How Often Do Chickens Lay Eggs?

Posted by Chickens for Backyards

Perhaps the primary reason for raising backyard chickens is having a fresh supply of eggs on your table every day. However, when you’re new to raising chickens, you may be asking yourself one question: how often will my hens lay eggs? Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut answer. 

The short answer How Often Do Chickens Lay Eggs?

Frankly, there is no short answer to this question. Each hen is different, and each breed is different. However, if you’re desperate for a general, simple answer, then it’s this: hens can lay no more than one egg per day. In that regard, a hen could produce one egg each day, but most don’t. A hen may produce one egg per day at her peak, but throughout most of her life she will not lay an egg every single day.  

The long answer 

The longer and more accurate answer is that the amount of eggs your hens will produce will depend on four factors: breed, age, season, and health. 

Breed 

Certain breeds produce more eggs than others. So, if your main purpose for raising backyard chickens is egg production, then you’ll want to invest in breeds that have a high egg production. But remember, no matter what breed you have, a hen will only produce one egg per day at most. 

Age 

If your hen is too young or too old, they won’t produce as many eggs. Generally, hens begin producing eggs at 4-5 months of age, and they will continue doing so for another 3-4 years. Their peak egg laying age is during their first year, after that their egg production will gradually diminish.  

Season 

A hen needs anywhere from 12-17 hours of daylight in order to produce eggs. This means that they’ll naturally be laying eggs more frequently during the spring and summer months as opposed to the fall and winter months. 

Health 

If your hens are in poor health, they won’t lay eggs. It’s as simple as that. This means that you need to provide them with the right diet, the right water supply, and the best living conditions in order to prevent poor nutrition and/or diseases. 

For more tips for raising your backyard chickens, look through our blog or contact us today.