make sense. It states that even in Germany there are roughly only 1,500. They're so pretty. Was it the "laying every day until they're dead" part that didn't hold true for them or was there bad health related issues from inbreeding?

 

[ColtHandorf]

Infertility and physical issues with chicks that did hatch. They didn't develop as quickly as the other breeds they raised (English Orps, Brahmas, Buttercups, and Marans), so they had to baby them. The adults would just drop dead unexpectedly for no reason. If you do decide to get some, find a breeder that is willing to talk to you about their birds and their bloodline. It's possible some lines may be hardier and more fertile than others.

 

[Cierrascoop]

Infertility and physical issues with chicks that did hatch. They didn't develop as quickly as the other breeds they raised (English Orps, Brahmas, Buttercups, and Marans), so they had to baby them. The adults would just drop dead unexpectedly for no reason. If you do decide to get some, find a breeder that is willing to talk to you about their birds and their bloodline. It's possible some lines may be hardier and more fertile than others.

Oh my gosh. That sounds awful. For the price, it would be highly disappointing. Thank you for letting me know about these things. I will definitely keep this in mind when speaking to the breeder. She is a local who seems very open and knowledgeable about her birds so I will have to ask her about her lines in particular. She has other breeds as well that I may look into.

 

[ColtHandorf]

Oh my gosh. That sounds awful. For the price, it would be highly disappointing. Thank you for letting me know about these things. I will definitely keep this in mind when speaking to the breeder. She is a local who seems very open and knowledgeable about her birds so I will have to ask her about her lines in particular. She has other breeds as well that I may look into.

Always ask a lot of questions about birds that are fads (Ayam Cemani, Deathlayers, anything imported by Greenfire, Mosaics, etc.) or birds you are paying a lot for. I always advise asking a lot of questions in general, but especially with breeds like that. There are a lot of unscrupulous people out there that are just looking to make a quick buck. Just today I saw someone buy a trio of "Silver Ameraucanas" on here that were all Easter Eggers. I had a friend online buy two Lavender Orpington pullets for $60 each. They were both visually cockerels when she sent me pics and the breeder refused to refund them or swap them.

 

[gimmie birdies]

Fox fire farm in ID has many of the mentioned birds, from GFF. AC, Death layers, Mosaics, BCM, and many more. I usually get pure breeds eggs from her but a medley of what she has.
I ordered a doz eggs recently, I have BCM male, bichen maran male, 2 mosaics, male and female, 2 Blue isbar females, Death layer female, 3 AC females, cream legbar male,

 

[Cierrascoop]

Fox fire farm in ID has many of the mentioned birds, from GFF. AC, Death layers, Mosaics, BCM, and many more. I usually get pure breeds eggs from her but a medley of what she has.
I ordered a doz eggs recently, I have BCM male, bichen maran male, 2 mosaics, male and female, 2 Blue isbar females, Death layer female, 3 AC females, cream legbar male,

Oh you sound like me lol. I have a little bit of everything. I just love my birds and having a colorful egg basket. They're all pets, but I love unusual finds. This lady also has bcm I was interested in and is to get in siverdudds (I think that's how you spell it?? Lol) by fall. Their eggs are really beautiful. How has your experience been with your DL?

 

[gimmie birdies]

I am one state over. The eggs ship well it only takes me a day to get them, and she gave me a few extras, and free shipping. I have gotten 3 shipments over that many years. I found her on Ebay, (potluck eggs) but then looked her up and got her address. Many people from WA and OR, Cal that I visit with use her.

If you just want to look at her eggs you can go on ebay, she has a list it is long, and she has pics of her birds.