Eggs & Laying
Everything backyard chicken keepers need to know about eggs: when hens start laying, how many to expect, troubleshooting laying problems, egg colors, storage, washing, and incubation.
When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs?
Most hens start laying between 18 and 22 weeks. Learn the signs of point of lay, how timing varies by breed, and how to prepare your pullets for the first egg.
Read guide →How Many Eggs Do Chickens Lay?
A productive hen lays one egg a day and 250 to 300 a year at peak. See output by breed, what affects production, and how long hens keep laying.
Read guide →Why Did My Chickens Stop Laying Eggs?
Short daylight, molt, age, and stress are the usual culprits. Work through the common causes step by step and learn how to get your hens laying again.
Read guide →Chicken Egg Colors by Breed
Shell color is genetic and set by breed. See which chickens lay white, brown, blue, green, and dark chocolate eggs, and why color never affects taste.
Read guide →Collecting and Storing Fresh Chicken Eggs
Collect daily and store eggs right to keep them fresh for weeks. Learn washing, refrigeration, the float test, and how to freeze a spring surplus.
Read guide →Should You Wash Fresh Chicken Eggs?
Do not wash eggs before storage. Washing removes the protective bloom and shortens shelf life. Learn when and how to clean eggs the safe way.
Read guide →Soft and Thin-Shelled Eggs: Causes and Fixes
Soft, thin, or shell-less eggs almost always mean a calcium shortage. Learn the causes, how to fix shell quality with oyster shell, and when to worry.
Read guide →Weird Chicken Eggs Explained
Tiny yolkless eggs, double yolks, wrinkled shells, and more. Learn what causes the strangest eggs your hens lay and when an oddity actually matters.
Read guide →Do You Need a Rooster for Eggs?
No, hens lay without a rooster. A rooster is only needed for fertile eggs to hatch chicks. Learn fertile vs infertile eggs and whether to keep one.
Read guide →Winter Egg Laying: Keeping Hens Productive
Hens slow down in winter because of short daylight. Learn how light, water, and breed affect cold-season laying, and whether to add coop light.
Read guide →Candling Eggs: A Simple How-To Guide
Candling shines a bright light through an egg to see inside. Learn when to candle incubating eggs, how to read development, and how to spot a clear egg.
Read guide →Blood Spots in Eggs: Causes and Safety
Blood spots in eggs are harmless and safe to eat. Learn what causes them, how they differ from meat spots, and why they are not a sign of fertility.
Read guide →The Egg Float Test: Is Your Egg Still Fresh?
Drop an egg in water to check freshness: a sinker is fresh, a stander is older but good, a floater is too old. Learn how the float test works and when it misleads.
Read guide →How Long Do Fresh Eggs Last?
Unwashed eggs last two to three weeks on the counter and months in the fridge. See a full shelf-life chart for counter, fridge, frozen, and hard-boiled eggs.
Read guide →Do Fresh Eggs Need to Be Refrigerated?
Only washed eggs must be refrigerated. Unwashed eggs keep their bloom and store on the counter for weeks. Learn the simple rule and the US-versus-Europe reason.
Read guide →How to Store Fresh Eggs the Right Way
Store eggs unwashed and pointed end down, on a cool counter or in the fridge. Learn washing, rotation, fridge placement, and freezing your spring surplus.
Read guide →What to Do With Too Many Eggs
Swimming in eggs? Freeze, pickle, water glass, sell, share, or feed them back to your flock. The best ways to use up a backyard egg surplus before it spoils.
Read guide →Are Backyard Eggs Healthier Than Store Eggs?
Eggs from pastured hens often have more vitamins and omega-3s and richer yolks. Learn what truly makes an egg healthier and how diet drives the difference.
Read guide →Why Are My Eggs Small? Pullet Eggs Explained
Small eggs usually mean a young hen, her breed, or her diet. Learn why pullet eggs start small, when they grow, and how feed and stress affect egg size.
Read guide →How to Increase Egg Production in Your Hens
Boost laying with complete feed, free-choice calcium, fresh water, 14 to 16 hours of light, low stress, and clean nests. The full egg-production checklist.
Read guide →Egg & Laying Essentials
- Layer Feed Pellets - Complete 16% protein ration to support steady laying
- Oyster Shell Calcium - Free-choice calcium for strong, firm eggshells
- Metal Nesting Boxes - Roll-out boxes that keep eggs clean and intact
- Egg Candler Tester - Check development in incubating eggs or quality in eating eggs
Backyard Chicken Keepers Planner
10 printable worksheets to track your flock's health, eggs, feed, and coop care.
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