One question I get asked a lot is, “How long will your chickens live?” As you know, my chickens are more than just egg layers—they’re my pets. While they provide us with delicious eggs, they bring so much more joy to my life!.
I’ve had my current flock for over 5 ½ years, and I’m incredibly attached to many of my birds. So, when people ask about the average lifespan of a chicken, it always makes my heart beat a little faster.
As a backyard chicken keeper, knowing the laying cycle of hens is crucial to having a productive flock Hens go through distinct phases in their egg laying lifespan, which impacts how many eggs they produce. Let’s look at the details of a chicken’s laying cycle from start to finish
When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs?
A chicken will start laying eggs when it is 18 to 24 weeks old. The exact time depends on things like the breed’s diet and the time of year.
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Heritage breed chickens typically start laying later, around 6-7 months. Common breeds like Rhode Island Reds may begin as early as 16-18 weeks.
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Nutrition is key – chickens on a high quality layer feed with sufficient protein will mature and start laying sooner.
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Season matters too. Long summer daylight triggers hormones for egg production. Chickens hatched in spring/summer often lay sooner.
When a pullet is sexually mature, it starts to ovulate and lay eggs. At first, hens will lay small eggs with two yolks. Over time, the eggs will get bigger. After 4-8 weeks, large eggs become the norm.
Peak Egg Production
The peak laying period for chickens is generally their first 2 years. Here’s what to expect:
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The hen lay rate starts at 30–40% in 2021 and then rises to 90% at its highest point. Maximum egg production ranges from 250 to 300 eggs for production breeds and 150 to 180 eggs for heritage breeds.
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Year 2 brings another prolific laying season but a slight decline to 220-270 eggs is normal. Shell quality may decrease a bit.
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By year 3, expect 180-220 eggs and increased shell issues. Hens are still productive but egg size and frequency drops as they age.
Feed quality, daylight hours, breed, and overall health impact actual amounts. Well cared for chickens can continue laying through age 8-10, just at reduced levels each year.
When Does Egg Production Decline?
Laying hens enter a natural decline phase starting around 2-3 years old. There are signs your flock’s egg production is slowing when you notice:
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Smaller eggs more often – as hens age, egg size shrinks
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More double yolks – ovulation gets irregular as eggs come less frequently
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Lower total eggs per week – older hens miss days or lay every other day rather than daily
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Molting lasts longer – spring and fall molts reduce laying significantly
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Odd shaped eggs – calcium for shells weakens over time
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Broody behavior – hens instinctually incubate eggs when productivity drops
As commercial flocks approach 75 weeks old, the energy spent on laying exceeds profits. Egg quantity and quality decline enough that older hens are “spent” and replaced by new pullets.
When Do Chickens Stop Laying Completely?
While individual health impacts longevity, most backyard chickens completely stop laying eggs between 4-8 years old.
Physical signs a hen has retired from laying include:
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Loss of pigment – bleached out vent, faded comb and wattles
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Enlarged comb – floppy, wrinkled, often pale comb
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Plumage quality declines – ragged, dull feathers
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Eggs cease – occasional soft shelled eggs or none at all
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Behavior changes – increased broodiness, less vocalizing
Retired hens still make wonderful pets and flock companions. They continue perching, dust bathing, foraging, and interacting. Just expect very limited egg production beyond 8 years old.
Maximizing a Hen’s Laying Lifespan
A backyard chicken may have 40 productive laying months or more with excellent care. Here are tips to support your hens:
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Choose breeds suited for laying like Rhode Island Reds or Leghorns
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Feed a complete layer feed with 16% protein, calcium, and key nutrients
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Supplement with calcium, grit for digestion, and fresh water
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Provide a minimum of 14 hours light in coop during winter
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Discourage broodiness to avoid lost egg production
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Control parasites, predators, disease with proper husbandry
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Avoid stress – give hens space, roosts, dust baths
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Cull very low producers around 3 years old to improve flock efficiency
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Add young pullets every 2-3 years to offset decline of older hens
Knowing what to expect during a chicken’s laying lifespan will help you maximize eggs your backyard flock produces. Follow their lead on retirement too – when the eggs dwindle, enjoy their antics as charming pets.
How Long Do Chickens Typically Live?
A chicken usually lives between 5 and 10 years, but this can change depending on where they live, what they eat, their genes, how well they are cared for, and even the pecking order. I’ve been lucky to have a healthy flock, which I attribute to good genetics and using Strong Animals Chicken Essentials. While I’ve lost a couple of chickens due to natural causes, most of my flock has thrived.
Roxanne has a personality you won’t forget!
My Backyard Flock: A Blend of Breeds
In my backyard flock, we have many different breeds. We have multiple heritage breeds and some hybrids. I don’t own any landrace breeds, but I’d love to get some Swedish Flower Hens. My sister actually ended up with a Cornish Cross Hen, who we thought was a Leghorn rooster as a chick. Haha! She named her “Doug” which is so confusing, but she really thought she was a rooster. Doug happily lives with all of her other laying hens and is 4 years old! This is not very common, but super fun.
How Long Do Hens Keep Laying? | 2 Minute Quick Tip
FAQ
How long will backyard chickens lay eggs?
Hens start laying eggs when they are about six months old and do so for up to ten years, with the most eggs being laid in the first two years. They will lay roughly six eggs each week. Every year, when the hens molt (lose their feathers in the early fall) and when the days get shorter, they lay fewer eggs.
What is the 90/10 rule for chickens?
The “90/10 rule” for chickens refers to a feeding guideline that recommends 90% of a chicken’s daily diet should be a complete feed, while the remaining 10% can be treats.
At what age do hens stop laying eggs?
Between the ages of 2 and 5 years, hens stop laying eggs regularly. After the first two years, production slows down.
Can you eat chickens after they stop laying?
Yes, you can eat an old chicken after it stops laying eggs, but the meat is often tougher compared to younger chickens. Hens that are no longer productive in laying eggs are typically older and have more developed muscles, which can lead to tougher meat.