How Many Eggs Do Chickens Lay Per Day?
A practical guide to egg production by breed, season, and age. Includes daily, weekly, and yearly averages for backyard flocks.
February 28, 2026
Quick answer: Most backyard hens lay 4-6 eggs per week (roughly one every 25-27 hours). Actual numbers depend on breed, age, season, and care.
Egg Production by Breed
| Breed | Eggs/Year | Eggs/Week | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leghorn | 280-320 | 5-6 | Top producer, white eggs |
| Rhode Island Red | 250-300 | 5-6 | Hardy all-rounder |
| Australorp | 250-300 | 5-6 | Calm, great layers |
| Plymouth Rock | 200-250 | 4-5 | Friendly, dual-purpose |
| Sussex | 200-250 | 4-5 | Good foragers |
| Easter Egger | 200-250 | 4-5 | Blue/green eggs |
| Orpington | 175-200 | 3-4 | Fluffy, go broody often |
| Silkie | 100-120 | 2-3 | More pet than layer |
High-production breeds (Leghorns, Rhode Island Reds, Australorps) are best if eggs are the priority. Heritage breeds lay fewer but tend to be hardier.
What Affects Production?
Age
- Hens start laying at 18-24 weeks
- Year one is peak production
- Expect 10-15% decline per year after that
- A 280-egg hen in year one → ~240 in year two → ~200 in year three
Daylight
Chickens need 14-16 hours of light for peak laying. Winter's short days naturally slow production. You can add a light on a timer in the coop, or let your hens take a seasonal break — both approaches are common.
Nutrition
- 16-18% protein layer feed as the staple
- Oyster shell offered free-choice for calcium
- Poor nutrition = fewer eggs and thin shells
Stress & Molting
Predator scares, overcrowding, extreme weather, or new flock members can pause laying temporarily.
Once a year (usually fall), hens molt — shedding and regrowing feathers over 8-16 weeks. Most stop laying completely during this time. It's normal.
How Many Hens Do You Need?
| Household | Hens Needed | Expected Eggs/Week |
|---|---|---|
| Family of 2 | 3-4 | ~12 (a dozen) |
| Family of 4 | 5-6 | ~24 (two dozen) |
| Eggs + sharing | 8-12 | ~36+ |
Build in a buffer — not every hen lays every day, and production dips seasonally.
Tracking Production
A daily egg count helps you spot problems early. If reliable layers suddenly drop off, it could mean:
- Health issues
- Stress from predators or environmental changes
- Hidden nests (free-range hens love secret laying spots)
- Nutritional gaps
Even a simple daily log — date, count, notes — gives you valuable data over time. Tools like Homestead Planner let you log eggs per flock and see averages at a glance, but a notebook works too.