How many eggs?

How many eggs should I expect from 4, 1 year old Australorps?

Thanks! I'm averaging about 1 a day now. Is that the norm?

It depends on how much light they have. Make sure they have a lot of calcium.

That sounds right, but my laying hens generally miss a day every so often. As they get older, they will lay less.

Australorps are decent layers, but not as prolific as layer hybrids. When they first start laying you may see close to an egg a day, but you might realistically expect more like 3 or 4 a week per bird. Part of how good they lay is related to their genetics, in addition to things like light and nutrition.

Google the Henderson Chicken Chart, it shows productivity for different breeds. And is a fun read.

You should be getting about an egg a day each. Not sure from your post if you're getting one egg total or per bird. If one total, are they free ranging and hiding eggs?

donrae said:

You should be getting about an egg a day each. Not sure from your post if you're getting one egg total or per bird. If one total, are they free ranging and hiding eggs?

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I'm getting 1 from a total of 4 birds. Not each bird.

chickenlover09 said:

It depends on how much light they have. Make sure they have a lot of calcium.

That sounds right, but my laying hens generally miss a day every so often. As they get older, they will lay less.

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We are getting over 12 hours of light a day. They are on a good diet. And have plenty of oyster shell if needed.

1muttsfan said:

Australorps are decent layers, but not as prolific as layer hybrids. When they first start laying you may see close to an egg a day, but you might realistically expect more like 3 or 4 a week per bird. Part of how good they lay is related to their genetics, in addition to things like light and nutrition.

Google the Henderson Chicken Chart, it shows productivity for different breeds. And is a fun read.

Click to expand...

Yes I read about that. It's something like 250 eggs yearly average. They just started laying. They were late to mature. And then the winter...so it took them a while.

I was just wondering because it seems to be pretty much consistently...1 egg a day total. I was aiming for 2 a day or something lol. That way I could get at least a dozen a week from 4 hens.

And you should be getting that much. Are your hens confined, or might they lay in a hidden location? I would be concerned about an egg eatet, especially if you ever find eggs that are soiled with yolk.

1muttsfan said:

And you should be getting that much. Are your hens confined, or might they lay in a hidden location? I would be concerned about an egg eatet, especially if you ever find eggs that are soiled with yolk.

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Confined, couldn't be hiding eggs. But no on the egg eating. I collect multiple times a day and there has never been evidence or shells or yolk or stinky nest boxes. They are very clean birds actually! I've had experience with egg eating before (previous flock a couple years ago, these are all new birds) so I know the signs and what to watch for.

I just do not think they are laying well...to be 100% honest.

They get 16% layer crumble. Calf manna treats. Meal worms. Yogurt. Kale. Greens. Whatever there little fluffy butts desire... (in moderation not daily, very minuet amounts not enough to alter their diet.) I just mean I give them plenty if healthy treats.

They may do better as spring progresses. Not sure where you are but it was 12 degrees and snowing here, and my birds were not impressed.