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How long do leghorns lay

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by mystang89, Mar 11, 2012.

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  1. Mar 11, 2012 #1
    mystang89

    mystang89 Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Jul 12, 2011
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    I bought these leghorns in the middle of July of last year and they had just started to lay at that time. I was wondering how long I should expect an egg every day like she has been given me. I've heard different things. Some say that should only last for 1 year going everyday then start trailing off and others say 2 years then start trailing off. It should also be noted that I keep a light on in their coop to to give at least 14 hours of "sunlight" so they don't fully molt as others do without the artificial sunlight.
     
  3. Mar 11, 2012 #2
    howfunkyisurchicken

    howfunkyisurchicken Overrun With Chickens

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    Apr 11, 2011
    Tn
    This is my own personal opinion, so take it with a grain of salt if you must. With my own hens, the girls that lay more consistently seem to fizzle out faster. While my heritage breeds, who lay well but not everyday (and take longer to mature) seem to lay longer. I've also *heard* that adding a light to the coop and extending their days can actually shorten their lifespan. I don't use lights in my coop, so I have no idea how much truth there is to that. I have a 6 year old hen who still lays 2-3 (ugly, wrinkled) eggs a week. She's not an egg breed though, she's a duel purpose (Chentechler). Good luck.
     
  4. Mar 11, 2012 #3
    lambchicks

    lambchicks Chillin' With My Peeps

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    May 21, 2009
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    Mine layed almost every day till she started to molt at 1.5 years (Oct 2011). She had just started to lay again in January when my dog killed her. She was more reliable than my red sex-links.
     

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