How long can a chicken lay eggs

[Ukyou]

From reading posts every once and a while I will see someone mention a chicken laying 4 or more years. So I was curious which breeds seem to lay for the longest period of time? Or did you just have one special chicken that continued to lay for a much longer time.

 

[Domestic_goddess]

Well I don't know of paticular breed that will lay longer, but your going to get your best amount of eggs up to 3 years. After that it can sporatic for a few more years.

 

[CMV]

Check out this time line someone posted a while ago. Here's the link:

http://www.freewebs.com/professorchicken/timelineofachicken.htm

That should answer your question. Breed doesn't matter so much. A chicken is a chicken regardless of breed.

 

[gallusdomesticus]

A healthy hen will lay as long as she lives. After the 2nd year, they drop their egg production about 10% per year. A five year old hen will lay about half the rate of a first year layer. My six year old Barred Rock lays three eggs every two weeks.