How Long Does A Chicken Lay Eggs? The Life Cycle of Laying Hens

As a backyard chicken keeper, knowing the laying cycle of hens is crucial to having a productive flock Hens go through distinct phases in their egg laying lifespan, which impacts how many eggs they produce. Let’s look at the details of a chicken’s laying cycle from start to finish

When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs?

Most chickens will begin laying eggs between 18-24 weeks of age. The exact timing depends on factors like breed diet and season.

• Heritage breed chickens typically start laying later, around 6-7 months. Common breeds like Rhode Island Reds may begin as early as 16-18 weeks.

• Nutrition is key – chickens on a high quality layer feed with sufficient protein will mature and start laying sooner.

• Season matters too. Long summer daylight triggers hormones for egg production. Chickens hatched in spring/summer often lay sooner.

Once a pullet is sexually mature, ovulation and egg laying begins. Hens will lay small or double yolk eggs at first as egg size increases gradually. After 4-8 weeks, large eggs become the norm.

Peak Egg Production

The peak laying period for chickens is generally their first 2 years. Here’s what to expect:

• In year 1, hen lay rate hits 30-40% initially then rises to 90%+ at peak. Max production varies from 250-300 eggs for production breeds to 150-180 for heritage breeds.

• Year 2 brings another prolific laying season but a slight decline to 220-270 eggs is normal. Shell quality may decrease a bit.

• By year 3, expect 180-220 eggs and increased shell issues. Hens are still productive but egg size and frequency drops as they age.

Feed quality, daylight hours, breed, and overall health impact actual amounts. Well cared for chickens can continue laying through age 8-10, just at reduced levels each year.

When Does Egg Production Decline?

Laying hens enter a natural decline phase starting around 2-3 years old. There are signs your flock’s egg production is slowing when you notice:

• Smaller eggs more often – as hens age, egg size shrinks

• More double yolks – ovulation gets irregular as eggs come less frequently

• Lower total eggs per week – older hens miss days or lay every other day rather than daily

• Molting lasts longer – spring and fall molts reduce laying significantly

• Odd shaped eggs – calcium for shells weakens over time

• Broody behavior – hens instinctually incubate eggs when productivity drops

As commercial flocks approach 75 weeks old, the energy spent on laying exceeds profits. Egg quantity and quality decline enough that older hens are “spent” and replaced by new pullets.

When Do Chickens Stop Laying Completely?

While individual health impacts longevity, most backyard chickens completely stop laying eggs between 4-8 years old.

Physical signs a hen has retired from laying include:

• Loss of pigment – bleached out vent, faded comb and wattles

• Enlarged comb – floppy, wrinkled, often pale comb

• Plumage quality declines – ragged, dull feathers

• Eggs cease – occasional soft shelled eggs or none at all

• Behavior changes – increased broodiness, less vocalizing

Retired hens still make wonderful pets and flock companions. They continue perching, dust bathing, foraging, and interacting. Just expect very limited egg production beyond 8 years old.

Maximizing a Hen’s Laying Lifespan

A backyard chicken may have 40 productive laying months or more with excellent care. Here are tips to support your hens:

• Choose breeds suited for laying like Rhode Island Reds or Leghorns

• Feed a complete layer feed with 16% protein, calcium, and key nutrients

• Supplement with calcium, grit for digestion, and fresh water

• Provide a minimum of 14 hours light in coop during winter

• Discourage broodiness to avoid lost egg production

• Control parasites, predators, disease with proper husbandry

• Avoid stress – give hens space, roosts, dust baths

• Cull very low producers around 3 years old to improve flock efficiency

• Add young pullets every 2-3 years to offset decline of older hens

Knowing what to expect during a chicken’s laying lifespan will help you maximize eggs your backyard flock produces. Follow their lead on retirement too – when the eggs dwindle, enjoy their antics as charming pets.

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.

Hens typically stop laying eggs regularly between 2 and 5 years old, with production slowing down after the first two years.