One question I get asked a lot as a chicken owner is “how often do chickens lay eggs?” The number of eggs a hen lays can vary based on her breed, diet, environment, and age. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about how many eggs a chicken can lay and what affects how often they do it.
The Egg Laying Process
Chickens can lay eggs as early as 16 to 20 weeks old. Once a hen lays her first egg, she will do it almost every day after that.
It takes a hen 24-26 hours to produce an egg This is why it is very rare for a chicken to lay more than one egg in a day Here is the fascinating one-day process
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An egg yolk is released from the ovary into the oviduct.
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In the oviduct, the yolk is surrounded by egg white and wrapped in shell membranes.
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The egg moves through the oviduct and shell is formed around it using calcium from the hen’s diet. This takes about 20 hours.
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The egg is laid through the cloaca. Before it is laid, a natural bloom covers it to seal off any pores.
Hens can only lay one egg a day because it takes their bodies almost 24 hours to make an egg inside them.
How Often Do Chickens Lay Eggs?
On average, chickens lay one egg per day or about 5-6 eggs per week. A young, healthy hen at peak production will lay closer to 6 eggs per week.
As chickens age, their egg laying slows. The average production levels are:
- 1st year: 250 eggs (5-6 eggs/week)
- 2nd year: 200 eggs (4 eggs/week)
- 3rd year: 150 eggs (3 eggs/week)
- 4th year: 100 eggs (2 eggs/week)
So you can expect your hens to lay fairly consistently in their first couple of years, with a gradual decline as they get older.
Factors That Impact Egg Production
While most hens naturally lay about one egg per day, many factors can impact consistency:
Breed
Some breeds are bred specifically for high egg production, like Leghorns and Rhode Island Reds that lay up to 300 eggs annually. Breeds like Silkies and Polish have lower production around 100-150 eggs per year.
Diet
A balanced diet with sufficient protein, calcium and nutrients is essential. Feed quality impacts production.
Day Length
Chickens rely on day length to cue their egg laying. They need 14-16 hours of daylight per day for optimum production.
Age
Younger hens lay more consistently. Production declines as chickens age over 2-3 years old.
Health Issues
Sickness, parasites, stress and poor living conditions can disrupt laying consistency.
Molting
Molting hens pause egg production for 4-8 weeks until new feathers grow in.
Weather Extremes
Very hot or cold temperatures can temporarily depress egg production.
Predators
Frequent attacks or close calls with predators can scare hens and suppress laying.
How to Encourage Egg Production
Here are some tips to help your hens lay to their full potential:
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Choose productive breeds known for excellent egg laying.
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Provide at least 14 hours of light per day.
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Feed a complete layer feed with 16% protein and calcium.
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Provide supplemental calcium like oyster shell.
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Keep coops clean, dry and draft-free.
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Control pests/parasites.
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Avoid overcrowding to reduce stress.
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Discourage predators and noisy disturbances.
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Collect eggs frequently so hens continue laying in nests.
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Cull non-laying hens after second molt.
Following these best practices will help your hens produce eggs consistently at their peak. Monitor production levels and troubleshoot any issues quickly.
When Do Chickens Stop Laying Eggs?
On average, hens start winding down on egg production after 2-3 years. Most hens completely stop laying eggs by 5-8 years old.
When a hen has passed her prime and is laying fewer than 2 eggs per week, it may be time to retire her from the flock.
In Summary
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Chickens lay one egg per day on average, or 5-6 eggs per week at peak production.
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Many factors impact egg laying frequency including breed, diet, light exposure, age and health.
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Create the optimal environment to help your hens reach their full egg laying potential.
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Monitor your flock’s production levels and troubleshoot any issues quickly.
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Hens may continue laying 1-2 eggs per week up to 5-8 years old before fully retiring.
Knowing what to expect from your flock’s egg laying capabilities will help you enjoy the fresh egg bounty!
When do hens begin to lay eggs?
During ideal day length (14-16 hours of light) and with adequate nutrition, housing, and management, hens (depending on breed) should begin producing eggs when they are18- 22 weeks old.
Are eggs laid every day?
Regardless of fertilization, ovulation (the release of the egg yolk from the ovary) happens every 24 to 26 hours, so you don’t need a rooster. A hen ovulates a new yolk after the previous egg was laid. It takes 26 hours for an egg to fully form (white and shell added), so a hen will lay an egg later and later each day. Eventually the hen will lay too late in a day for ovulation to be signaled. She will then skip a day or more before laying another egg.
How Often Do Chickens Lay Eggs?
FAQ
How many eggs can 4 chickens lay in a week?
An average hen lays 6 eggs a week (in summer. ) You need 5-6 chickens to get two dozen eggs a week during the long days of summer. You need 8-10 chickens to get the same during the short days of winter – and you need to provide them with at least 12 hours of light to keep them laying.
What is the 90/10 rule for chickens?
The “90/10 rule” for chickens refers to a feeding guideline that recommends 90% of a chicken’s daily diet should be a complete feed, while the remaining 10% can be treats.
Can a chicken lay two eggs a day?
While a chicken typically lays one egg every 26 hours, it’s uncommon but possible for a hen to lay two eggs in a single day.
Is it cheaper to raise chickens or buy eggs?
Raising chickens is generally not cheaper than buying eggs, especially in the short term and when considering the initial setup costs.