Consistency in terms of laying eggs is a manifestation that of a strong and joyful hen. As the hen reaches 18 weeks, it is ready to lay eggs, and during this prime period, they lay eggs almost every day. Mostly, they start laying 250 eggs annually that is equivalent to 6-7 eggs per week, especially if it is a high-caliber and well-cared chickens. Expect that as years go by, egg production will go down once the hen reaches the endpoint of their season. This comes in the sixth or seventh years.
Scientifically, a hen produces eggs within 24 -26 hours. It takes that long because of the so-called calcification process. This is when the shell has to harden, and the hen needs to exert extra effort. That is why a chicken can’t lay 2 eggs within 24 hours. With this, as the caretaker, you have to render extra patience because the process might be tedious- one that consumes considerable time.
How Long Do Chickens Lay Eggs?
What is the expected duration for a chicken to lay eggs?
Scientifically, a hen will be on its prime production of egg comes during her first years of laying, especially when it reaches its age of 30 weeks. Notice that the eggs will be in smaller sizes. But as time goes by, it gets an increase in size. Moreover, as the bird gets older, it will have a slight decrease in egg production. For instance, an 80 percent decrease in eggs takes place during the second year. Let us say that the hen produced 250 eggs in her first year and expected 200 eggs on the succeeding year.
It is expected that there will be a 30 percent decrease in egg production once the hen reaches the third year. About a 40 percent decrease may take place in the fourth year. To know have more vivid information about this, you can check the graph from the University of Florida showing the estimated number of eggs the flock may yield each year.
One prominent question we often receive is: What is the ideal lifespan of a chicken? Take note that chicken can still live for years, even if they retired from producing eggs. It is the nature of the hen to decrease the production of eggs once they reach 6 or 7 years of age. The average life expectancy of a chicken after retiring from laying eggs can take for around 8-10 years.
In Some Unusual Cases
There are cases when a chicken lays two eggs in a day, but this is quite an unusual scenario. It may be experienced by a very young chicken or when there is a scientific factor why the chicken needs to lay two eggs within 24 hours. With the period given, it is expected that the hen lays eggs in the morning, or it could be at night. Thus, you will have two fresh eggs in the clutch to collect due to the egg’s early production.
This may also happen if the hen experiences a delay in laying eggs. In scientific terms, it is called “egg binding”, it’s a condition where the egg is stuck in the hen’s oviduct. When this happens, there is a chance that the hen can lay two or more eggs because of the biological support in her system. The danger of egg-binding is that it may cause a blockage to hen’s intestines or other foul effects such as death. If you observed that your chicken seems to produce 2 eggs in a day, or it might seem to be ill, check her well, for she might be an egg-bound.
It is still feasible for a chicken to lay 2 or 3 eggs within 24 hours, but it may take place in an unusual setup.
Egg Productions of Different Chicken Breeds
1) Leghorn
If you were born in the 50s and 60s, you might have a strong background in how a leghorn looks like through the famous TV show Foghorn Leghorn. Historically, this breed of chicken originated from Italy and was brought to the United States in the year 1800s. Since then, it became a suitable domestic animal. This breed can lay for around 250 eggs annually. The size usually comes in medium and white.
2) Hybrid
Among the most common breed of hybrid chicken is the Golden Comet. What makes this breed distinct from the rest is that it consumes a small amount of food, yet it can lay large amounts of eggs. Having this breed let spend a small amount of penny along with the high production of eggs. The color of its egg usually comes with brown and medium in size. It can lay eggs for around 280 per year.
3) Rhode Island Red
If you are looking for a chicken with a double purpose, then Rhode Island Red perfectly fits for you. This breed was originated from America and is called a dual-purpose chicken, for they can be raised as both for meat and egg production. They are known as one of the prominent domestic chickens because of their strong traits and lay voluminous eggs. Usually, they lay 250 eggs for a year that comes with brown color and medium in size.
4) Sussex
This breed also shares the same feature as that of the Rhode Island Red. It has a double purpose, which means it can be raised for egg and meat production. A Sussex is capable of laying 250 eggs in a year. The color of the eggs may differ from brown to creamy white.
5) Plymouth Rock
Barred Rock or the Plymouth Rock chicken fits for those who are a novice in the field of keeping chicken. This type of chicken usually lays one egg every two days. The color of its egg usually comes in a light color with the medium as its size. It can lay 200 eggs for a year.
6) Ancona
Ancona is a breed of a not-so-big hen originally from Italy but has become more prominent in the US and the United Kingdom. It has small white eggs and can lay 200 eggs in a year.
7) Barnevelder
Known for its shiny feather, Barnevelder resembles the combination of Dutch Landrace and Asian Jungle fowl. This breed is from Holland and can lay 200 eggs per year. Usually, it comes in a small to medium size and light brown.
8) Hamburg
This breed of chicken has originated from Germany and has the most attractive type of chicken. Its eggs have a glossy white shell with a small to medium in size. This chicken can lay 200 eggs in a year.
9) Buff Orpington
This breed of chicken is my personal favorite. It came from Kent, England, and this breed what everyone dreams to have!
It lays 180 eggs in a year. Usually, they tend to be broody during the summer season, which is the very reason why they lay eggs less than those given above.
FAQs On The Reasons Why Hens Stop Producing Eggs
There are multiple factors why hens will stop producing eggs. Usually, health plays a significant role in this stage. If your hen stops producing eggs, you may use the following questions as your point of reference:
Do Hens Lay Eggs for 10 Months or More?
Your hen may be at the peak of her egg-laying stage. If this is the case, the production may stop, and you notice the gradual loss of feathers, but for some time, they will lay eggs again. If your hen, for example, has been producing eggs less than ten months, there might be a problem affecting her potential.
Are The Hens Receiving The Proper Feed?
Nutritional deficiency of the hen may be caused by giving the inappropriate feed or limiting the food intake of the hen. This may cause them to suffer from molting or the gradual loss of feathers and not be able to produce voluminous eggs. Consequently, nutritional deficiency may cause a severe loss of producing eggs on the part of the hen.
Do Your Chickens Receive the Right Amount of Fresh and Clean Water?
Water plays a vital role in the life cycle of a hen. It has a huge responsibility to assure that the chicken is receiving the right amount of nutrients in her body. Thus, you have to make sure that the hen is receiving fresh and clean water. Take note that a chicken can’t eat without drinking water. The challenge may come during winter when water may freeze. A watering system should have a heater attached to it to make the water maintain its liquidity even in cold weather times. But, the problem isn’t only limited during winter. The summer season may bring a problem too as it keeps water warm. This temperature does not fit into the physiological need of the hen. So to solve this, you may refer to articles related to requirements for clean and freshwater for poultry animals.
Do The Hens Infected by Parasites?
Parasites can ruin the performance of a hen. When it is infected heavily by numerous parasites, it will affect its performance, including egg production. Thus, you would not want to put your effort into waste. Check for mites because it may cause anemia to your hen. Always be mindful of the health of your hen.
Do The Hens Get Enough Hours of Light Daily?
Light also plays a role in the egg production of a hen. When there is a decreased exposure of the flock, chances are they get a smaller production of eggs. This is the reason why many flocks tend to not produce a big amount of eggs during the fall and winter season when there is a slight presence of sunlight.
