Are you a new chicken keeper and wondering how often do chickens lay eggs? Actually if you are a beginner in chicken farming business, then you should know how often do chickens lay eggs. And learning about the frequency of your chicken’s eggs production will help you to manage your farm properly.
How often do chickens lay eggs or your chicken’s egg production depends on numerous factors and it can vary. Egg production of a hen typically depends on the breed, age of the birds, environment and time of the year. However, if you want to know more about how often do chickens lay eggs, then read further.
How often do chickens lay eggs?
Actually, the exact answer of this question is pretty complex, and you will need to know some facts about chicken’s egg production. A chicken’s eggs production can vary depending upon it’s breed, age, nutrition, environmental conditions, and daily lighting period. Normally, a healthy and happy hen lays one egg every 24 to 26 hours, which is about an egg a day.
Although, an egg everyday is not guaranteed. Once a hen lays an egg, then her body immediately begins to form the next egg. That’s why it is extremely rare for a hen to lay more than one egg per day, mainly because of this natural rhythm.
If you want to have regular eggs production from your hen, then you must have to keep your hens healthy, strong and productive. Feed them highly nutritious food which is rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Ensure that you are offering vitamins, calcium, electrolytes, prebiotics, and oregano essential oil to your chickens. And doing this will ensure maximum eggs production.
How long do chickens lay eggs?
Again, it depends on numerous factors such as age, breed, environment, nutrition, lighting etc. Most of the commercial hens start laying eggs within their 18 weeks of age, and their peak eggs production starts at about their 30 weeks of age. Most of the hens typically start laying smaller sized eggs at the beginning, and the eggs size generally increase over time.
But as your hens age, eggs size and number of eggs per year will gradually decrease. A hen at about her 2 years of age, she will lay about 80 percent eggs she laid in her first year. So, if a hen lays 250 eggs in her first year, then you can expect to get around 200 eggs in her second year of eggs production. And gradually you can expect about 10 percent decrease in eggs production each year.
What factors affect chicken’s egg production?
There are actually several factors that affects how often do chickens lay eggs. Some most common and notable factors that affect a hen’s egg production are:
Age
Age of a hen is a very important factor for laying eggs. Most of the chicken start laying eggs at around their 5 to 6 months of age. And eggs production of a hen peaks during the first 1 to 2 years, and then gradually decrease as they age.
Breed
Eggs production greatly depends on the chicken breed. Some chicken breeds are just like egg-laying machines. For example, the Leghorn hens can lay over 300 eggs per year. While some breeds such as Silkie, or Polish lay far fewer eggs. So, if you want to have more eggs, then go for commercial layer hens.
Nutrition
Providing adequate nutrition is also very important for getting maximum eggs from your hen. So, always try to provide your hens with enough nutritious food and clean water as per their demand. Offer them a balanced diet which is rich in protein, calcium, and other key nutrients.
Stress and environment
Always try to keep your birds entertained, and stress free. Because stress influence eggs production. Also try to keep the environment inside the chicken coop dry and clean. Doing this helps to keep your hens happy and thus eggs production increase.
Lighting
Lighting affects a chicken’s eggs production. Laying hens typically need between 14 to 16 hours of light per day to maintain a good eggs production. So, you can install required artificial lighting facilities to maintain 14 to 16 hours lighting period.
Why some hens don’t lay eggs everyday?
Not all of your hens will lay eggs every day, even if you ensure all the right conditions. Some hens may lay every other day, or even skip laying for several days. In most cases it is a natural laying cycle of a hen. Some hens may start laying during molting periods, when they regrow feathers. In some case, stress can also impact eggs production, such as flock changes or loud noises.
These are all we wanted to share with you about how often do chickens lay eggs. Most of the commercial hens typically lay eggs daily, but some breeds lay less eggs. Eggs production of a hen typically depends on numerous factors. Hope this guide has helped you. Good luck and may God bless you!
