laying hens

[kbeerice]

how long will the average hen keep up egg production? does breed matter?

 

[AmericanMom]

how long will the average hen keep up egg production? does breed matter?

I have heard breed matters.. Your standard sex links have been bred for egg production and they are machines... Ours quit laying by 3 years... We have BO's that are going on 4 years and still lay about 3-4 times a week... I'm not sure on the exact time limit for egg production but have heard they can lay for years although it may only be one or two a month?? Maybe someone else can chime in with better information for you

 

[ChickensRDinos]

The average is that a bird will start laying around 6 months and will lay well for about 3 years (they may keep laying here and there as they age but not consistently). But, these are just averages and there are lots of factors.

Commercial birds like Leghorns lay very well and will lay an egg a day, sometimes 2. They start younger, lay the most consistently, but are spent faster. Heritage birds tend to start laying a little later and might not lay quite as well as a commercial birds (ie not every single day) but will then continue laying a little longer.

Other factors that effect laying are whether or not you encourage your birds to lay through the winter, diet, broodiness, etc.

 

[kbeerice]

@ChickensRDinos first off, LOVE the username! lol
I have 5 Ameraucanas (Easter Eggers most likely), 10 barred rock, 5 Buff Orpington and I think one that got mixed with the Ameraucanas is a black sex link. they're all straight run and still only 1-2 weeks old. any information on their laying abilities?
and thank you for the previous information it was very helpful!

 

[ChickensRDinos]

Those all sound like good average layers. I do not have personal experience with those breeds other than EEs but I have read on the forums that those are all good birds. Are they all from a hatchery? Every bird is a little different but I think that expecting eggs around 5-6 months (if it is a little later for some don't worry!) and expecting good laying until they are about 3 years old would be a fair guess.

You might need to add a light in the coop during the winter if you want eggs year round.

 

[donrae]

I've never had a hen completely quit laying. I've had hatchery Easter eggers laying 3 eggs a week at 7 years old. After the 2 year old mark they quit laying in the winter--that's normal. They always start back up in the spring. I have two leghorn/ee crosses that have started laying again within the last few weeks, these ladies are 4 and 5 years old.