How Many Eggs Does a Chicken Lay? A Beginners Guide
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The quick answer to “how many eggs does a chicken lay?” is, on average, 150–320 eggs per year, depending on breed, age, nutrition and environmental factors. In this post, we’ll attempt to answer this extremely common question in more detail, based on our own experience of keeping chickens for over 10 years.
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1. How many eggs does a hen lay in a year?
The short answer to this common question is, roughly, 150–320 eggs per year, depending on breed, age, nutrition and environmental factors. The comparison table below lists the 10 best egg-laying chickens in the UK, focusing on maximum annual egg production and adaptability to UK climates.
| Breed | Eggs per Year | UK Climate Suitability |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Isa Brown | 300–320 | Excellent |
| 2. Hybrids | 300–320 | Excellent |
| 3. Leghorn | 250–300 | Good |
| 4. Rhode Island Red | 260–280 | Excellent |
| 5. Australorp | 250–280 | Excellent |
| 6. Sussex | 240–260 | Excellent |
| 7. Plymouth Rock | 200–250 | Excellent |
| 8. Welsummer | 180–220 | Excellent |
| 9. Marans | 180–200 | Good |
| 10. Orpington | 150–200 | Excellent |
2. Why do chickens lay eggs?
Like all birds, chickens have evolved to lay eggs as a means of reproducing without carrying their developing offspring inside their bodies, which could make them vulnerable to predators.
Eggs can also be laid in safe locations, such as in trees or on clifftops where they are safe from most predators, improving the survival rate of chicks that hatch out. In this way, birds can produce more offspring over time, increasing their chances of survival.
Unlike most other bird species, chickens can lay eggs without the need of a cockerel (male chicken). In rare cases, an unfertilised chicken egg may even develop into a chick! This is a phenomenon known as parthenogenesis (Greek for “virgin birth”). Though rare in birds and other vertebrates, parthenogenesis is more common with invertebrate species and some insects, such as honeybees.
3. How many eggs can a chicken lay in a day?
A chicken’s reproductive system can take 24–26 hours to produce a single egg. This typically means that most hens lay one egg per day during warmer months, but this can differ from breed to breed.
Some hens lay less frequently and egg production in all chickens will decrease (or stop completely!) during winter months or when the hen is broody, moulting (renewing its feathers) or getting old.
4. When do chickens start laying eggs?
In most cases, layer hens are sold when they are between 16 and 20 weeks old. This is known as point of lay (POL), which just means the hen is on the cusp of laying. Often, POL hens will have very pale wattles and comb, which will gradually turn a richer red, as a hen gets closer to laying (usually 3-4 weeks).
Immature hens can lay some odd-shaped eggs to start with, sometimes without shells (we’ve even seen eggs that have another egg inside!). But, as a hen matures, she will begin to lay more normal looking eggs and more frequently, until she reaches her one-a-day capacity.
Many chicken keepers (ourselves included) have noticed that producing her first egg seems to be a rite of passage for a hen, who may strut around clucking loudly, as if to celebrate the moment..
5. Why do hens stop laying eggs?
Hens may stop laying eggs for a number of reasons, including age, moulting, stress, illness, seasonal and environmental changes and many other reasons that are too numerous to list here. But the most common factors are:
- Broodiness: This is an obsessive behaviour wherein a hen stops laying and, instead, tries to incubate and hatch out her egg (along with any other eggs left in the nest box). Typically, a sitting hen will abandon her egg when she becomes bored or hungry, but a broody hen will sit on eggs (even if they are not her own) for days or even weeks. During this time, starvation is a real danger and the chicken keeper must take steps to break the cycle of broodiness so as to avoid the chicken starving to death. Broody hens also tend to become more aggressive towards both the chicken keeper and other hens and will defend their nest, violently if necessary.
- Moulting: Hens usually moult once a year (but sometimes more often), shedding their old feathers while growing new ones. Egg production usually ceases during this time (sometimes for several months), as moulting is a stressful process that can take time to recover from. Moulting will often make a hen feel quite unwell and, for obvious reasons, will make her more susceptible to the cold. So, it’s important that the chicken keeper ensures a moulting hen has enough food and shelter during colder periods.
- Winter: The onset of winter, with its cold days and dark nights, will usually see a stark decrease in a chicken’s egg production. As frustrating as this may be to the chicken keeper, this seasonal rest period is vital to the chicken’s health and longevity. It should not be interfered with by the introduction of artificial light (which triggers continuous laying), a common practice in commercial egg production.
- Age: After about 3 – 5 years, depending on the breed, egg production slows to a gradual stop, as a hen enters her senior years. However, even when a chicken stops laying eggs, she may still be a valuable member of the flock, who may see her as a matriarch and even the “top bird”. Older hens also play an important role in teaching younger birds how to do daily chicken tasks and how to find and recognise food. She will also contribute to her flock’s overall social cohesion and security, reducing stress and anxiety among younger hens.
| Factor | Description | Egg Production | Action Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broodiness | An obsessive behaviour where a hen stops laying and tries to incubate eggs (even if not her own). Broody hens may sit for days or weeks, risking starvation. They become more aggressive and defensive during this time. | Egg production ceases entirely. | Break broodiness by removing the hen from the nest, using a brood cage, or blocking access to nesting boxes. Monitor her health closely to prevent starvation. |
| Moulting | Annual process where hens shed old feathers and grow new ones. It is stressful, can make hens feel unwell and increases vulnerability to cold. | Ceases during moulting, sometimes for months. | Provide high-protein food and shelter, especially in cold weather, to aid recovery and keep the hen warm. |
| Winter | Cold weather and shorter days cause a natural decline in egg production. This seasonal rest is vital for the hen’s health and longevity. | Decreases significantly or stops entirely. | Ensure adequate shelter, warmth, and nutrition to support the hens through their resting period. Do not use artificial lighting to force laying! |
| Age | Hens slow egg production around 3–5 years old, eventually stopping as they age. Older hens can still contribute as flock leaders, teaching younger birds and maintaining social cohesion. | Gradually slows and eventually stops. | Value older hens for their roles in the flock as matriarchs and teachers. Ensure they have a comfortable environment, even if they’re no longer laying eggs. They deserve it! |
6. Which hens lay the most eggs
The best egg layers are typically modern hybrid breeds that have bred specifically for high egg production. These hens often lay more consistently than traditional breeds. That said, traditional farmyard birds like Rhode Island Reds and Leghorns are also known for being prolific layers. Hybrid breeds we have kept and recommend include:
Blue Haze 
A robust hybrid breed known for being a prolific egg-layer of around 300 eggs per year. She has beautiful blue-grey plumage, bright red wattles and comb and soft, sleek feathers. Blue Haze is a tough old bird with a pleasant temperament, making her an excellent choice for first-time poultry keepers.
Gingernut Ranger Gingernut is a hybrid cross between a Rhode Island Red and a Light Sussex. She has reddish feathers, red wattles and comb and an upward pointing tail. A prolific egg layer that produces over 300 large brown eggs annually, Gingernuts are good natured birds who will often follow you around the garden.
Speckledy
Another popular hybrid breed, primarily valued for her egg-laying capabilities and attractive appearance. Speckledys are a cross between a Rhode Island Red and a Marans, inheriting qualities from both. Speckledy is a good all-rounder, valued for her beauty and consistent egg-laying (approx. 300 per year).
Rhode Rock
A hybrid breed that’s particularly favoured in the UK. Known for her excellent egg production (around 300 eggs per year), hardiness, friendly nature and attractive black/brown plumage. She is a cross between a Rhode Island Red and a Plymouth Rock, hence the name.
Our Happy Girls
Top to bottom: Dolly Bird, Big Bird and Angry Bird (because she always attacks my husband!). We couldn’t live without them now. After over 10 years of keeping chickens, we couldn’t imagine going out into our garden and not being met by their enthusiastic greetings. They play an important role in helping us maintain our sustainable lifestyle and they are a critical part of our garden’s natural ecosystem.
7. Conclusion
The number of eggs a chicken lays depends on factors such as breed, age, seasonal changes and moulting. Hybrid breeds tend to be more prolific layers and can produce up to 320 eggs per year. Though, as said, traditional breeds like Sussex and Rhode Island Reds can also offer good egg production.
Age becomes the most limiting factor in egg production as hens get older, but they continue to be important as matriarchs, teaching younger birds, while enhancing social cohesion and flock security.
When chickens are kept as part of a sustainable lifestyle, it goes far beyond the counting of eggs. With proper care, your hens will reward you with not just fresh eggs, but also in entertainment, pest control and rich compost for years to come.
