Breed Overview: ISA Brown Chickens

Breed Overview: ISA Brown Chickens. This video features the ISA Brown, one of our favorite chickens. Their egg laying ability and great demeanor make them a great breed for new owners, or people looking for maximum egg laying capability.
#backyardchickens #egglayingchickens
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[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Looking at the ISA Browns? Hopefully this will give you a feel for the hens, how they behave and how they lay. Let me know if you have further questions. Cheers!

[@jencameron8124]

We have all ISA Browns at our little homestead. They're AMAZING little creatures, funny and sweet! Whether they lay for us or not (which they do wonderfully), we'd still love them just as much as we do now! Thanks for another great video. Cheers!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

It sounds like they are egg laying machines for two years! They are a wonderful hen and I can imagine you've got a great flock of happy girls! Cheers Jen!

[@TheCowEmporium]

Egg laying machines! Pretty hardy birds too, likely due to the leghorn in them. They look so happy checking out the new grass. Take care, Annette 🌺

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

They do very well in a Minnesota winter! The hens are so happy to be checking out all areas on the Farm! Have a great week, Annette!

[@NewsOfTheEarthOfficial]

ISAs are most friendly bird i ever had

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I agree. The Barred Plymouth Rocks and Cinnamon Queen are a close second. Our ISA hens are such sweeties! Thanks for throwing in your opinion!! Cheers!

[@claytonmorris6669]

Yes they are really good egg layers my girls lay great

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Perfect gals....great layers and a beautiful attitude! Cheers!

[@russpack6757]

Love them. Great birds

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

They really are beautiful birds! Great layers and great attitudes! The perfect combination!

[@WhiskeynSunshineOffGrid]

Good information Rich! Take care

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

They're great layers and fun chickens. Thanks for stopping by!

[@beesandseeds]

We are expanding our variety of birds. This one is on my list since you’ve spoken well of them. I really like the mellow breeds.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

This is an awesome hen and a great layer. I'll have other Breed Overviews coming up. The Black Sex Link will be next. Thanks for watching, Lisa!

[@beesandseeds]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm I’ve got some 3 month old black sex link and we love them. My granddaughters can hold them and the sweet things just nuzzle in.

[@paulsgreenspace]

Couldn't agree more mate I've had them in the past 👍

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

They are winners! Thanks for stopping by, Paul! Have a great weekend!

[@Ellieskitchen]

Chickens can be very loving pets. Sounds like the brown hen is the way to go! 🥰

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

This is a really great blend of high output and a very friendly hen. A win-win! We're getting another 20 chicks in a few weeks! Thanks for stopping by!

[@ALittleFishintheKitchen]

Hi Rich, I enjoy your breed overviews very much! This sounds like a wonderful breed for our family. We can't wait to finally set up shop with chickens this summer. Thanks so much for these videos!! 👍👍

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

So glad you'll be getting chickens this summer! We'll have another Breed Overview on Wednesday when we discuss the Black Sex Link/Black Star. We'll also have overviews soon on the Sapphire Splash and Calico Princess. Keep us posted on which hens you get!!

[@dougroberts3643]

They do very well in a confined area as well and don't need to free range. In other words, it doesn't take much to make them happy, and they will still lay a ton of eggs.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I had read they don't like confinement. Our hens will always be in the large part of the barn. Very rarely will they go into the smaller coop area of the barn. You're correct about the eggs. A lot of eggs!! Cheers Doug!

[@tomhudgens3797]

So they will be good for a chicken tractor?

[@YogiHollowFarm]

Great overview of the breed! Power layers and cold Hardy! We ordered a bunch in 2021 but must have been a mix up because we never got them. Great job!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

So sorry you didn't get them a couple years back. You would really love them. Perfect for your weather and they lay all winter!! Cheers Lisa!

[@moviebuff7077]

I've been hearing a rooster crowing for the past few days. I've never heard that ever in a suburban setting. Well, animal control was just here with a big net trying to corral the guy. He was running all over the yard to avoid capture. He finally got captured. The animal control guy said he captured 5 others recently but they were all together. So weird. My sister said be glad it wasn't an alligator. She's such a comedian. I did send her an article a few days ago where an alligator was found in Lake Erie near Erie Pennsylvania. Some animal weirdness going on. Now I'm hearing some dog uncontrollably barking in the distance. Maybe they were his chickens.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I bet the guy was happy it wasn't an alligator! I've seen a couple roosters that looked like they were tougher than an alligator! Thanks for stopping by!

[@cericson3426]

Isa browns are one of my favorite breeds and one of the friendliest chickens. We have one the rest are golden comet, wyandotte's and Easter eggers.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We've got one Golden Comet and she is a sweetheart. Good layer and very friendly! We've never had the other breeds, but I've heard good thing about them. Thanks for stopping by Curtis!

[@kl1958]

Fantastic breed...tame like the Orpington...excellent layer and....no broodiness. Great video Rich! Thanks.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

You're right. We have yet to see one go broody. The hens just want to lay eggs and forage! Fun hens!! Cheers!

[@MinuteontheMountain]

I always learn something from your videos. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

These are great gals and we love them in our flock. Thanks for stopping by to watch and comment! Have a great week!

[@mysparky2011]

I have 10. Perfect hens in every way. I often get 10 eggs, one weighed 143g. They are 2 1/2 now and the only chickens I have. Super healthy, great pets. They easily go back into their run with a treat, usually cooked oatmeal in a metal pan. Tap it and they come running.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We love our ISA Browns! Great disposition and incredible layers! There are many days each week where every hen lays an egg and many of the hens are laying six days each week! Thanks for stopping by! Cheers to you and your ten hens!!

[@kimbean8920]

I have 3 Golden Comets that I'm ready to boot outta my spare bathroom in a brooder. I believe they're along the same line as the ISAs. They're almost 6 weeks old and they're very sweet already. I'm not sure how I'm gonna go about introducing them to my big girls yet but I know they need to get a bit bigger before I mingle them all together. Beautiful Chooks Ol' Swede!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We don't introduce the two groups until they are the same size (20 weeks +/-). If they are different sizes, they'll get picked on (or killed). We have one Golden Comet that is a beautiful girl. Seems to be a good layer and very friendly! Thanks for stopping by Kim!

[@angelfrankenfine]

my ISA Brown, Crystal is my favorite. she is so friendly and affectionate

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Aren't they a fun breed?! Sounds like Crystal is a real "gem!" Sorry, I had to make the bad Dad joke! Cheers Angel!

[@beebop9808]

I've got a couple of pullets. Sweetest birds ever. A bit nosey but that's ok. Wouldn't mind picking up a few more of them.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I call them "helpers," not nosey! If I'm working on a project, they sure want to "help" me....and they will talk to me the whole time (probably telling me what I'm doing wrong!). They really are great hens! Cheers!

[@tracydonnelly3570]

My favorite isa brown!!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

My favorite too! I was looking to get another ten this spring and I don't see them on the delivery schedule to our local Ag store. I need to make some phone calls! They are so docile and great layers!! Cheers Tracy!

[@peg9202]

I have 4 of them and they are the sweetest birds. Very people friendly. Mine come for snuggles every day and love attention. Mine cannot free range all day because of predators but when I let everyone out, they are always so curious about what is going on follow me around like puppies. Because they lay so much, they can have a shortened life-span. My chickens are pets as much as anything else. All 23 have names and know their names.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

WE have learned that they can have shorter lives. They make up for it by being such loving hens all the time! They love the petting and they are incredible lap chickens! You'll never be short on "helpers' if you have them around!! Cheers!

[@HomesteadOnAPrayer]

They are beautiful chickens! My sister has an isa brown and she is really happy with her. Maybe I’ll need to try one or two the next time I order new chicks!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

You won't be disappointed if you get a few of these. If you're unhappy, we'll take them!! Have a great week, Jennifer!

[@OldWaysGardeningandPrepping]

Absolutely love Isa Browns and they lay very well year round. Also have had them in a small confined space and they done well. ❤️🦉 Blessings, Teresa

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I had read that they don't like confined areas and ours don't like being in the small coop in the barn. They will stay in the larger area. Interesting that you've had a different experience. Have a great week, Teresa!

[@clivesconundrumgarden]

Good to them out and about Rich. The eggs look big. Your #1 is the Barred Rock, right ? These seem like a good beginner bird if you have some "room" Cheers J&C 🌱👍

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

#1 & #2 are the ISA Brown and the Barred Rock. Two great breeds! You'd love them! Cheers!

[@mdmujahid9908]

Masaallah

[@VillageChicken618]

It will give us good results if we understand this breed well.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Our results so far. The ISA's are laying an egg six or seven days a week (even now in the winter). These girls are egg laying machines!! Thanks for stopping by!

[@brendawersal212]

Just got some this year for the production. Not sure if you've ever tried the midnight majesty marans but they are great layers averaging 5 days a week, I've gotten some really dark brown and extra large eggs. Plus they have an easy going temperment also.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We've never had that breed. I'll look into them for next year. We've got 20 ISA's and 20 Barred Rock chicks coming in two weeks. I'll look into the Marans for next year. Thanks Brenda!

[@craigkarwacki1777]

1st time chicken owner....these look identical to my cinnamon queen chickens. Some just started laying, @17 weeks. Do these live only 3yrs? They are very friendly, especially in the evening they climb up to us. Quiet, yet have an awesome personality. What breeds would not take advantage of these birds..ty in advance

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

They sure look similar and have great laying habits, like your Queen. I've heard these will lay incredibly well for several years and live longer. Their production drops off after three years. If you had Cinnamon Queens and the ISA Brown, you'd be swimming in eggs! Cheers!

[@gbltheolechurch5acrehomestead]

Like 30 for you! Nice lookin’ chicken! I’m impressed Rich.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

When you start looking at chickens, I'd look at these. Great hens and a great disposition!

[@souhirhairstyle]

Beautiful chiken

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

They really are beautiful! Cheers!

[@bryanjones14]

Great birds super friendly , we have one that actively seeks me out in the shop

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I've got a few that want to be "helpers" whenever I'm cleaning out the coop. I feel like they are heckling me, telling me I'm not doing a good enough job! Cheers Bryan!

[@Essie-johnson]

They also have black in the tail on one

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

They are all very unique birds. No two are alike in their looks. Keep us posted. Cheers!

[@BARBSCOUNTRYHOME999]

We have two Isa Brown Hens (Thelma & Louise) and they are very sweet.🥚

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We both agree that those are the best names! Perfect for the ISA Browns!! Thanks for stopping by Barb! Have a great weekend!!

[@Montana-noblings]

What breeding system works best for them? Free range, deep liter or cages

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We do not breed our own chicks. We buy them from our local hatchery. We do use deep litter in our barn and coops. Our hens free range all year on our property. We do not believe in cages. You can see a video on our deep litter and how well it works in winter. Hope this answered your question. Cheers!

[@Montana-noblings]

Thanks🤝

[@primalconcretesledge3137]

Thanks for the great video. We're getting a dozen of these at the beginning of next month. They will be free range once they complete their "coop boot camp" week. My question is, once the coop week is complete, do they know to come back faithfully or are they stubborn to go back to coop like other breeds?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We just received 20 of the ISA Brown chicks. They're so darn cute when they're young! Once our hens move outside, they spend a couple weeks in the small coop in our barn. We then open the door and let them into a larger fenced area. That restricts their range but lets them "free range" in the area. It's probably about 1600 square feet. After a month, we move them to our outdoor coop and they have a larger area to range. Once they are the size of the adults, we let them free range together. Each group comes back to their respective areas each evening to sleep. I hope this makes sense.

[@ShaniaZammit-y8s]

Can I breed ISA browns from the ones I have or do I need different breeds since they are a mix

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I have never bred chickens. We don't have a rooster. I'd contact a hatchery or check online for what mixes you need for the ISA Brown. I thought it was a bred chicken that was a bit "secret" on the parent breeds. Sorry I can't be much help Shania, Cheers!

[@Essie-johnson]

How do you tell male ISA Browns? I’ve had these since they were babies and the feathers are rounded. There’s only one that has a little bit of a pointy feather, but I still can’t tell whether they’re boys or girls.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We have never had any roosters. We buy only hens from Hoover's Hatchery, so we haven't had to deal with roosters. I would suspect you'd see the rooster develop much quicker than the hens. One day, you'd hear it crow! That's about all I can offer. Sorry, we're not being much help! Cheers!

[@tomhudgens3797]

Would the ISA brown be good in a chicken tractor?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I usually see people use a Chicken Tractor for meat birds. This really isn't a meat bird. Our hens really love to free range. I'm not sure how they would do in a very small area. If you use a tractor, please let us know how they do. Cheers Tom!

[@LifewithBlindaandChuck]

Sounds like a great bird to have. I do have a question. We have some white leghorns and also some Buff Orpington (sp?). White eggs and brown eggs. Blinda and I have noticed that when we check them for freshness by floating in water, the white ones by far have the lowest shelf life. Do you know if that has anything to do with the color or breed?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We collect the eggs about five or six times a day. We never float them as we don't want them wet and we know they are fresh. Since we don't wash them (or float them), all our eggs are fresh for weeks. I would assume that the breed or color doesn't matter for freshness. Also, realize that getting the eggs wet will wash off the bloom and this could affect freshness. If you float them, they should be kept int he fridge. Hope this helps.

[@user-oq1hv1xk4l]

Thank you for good video,,I have a question,,is it Rhode Island Red rooster or leghorn rooster to make a isa brown,,have a good day

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I believe this is a proprietary breed. I think they know the two breeds but don't say which is the rooster and which is the hen. We got ours from Hoover's Hatchery in Iowa. Got them as day-old chicks. Sorry I can't be more help to you. Have a great weekend!

[@sandramarbut8229]

I was given 2 juvenile chickens?? I think they are roosters. How can I tell?? They are probably 12 weeks to 16 weeks old. I have other chickens they are laying and these 2 stand way above the other girls. Also they don't crow or cluck like either would do. They make a honking sound like a goose. They aren't geese. I have pics but no where to get them on here.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We have been lucky and never had a rooster. Look for the size of the comb and wattle. Look for the longer tail feathers. Wait for the "hen" to crow. Look for spurs on the back of the leg. It might be that you have a slower growing hen that will lay in a couple more weeks. Keep us posted on what turns out. Cheers!

[@sandramarbut8229]

Thank you. I think they are younger than I first said. More like 10 weeks old. My other chickens ,well one... lucy is trying to be mean to them. Anyway I google lensed them. They are Isa browns so they are bigger than my chickens. That was throwing me off too. No spurs. They are starting to sound more like my hens. NORMAL lol

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@sandramarbut8229 Sounds like everything is in order. If there is bullying, it might just be the hens sorting out the pecking order. If they continue to fight, you might separate them for a few days. Keep us posted on the hens and how they continue to grow. Take care Sandra!

[@silviabadillo5041]

I had an isa brown once, and was my favorite i even named her Luca, until a dumb dog killed her, she died in my arms😭

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

That is sad. I am always watching for feral cats of stray dogs. I want to keep our girls safe. Sorry you had to go through that with Luca. Cheers!

[@yennyjen5742]

Mine will be 2 and their laying is off 😢on and off

[@yennyjen5742]

What do you do when they don’t lay anymore? Mine are barely 2 and stopped laying

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We've had three batches of these hens. When they have gotten towards two years old, we've sold them to people who don't mind chickens who lay less. The feedback is that the hens continue to lay for quite a while but not as often. We've had 6 eggs per week for over two years (before selling them). Hope this helps.

[@yennyjen5742]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm thanks. I was wondering if they were molting. Seems like 2 yrs is their top laying time

[@erikalfan1027]

This is a very fast and fat chicken laying hens

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

They are great hens! Thanks for stopping by Erik! Cheers!

[@mickelsonfamilyhomestead]

Just got about 12 baby chicks of these girls! (Hopefully) I can’t remember if they were sexed or not 🫠

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

We've got 20 more coming on May 15. Can't wait! You will love this breed! Thanks for stopping by!