The ISA Brown is one of the most popular chicken breeds in the world. This heavy-layer was created in France in 1978 for commercial egg production. The ISA Brown is mostly used in large-scale farming, but it is also a great choice for small backyard flocks.
History of the ISA Brown Chicken
ISA stands for Institut de Sélection Animale, the French company that created this breed. The ISA Brown was developed through complex crossbreeding to create a highly productive brown egg layer
The exact genes are very secret, but it’s likely to include Rhode Island Red, Rhode Island White, White Leghorn, and maybe even some other heritage breeds.
In 1997, ISA merged with Merck & Co., forming Hubbard ISA. Later acquisitions led to the current copyright holder, Hendrix Genetics. Due to the popularity of this hybrid, the ISA Brown is also known simply as a production “brown layer.”
Appearance of ISA Browns
When chicks are hatched, the ISA Brown can be told what gender they are by the color of their down. Males are light yellow while females are reddish brown.
As adults, hens are a red-brown shade with some white feathers, especially in the tail. Roosters are white or pale yellow. Both sexes have single combs.
ISA Brown chickens are a medium size. Hens weigh about 5 pounds and roosters weigh about 6 pounds. They have rectangular bodies with tails held upright. Not a feather is on their legs, and they don’t have any extra tufts or crests.
Egg Production in ISA Browns
The ISA Brown is an egg-laying superstar! Hens start laying around 18 weeks old and peak at around 320 brown eggs per year. They continue laying well for about two years, producing over 500 eggs in their lifespan.
Eggs are large, light brown in color, and have good interior quality. The excellent feed to egg conversion ratio makes ISAs efficient backyard layers.
Temperament of ISA Brown Chickens
A huge advantage of the ISA Brown is its calm, docile personality. They are a very quiet breed that is non-aggressive and perfect for family flocks.
ISA Browns are not flighty and become very friendly towards their owners. They enjoy human interaction and being held. This gentle demeanor makes them a great choice for children.
They also do well confined but enjoy free-ranging to forage when possible. The ISA Brown integrates smoothly into mixed flocks with other breeds.
Care and Health of ISA Brown Chickens
The ISA Brown is hardy, low maintenance, and thrives in most climates. They tolerate heat and cold well provided they have adequate shelter.
As prolific layers, they do require a quality layer feed. Offer oyster shell freely to support egg production. Monitor for common issues like prolapse and provide good nutrition and care.
The breed’s calm disposition reduces stress and promotes good health. Their hybrid vigor helps resist illness. With proper care, ISA Browns remain lively and productive backyard chickens.
Pros and Cons of Keeping ISA Browns
Pros:
- Extremely high egg production
- Fast growth rate and early egg laying
- Excellent feed conversion for efficient production
- Docile, quiet, easy to handle temperament
- Does well in confinement or free-ranging
- Hardy and healthy if cared for properly
Cons:
- Prone to reproductive health issues from intense laying
- Shorter lifespan than heritage breeds
- Egg production declines after 2 years
- Not inclined to go broody
- Roosters are difficult to find
For those seeking a friendly pet that also provides a bounty of eggs, the ISA Brown is an excellent choice. Their productivity, hardiness, and pleasant personality make them a top pick for small flocks. With proper care, ISA Browns will reward their owners with up to 500 eggs over two years.
The ISA Brown today
- A reliable and economic winner
- Proven performance worldwide
- High egg production and excellent persistency
- The efficient brown egg layer
- Market leader in egg numbers
| Laying period | 18-100 weeks |
|---|---|
| Livability (%) | 93 |
| Age at 50% production (days) | 145 |
| Peak of production (%) | 96.5 |
| Average egg weight (g) | 63.0 |
| Eggs hen housed | 470 |
| Egg mass hen housed (kg) | 29.6 |
| Laying period | 18-100 weeks |
|---|---|
| Average feed intake (g/day) | 112 |
| Cum. feed conv. rate (kg/kg) | 2.15 |
| Body weight (g) | 1975 |
| Shell strength (g/cm2) | 4100 |
| Shell color (lab) | 14.0 |
| Haugh units | 81 |
ISA Brown Chicken Breed All You Need To Know
FAQ
What are the disadvantages of ISA Brown chickens?
ISA Brown’s (and a lot of other commercial hybrid chickens) are bred to continue laying most of the year. This means that they won’t have the opportunity to rest their reproductive systems and will therefore develop tumours, cancers, prolapses and other health issues relating to their high egg production.
What makes an ISA Brown chicken?
ISA Brown chickens are a hybrid breed developed for high egg production, specifically for commercial egg laying. They are not a natural breed; instead, the Institut de Sélection Animale (ISA) (now Hubbard ISA) in France created them by crossing two different types of dogs.
Is ISA Brown a good chicken?
The ISA Brown is known all over the world for getting strong and reliable results. It is also known as the “Global Superstar in Performance.” Extensive field testing with the ISA Brown shows that the ISA Brown has exceptional feed conversion and is capable of laying up to 500 first quality eggs.
Are ISA Brown chickens hybrid?
Given that this breed was developed by a company, its genetic makeup is akin to trade secrets. It’s believed Rhode Island Reds and Whites and White Leghorns are involved in their development. ISA Browns are a hybrid breed, so the American Poultry Association (APA) offers no standards of perfection for it.