First Egg Countdown

[chynasparks]

Thank you Happy Chooks, I'm not really set up to provide extra light. And since this is a hobby I just want my peeps to do what they do. I'm looking forward to eggs and like learning about them. By no means am I treating them like a toy-just had to get that said. I'm famous for soiling all my critters. Thanks for your input

 

[Too Fast]

So. I've wondered about this for a while.

Does a chicken have a set number of eggs she will lay in her lifetime? So if they are an early and prolific layer, does that mean they will stop laying early in life? Like, if a chicken will lay 800 eggs in her lifetime, if she stops or slows drastically in the winter, are those eggs coming out in another year?

I'd like to think that happy backyard chickens will lay eggs more years, with the total amount being the same, than production chickens do, since most large egg farms get rid of the laying hens after year 1, as egg production is about 80% of what it was the first year. I do know that egg farms also make sure the girls get about 14 hours of light year 'round, unlike most backyard chickens.


Or is it more like 300 eggs/year (leghorns, for example) then 250 the next year, then way less after that, would those 800 eggs be like 200 the first year, 200 the second year, then dropping production after that?


Happy Chooks, any thoughts?

 

[LadyCluck77]

So. I've wondered about this for a while.

Does a chicken have a set number of eggs she will lay in her lifetime?  So if they are an early and prolific layer, does that mean they will stop laying early in life?  Like, if a chicken will lay 800 eggs in her lifetime, if she stops or slows drastically in the winter, are those eggs coming out in another year?

I'd like to think that happy backyard chickens will lay eggs more years, with the total amount being the same, than production chickens do, since most large egg farms get rid of the laying hens after year 1, as egg production is about 80% of what it was the first year.  I do know that egg farms also make sure the girls get about 14 hours of light year 'round, unlike most backyard chickens.


Or is it more like 300 eggs/year (leghorns, for example) then 250 the next year, then way less after that, would those 800 eggs be like 200 the first year, 200 the second year, then dropping production after that?


Happy Chooks, any thoughts?

I would also love to read what Happy Chooks writes on this, here is an article about all the factors you weighed out
I am thinking I will not put artificial light in my coop this winter.
http://farmwifesdiary.blogspot.com/2012/01/chicks-hens-and-daylight.html

 

[MargaretYakoda]

So. I've wondered about this for a while.

Does a chicken have a set number of eggs she will lay in her lifetime? So if they are an early and prolific layer, does that mean they will stop laying early in life? Like, if a chicken will lay 800 eggs in her lifetime, if she stops or slows drastically in the winter, are those eggs coming out in another year?
chickens.

This calculator might help answer your question. http://www.chickenwaterer.com/v/vspfiles/assets/Chicken Calculator 2/Chicken Calculator.htm

 

[Too Fast]

^^^Thanks Lady and Margaret, that helps. I'm not putting any light in my coop either this winter. My first eggs started this past June, and we are getting about 33 eggs/week from 7 girls, I think only 5 are laying. 2 white leghorns, 2 sex-links, 1 New Hampshire, 1 Silver Laced Wyandotte and1 Favorelles. I think the New Hampshire and the Favorelles are not yet laying. I've stopped keeping track of my eggs, usually 5/day since mid-July.

 

[Happy Chooks]

So. I've wondered about this for a while.

Does a chicken have a set number of eggs she will lay in her lifetime? So if they are an early and prolific layer, does that mean they will stop laying early in life? Like, if a chicken will lay 800 eggs in her lifetime, if she stops or slows drastically in the winter, are those eggs coming out in another year?

I'd like to think that happy backyard chickens will lay eggs more years, with the total amount being the same, than production chickens do, since most large egg farms get rid of the laying hens after year 1, as egg production is about 80% of what it was the first year. I do know that egg farms also make sure the girls get about 14 hours of light year 'round, unlike most backyard chickens.


Or is it more like 300 eggs/year (leghorns, for example) then 250 the next year, then way less after that, would those 800 eggs be like 200 the first year, 200 the second year, then dropping production after that?


Happy Chooks, any thoughts?

I do believe a chicken is born with all the eggs it can produce, just like a female human is born with all the eggs she can produce. There is some evidence that the hybrid production breeds will lay far more eggs initially, but burn out earlier. Now whether the chicken lives long enough to lay all the eggs she contains is another issue. That would depend on the security of your flock: whether you free range, predators, etc. That is the debate between those that add light and those that do not.

I have some hens that are 4 1/2 years old. A couple still lay 5 days a week. Others haven't laid all summer.

Egg production is the highest the first year, then falls a bit the 2nd (likely because this is when they will molt, and they cannot lay while molting), then starts dropping more sharply in the third year - and so on.

 

[marnette]

It was a double yolk!!!

 

[chynasparks]

So, if you don't add light to stimulate egg laying, will it delay "burn out" will she produce longer? Providing she remains healthy that is.

 

[Happy Chooks]

So, if you don't add light to stimulate egg laying, will it delay "burn out" will she produce longer? Providing she remains healthy that is.

I believe it does. If she doesn't lay as much through winter, then logically, she'd have those eggs to lay later in life. It really depends on your goals for your flock. If your primary concern is getting eggs, you add light. I prefer to raise my chickens naturally, so I don't add light.

 

[Too Fast]

Thanks everybody! We prefer they live their life naturally also, and we are not interested in max egg production. We are hoping for happy, long life chickens! If they slow down during the winter months, so be it.

And congrats, marnette!