Egg Laying by Breed Chart: Eggs Per Year & Start Age
A chicken egg laying chart by breed: eggs per year, eggs per week, age at first egg, broodiness, and winter laying for popular backyard breeds, plus what affects output.
Quick answer: A productive backyard hen lays about 200 to 300 eggs in her first full year, roughly four to six a week, and starts laying around 18 to 22 weeks of age. The biggest layers are Leghorns and sex-link hybrids (Golden Comets, ISA Browns) at 280 to 320 eggs a year. Heavier breeds like Brahmas, Cochins, and Silkies lay far fewer, often 100 to 200. Output drops each year with age and slows in winter as daylight shortens.
Use the chart below to estimate eggs per week, when a breed starts laying, and how broody it tends to be.
If you keep chickens for eggs, knowing how much each breed lays helps you plan a flock that meets your needs. The chart below shows typical first-year egg production, eggs per week at peak, the age a breed usually starts laying, how broody it tends to get, and whether it commonly lays through winter. These are typical ranges for healthy hens in good conditions. Actual numbers vary with age, daylight, diet, health, and the individual bird, and all hens lay best in their first two years.
Egg Laying by Breed Chart
| Breed | Eggs / Year | Eggs / Week (peak) | Starts Laying | Broodiness | Winter Layer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Comet / ISA Brown (sex-link) | 280-320 | 5-6 | 16-18 wk | Low | Often |
| White Leghorn | 250-300 | 5-6 | 16-18 wk | Low | Often |
| Australorp | 250-300 | 5-6 | 18-20 wk | Moderate | Often |
| Rhode Island Red | 200-300 | 5-6 | 18-20 wk | Low | Often |
| Plymouth Rock (Barred) | 200-280 | 4-5 | 18-20 wk | Moderate | Sometimes |
| Easter Egger | 200-280 | 4-5 | 18-20 wk | Low | Sometimes |
| Sussex | 200-250 | 4-5 | 18-20 wk | Moderate | Often |
| Wyandotte | 200-240 | 4 | 18-20 wk | Moderate | Often |
| Welsummer | 160-250 | 4 | 20-24 wk | Low | Sometimes |
| Orpington (Buff) | 180-250 | 4 | 20-24 wk | High | Sometimes |
| Ameraucana | 150-200 | 3-4 | 20-24 wk | Low | Sometimes |
| Marans | 150-200 | 3-4 | 20-24 wk | Moderate | Sometimes |
| Polish | 150-200 | 3-4 | 20-24 wk | Low | Rarely |
| Brahma | 150-200 | 3-4 | 24+ wk | Moderate | Often |
| Cochin | 150-180 | 2-3 | 24+ wk | High | Sometimes |
| Silkie | 100-120 | 2-3 | 20-24 wk | Very high | Rarely |
The pattern is clear: high-output layers tend to start younger, lay nearly daily at peak, and rarely go broody, since broodiness pauses laying. Breeds prone to going broody, like Silkies, Cochins, and Orpingtons, lay fewer eggs but make excellent natural mothers if you want to hatch chicks. Cold-hardy heavy breeds often keep laying better through winter than lighter breeds, but no breed maintains summer rates through the shortest, darkest days without supplemental light.
How to Get the Most Eggs From Your Flock
- Provide 14 to 16 hours of light. Add a timed coop light in winter if you want to maintain production.
- Feed a complete layer ration. Adequate protein and calcium are essential for steady laying and strong shells.
- Keep water available. An egg is mostly water, so a hen short on water stops laying fast.
- Reduce stress. Predator scares, crowding, heat, and frequent flock changes all cut egg numbers.
- Choose the right breed. If eggs are the goal, pick proven layers rather than ornamental breeds.
Egg production naturally rises and falls with the seasons, molt, and a hen's age, so do not be alarmed by normal pauses. A sudden flock-wide drop, soft-shelled eggs, or signs of illness do warrant a closer look. For persistent laying problems, your local agricultural extension office and a poultry veterinarian can help diagnose nutrition, parasite, or health issues. This chart is educational and complements that hands-on care.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many eggs does a chicken lay per year?
A productive backyard hen lays roughly 200 to 300 eggs in her first full year, which works out to around four to six eggs a week at peak. Top production breeds and hybrids like Leghorns, Australorps, and sex-links can exceed 300, while heavier ornamental breeds may lay 100 to 200. Egg numbers depend heavily on breed, age, daylight, diet, and health. Hens lay best in their first two years and gradually slow with age, so the year-one figure is the high point most keepers can expect.
At what age do chickens start laying eggs?
Most hens begin laying at about 18 to 22 weeks of age, a stage keepers call point of lay, though it varies by breed. Lighter, faster-maturing breeds and hybrids like Leghorns and Golden Comets often start around 16 to 18 weeks, while heavy breeds such as Brahmas and Cochins can take 24 weeks or more. The first eggs are usually small and may be irregular as the hen's system warms up. Adequate daylight and a complete layer feed at point of lay help hens get started reliably.
How long do chickens lay eggs?
Hens lay most prolifically in their first two years, then production gradually declines by roughly 10 to 20 percent each year as they age. Many hens keep laying at a reduced rate for five to seven years or more, and they can live well beyond that as pets. A hen does not simply stop on a set date; instead her output tapers, with fewer eggs and longer breaks, especially around molt and in winter. Heritage breeds often lay longer at a slower pace than high-output hybrids that burn bright early.
Why do chickens stop laying in winter?
Egg production is driven by daylight. Hens need roughly 14 to 16 hours of light a day to lay consistently, so as days shorten in fall and winter, laying naturally slows or stops. Molt, which often happens in autumn, also pauses laying while the hen regrows feathers. Some keepers add supplemental coop lighting on a timer to maintain winter laying, while others let hens rest naturally, which many believe supports longer-term health. Cold itself does not stop laying as long as water stays liquid and the birds are healthy.
What affects how many eggs a hen lays?
The biggest factors are breed and age, but daylight, nutrition, health, and stress all play major roles. Hens need 14 to 16 hours of light, a complete layer feed with adequate calcium, fresh water, and a calm environment to lay their best. Molt, broodiness, extreme heat, illness, parasites, and predator stress all reduce or pause laying. Older hens lay fewer eggs each year. To maximize production, provide good feed and water, manage daylight, keep the flock healthy and low-stress, and choose productive breeds.
Do hybrid hens lay more eggs than purebreds?
Generally yes. Sex-link hybrids such as Golden Comets, ISA Browns, and Cinnamon Queens are specifically bred for high output and often lay 300 or more eggs in their first year, more than most purebred heritage hens. The trade-off is that hybrids tend to lay intensely early and then decline faster, and they do not breed true, so their chicks will not match the parents. Heritage breeds usually lay fewer eggs per year but maintain production over more years, which some keepers prefer for a longer-lived, sustainable flock.
How can I tell if a hen is currently laying?
A laying hen typically has a bright red, full comb and wattles, a moist and enlarged vent, and a wide gap between her pubic bones, often two to three fingers wide. Non-laying or molting hens have paler combs, a smaller dry vent, and a narrower pelvic gap. Laying hens are also usually more active and have a bleached look to the beak and legs in yellow-skinned breeds, since pigment shifts to the eggs. These signs together give a reliable read on whether a hen is in lay.
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