Egg Production by Age Chart for Laying Hens
An egg production by age chart: first eggs at 18 to 22 weeks, peak laying in years 1 to 2, then a 10 to 20 percent yearly decline, plus what affects output.
Quick answer: Hens lay their first eggs around 18 to 22 weeks of age, then peak in their first 1 to 2 years, when top breeds lay 250 to 300 eggs a year. After that, production declines by roughly 10 to 20 percent each year. Many hens keep laying, more sparsely, into their fifth to seventh year. Daylight, diet, molting, and season all shift output, with the most eggs coming from young hens during the long days of spring and summer.
Use the chart below to see how laying changes through a hen's life.
Egg production follows a predictable arc: a fast rise to a high peak, then a gradual, year-by-year decline. Knowing that arc helps you plan a flock that keeps the basket full and sets realistic expectations for any hen's age. The chart below maps output from the first egg through the senior years.
Egg Production by Age
| Age | Stage | Typical Output |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 17 weeks | Growing pullet | No eggs yet |
| 18 to 22 weeks | Point of lay, first eggs | Ramping up; small, sometimes irregular eggs |
| Year 1 | Peak production | Highest; up to 250 to 300 eggs for top breeds |
| Year 2 | Just past peak | Near peak; slightly fewer, often larger eggs |
| Year 3 | Gradual decline | About 10 to 20 percent fewer than year 1 |
| Years 4 to 5 | Slowing | A fraction of peak; longer molt and winter breaks |
| Years 6+ | Sparse | Occasional eggs; many hens still healthy |
These figures assume good health, proper feed, and adequate daylight. Breed makes a big difference: high-output hybrids start higher and fall off faster, while dual-purpose and heritage breeds lay more modestly but often more steadily over more years.
What Changes Egg Output
- Daylight: hens need about 14 to 16 hours of light to lay well, so winter slows production.
- Molting: the annual fall molt pauses laying while feathers regrow.
- Age: output declines roughly 10 to 20 percent each year after the peak.
- Diet: complete layer feed plus oyster shell and constant water are essential.
- Stress and health: predators, moves, crowding, parasites, and illness all reduce laying.
Keeping the Basket Full
Because production is front-loaded, many keepers add a few new pullets every year or two so younger, higher-output hens offset the natural decline of older birds. Feed a complete layer ration, offer free-choice oyster shell, provide grit, and keep clean water available at all times. Some keepers add winter coop lighting on a timer to maintain production, while others let hens rest naturally; both are valid choices.
These are typical ranges, not guarantees, and individual hens vary. A sudden drop in laying outside of molt or winter can signal stress, poor nutrition, or illness, so investigate the cause. For health concerns, consult a poultry veterinarian or your local agricultural extension office. This chart is educational and complements that hands-on care.
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Frequently Asked Questions
At what age do hens start laying eggs?
Most hens lay their first egg between 18 and 22 weeks of age, a stage called point of lay. Lighter laying breeds and hybrids often start earlier, around 16 to 18 weeks, while large dual-purpose and heritage breeds may wait until 24 to 28 weeks or more. Daylight matters too, since pullets reaching maturity as days shorten in fall may delay laying until spring. The first eggs are usually small, sometimes oddly shaped, and may come irregularly for a few weeks before the hen settles into a steady rhythm.
How many eggs does a hen lay per year?
A productive hen in her prime lays roughly 250 to 300 eggs in her first full year for top laying breeds, while many common backyard and dual-purpose breeds lay closer to 180 to 260. High-output commercial hybrids can reach 300 to 320. Output is highest in year one, then declines by about 10 to 20 percent each year as the hen ages. Breed, diet, daylight, health, and season all influence the total, so think of these as typical ranges rather than guarantees for any individual bird.
When do hens lay the most eggs?
Hens lay the most during their first year of laying, which begins around 18 to 22 weeks, with strong production continuing into the second year. This early window is the peak. After the first adult molt, usually around 15 to 18 months of age, laying resumes but each following year brings somewhat fewer eggs. Spring and summer also bring more eggs than fall and winter because of longer daylight. So the most productive combination is a young hen, in her first or second year, laying through the long days of spring.
Why has my hen stopped laying?
Several normal things pause laying. The biggest are the annual molt, when hens divert energy to regrowing feathers, and short winter daylight, since hens need roughly 14 to 16 hours of light to lay well. Age also reduces output year by year. Other causes include stress from predators, a move, or crowding, broodiness, poor nutrition or low calcium, illness, and parasites. Check for a molt, count the daylight hours, confirm the diet and water, and rule out stress and illness. Often laying resumes on its own once the cause passes.
Do hens lay eggs in winter?
Laying naturally slows or stops in winter for many hens because they need about 14 to 16 hours of daylight to lay well, and short winter days fall below that. Cold itself matters less than light. Some keepers add supplemental coop lighting to maintain winter production, using a timer to extend the day to around 14 hours, though others prefer to let hens rest naturally through winter. Younger hens in their first winter often keep laying better than older birds. Either approach is fine; it depends on your goals for your flock.
Does feed affect egg production?
Yes, strongly. Laying hens need a complete layer feed with adequate protein, around 16 to 18 percent, and enough calcium for strong shells, plus a separate dish of crushed oyster shell so hens can top up as needed. Too many treats or scratch grains dilute the diet and can lower production and shell quality. Constant access to clean water is essential, since even short water shortages cut laying. Grit supports digestion of anything beyond complete feed. Get the diet right and you remove nutrition as a limit on laying.
How long do hens keep laying as they age?
Hens keep laying for several years, but output drops steadily after the peak first one to two years, declining roughly 10 to 20 percent annually. Many hens still lay into their fifth, sixth, or seventh year, just far fewer eggs, with longer breaks during molts and winter. Some very old hens lay only a handful of eggs a year. Because production is front-loaded, keepers who want a steady supply often add new pullets every year or two while keeping older hens as valued, if less productive, flock members.
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