One chicken breed that has amped up egg production is the ISA Brown. ISA Browns have become one of the most widely used breeds in commercial egg production due to their ability to lay a large number of eggs consistently.
ISA Browns have distinctive reddish-brown feathers and are known for their docile nature, making them a great choice for families with children or those new to chicken keeping as well.
In this article, we will go through an in-depth guide on ISA Browns. By the end of this article, you will know if they’re a worthy addition to your flock!
ISA Brown Quick Overview
| Characteristics | Information |
|---|---|
| Origin | France |
| Egg Color | Brown |
| Feather Color | Brown and Red or Tan with Lighter Colored Under Feathers |
| Weight | Hens: 4-6 lbs, Roosters: 5-7 lbs |
| Temperament | Docile and Friendly |
| Broody | Rarely |
| Eggs Per Year | 300-350 |
| Ideal Climates | All Climates |
| Free-Ranging Capabilities | Excellent |
| Lifespan | 3-4 Years |
Where Did ISA Browns Come From?
Isa Browns are a popular hybrid chicken breed that was first developed in the 1970s in France by the Institut de Sélection Animale (ISA). ISA Browns are considered to be a sex-linked breed, meaning you can distinguish between males and females when they’ve hatched. The exact breeds and genes used to create ISA Browns were never released publicly, but it’s assumed that they were created by crossing Rhode Island Reds with Rhode Island Whites.
What Color Are ISA Browns?
Isa Browns typically have light brown and red or tan plumage with white tail feathers. They may also have some darker brown or reddish feathers on their neck and wings. They also have some lighter-colored feathers underneath their main feathers that often leak through.
To me, these chickens look remarkably like Golden Comets and are often confused with them among chicken farmers!
How much do ISA Browns Weigh?
Isa Brown chickens are medium-sized birds that generally weigh between 4 to 6 pounds (2 to 3 kilograms) when fully grown. Roosters may weigh slightly more than hens, with an average weight range of 5 to 7 pounds (2.3 to 3.2 kilograms). These weight ranges make ISA Browns a medium-sized chicken breed.
Are ISA Browns Friendly?
In total, ISA Browns are known for their friendly and sociable personalities. They are often described as being curious and outgoing, which makes them a popular choice for backyard chicken keepers who enjoy interacting with their birds. Additionally, Isa Browns are known for their gentle and docile nature, which makes them a good choice for families with children or other pets.
ISA Browns also integrate quite well with other breeds. You shouldn’t have many issues putting these chickens with other breeds.
Are ISA Browns Broody?
In total, ISA Browns are a non-broody chicken breed. While some farmers report they have ISA Browns go broody occasionally, others report they rarely, if ever, go broody. If you’re planning on raising ISA Browns yourself, I recommend using an incubator since the hens can’t be relied on to go broody.
If you’re looking for a broody hen, you should look into my article on Buff Orpingtons!
Are ISA Browns Good Layers?
Isa Browns are one of the most reliable egg-laying breeds, capable of laying an impressive 300 to 350 large brown eggs per year. These birds are specifically bred for their egg-laying abilities, making them a popular choice among commercial and backyard chicken keepers alike. If you’re looking for a productive egg-laying breed, Isa Browns are worth considering.
To see a list of the 15 best egg-laying chickens, check out my article on The 15 Best Egg-Laying Chicken Breeds! Spoiler alert, ISA Browns made the list!
Are ISA Browns Cold Hardy?
ISA Browns are known for their excellent cold hardiness and ability to thrive in cooler climates. These chickens have a thick layer of feathers that helps to insulate them from the cold, and they can adapt to a range of temperatures.
Additionally, Isa Browns’ single combs are considered small to medium-sized and are not as prone to frostbite as some other breeds, making them a good choice for chicken keepers in colder regions.
While they were originally developed for warmer climates, they have proven to be resilient and able to withstand colder weather with proper care. If you live in a colder climate and are looking for a breed of chicken that can handle the chill, the ISA Brown is a great option. However, it’s important to provide them with adequate shelter and protection from extreme weather conditions to ensure their well-being.
I wrote an article on the 10 best chicken breeds for cold climates, check it out to see if ISA Browns made the list!
Are ISA Browns Good in Hot Climates?
In total, Isa Browns are well-suited for hotter climates due to their heat-tolerant traits. They were originally developed in France to be adaptable to a range of climates, including warmer regions. Isa Browns have a light-colored plumage, which reflects sunlight and helps to keep them cool. They also have a relatively large body surface area, which allows for efficient heat dissipation.
If you live in a hot climate and are looking for a breed of chicken that can handle the heat, the ISA Brown is a great option. Just be sure to provide them with shade, plenty of cool, fresh water, and a well-ventilated coop to help them stay comfortable.
Check out my article on the Top 5 Chicken Breeds for Hot Weather to see if ISA Browns made the list!
Are ISA Browns Good Free-Range Chickens?
On average, ISA Browns are known to be good free-ranging chickens. They are active birds that enjoy foraging for their food, and they are also good at fending for themselves when left to roam.
As long as you provide them with a safe and secure area to free-range, they will happily spend their days exploring and finding food on their own. Fre-ranging is quite healthy for them and allows them to get plenty of sunlight and exercise. Chickens are natural free-rangers and it’s good for their physical and mental well-being.
Additionally, because ISA Browns are excellent foragers, they can help to reduce the amount of feed you need to provide, which can save you money in the long run. However, it’s important to keep in mind that free-ranging chickens are more susceptible to predators and diseases, so you’ll need to take steps to protect your flock if you choose to let them roam freely.
Some things to strongly consider are when, and how long you should let your chickens free-range. To see a guide on this, check out my article on How Long You Should Let Your Chickens Free-Range.
What’s the Lifespan of an ISA Brown?
On average, these chickens usually live for 3-4 years. Some farmers have reported their ISA Browns living between 5- 8 years, but on average 3-4 years seems to be the more accurate lifespan. Unfortunately, their short lifespan is due to being bred for high egg production rates rather than longevity.
Most chickens take a break from laying in the winter months to stop laying, not ISA Browns! They go right on through winter laying like usual. This takes a toll on their body, which greatly decreases their lifespan.
To keep your chicken happy and healthy, consider a high-quality laying pellet or layer crumble. To help you decide on pellets vs crumble, check out my article on Laying Pellets vs Layer Crumble!
Where to Get ISA Browns
On average, the best place to get ISA Brown chickens is through an online hatchery such as Hoovers or Mcmurray. These sites are trusted and have a great selection of chicks for you to choose from!
Generally, you can buy chickens locally but you’re at the store’s mercy on what breeds they have at the time. I went to my local Tractor Supply and they had 4 breeds available at the time. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any ISA Browns and weren’t sure they were going to get any this year.
The store representative instructed me to go online to their website and buy them there. Their website just redirected me to Hoovers Hatchery!
Although ISA Browns are a popular breed, there are even more popular breeds, such as the White Leghorns and Rhode Island Reds. It may be difficult to find ISA Browns at your local farm and ranch stores, and it’s possible that you may never be able to acquire them.
If you can find ISA Browns locally, I recommend that you take advantage of the opportunity and acquire as many as you need, as purchasing them online could result in a minimum shipping fee that varies per online hatchery site.
Incubating ISA Browns
Incubating ISA browns, like other hybrid breeds can be quite challenging. First off, we aren’t 100% sure what their genetic makeup is. I believe you can get close by crossing Rhode Island Reds with Rhode Island Whites, but is it a 100% match? Probably Not. Also, it’s not so great that you’ll have to have two other breeds raised and producing eggs to acquire the breed you want.
However, If you start looking for an incubator to purchase, I’ve written an article on Still air vs Circulated air to help you pick out which type would be best for you!
Conclusion
I hope this guide helped you learn all about ISA Browns and determine if they’re right for your flock. If you liked this guide be sure to check out some of my other articles!
This article was originally published on farmapt.com. If it is now published on any other site, it was done without permission from the copyright owner.