How Many Eggs Will You Get the First Year

In the first year a good laying chicken will provide about 20 dozen eggs. When your chicken is 1.5 years old it will begin to molt. All of her older feathers will fall out over a two to three month time period. Normally molting will occur during the fall. During the molt your chicken will produce few eggs and may stop laying temporarily while growing her new feathers. Once her new feathers are in place she will begin laying and the shiny appearance of her new feathers will be noticeable.

Your hen will now lay fewer eggs but they will be larger. You can expect to get about 16-18 dozens eggs in your second year. The exact number will vary because their are several factors; breed, strain, weather and also how well you take care of your hens.

Hens are most productive when the temperature is between 45 and 80 degrees F. When the temperature is above or below that, your hens will lay fewer eggs. You may also notice a thinning of the eggshell. Temperature plays an important part in your hens egg production.

Chickens need 14 hours of daylight in order to lay eggs. So you must have a light bulb in your coop to make up for the shorter amount of daylight during the winter. By supplementing the natural daylight with a light bulb and giving the chickens at least 14 hours of light then you will continue to have eggs all winter.