Number of eggs laid vs age of chicken?

[Renthorin]

So I've been reading that chickens lay more eggs when young and progressively fewer each year. I also know they have a finite number of ovum.

What causes the decrease in egg production?
If I encourage them to lay during the winter months via a lightbulb (not planning to do this) will I get more eggs over their lifespan?

If I let egg production drop during the winter will I get more eggs later in their lives?

Just trying to see if there is a pattern to this


Will

 

[ajay]

From what I understand, chickens lay x number of eggs. If you have them lay during the winter, it will decrease the number of years they lay, but the amount of eggs will equal out to someone who does not use extra light. Make sense?

 

[Renthorin]

I think so. That is what I was hoping would happen.

I hear of hens that are cycled out at 3 years because of lower production and I thought if I let them rest during the winter and not force them to lay, hopefully they will lay longer into their lifespan.

 

[ECBW]

Keep in mind that not all chickens are the same. Diet, weather, environment all can be factors. The pros rotate their flocks after 1-year of production because the laying rate will start to slow. Some will take vacations for months to molt. Quality of the eggs will become less predictable. Thin cells and soft cells are more frequent even there is calcium supplement.

 

[Renthorin]

But in general it's safe to assume that if I let the hens rest in the winter they won't burn through their ovum as quickly and will lay later in life, though at a decreased amount?

 

[ECBW]

Quote:
Sounds plausible, not sure if true. I used a dawn light over the winter and would say that the result was inconclusive. Although, the pros do it. I read the idea is that the extended time will allow the birds to feed more to replenish their energy, which is important in the cold winter. Some of mine laid and some stopped. They did not seem to lay or stop just because a light was turned on or off in the coop.