Chickens typically start laying eggs around 18 to 24 weeks of age, with many breeds beginning near 18 weeks and others closer to 20-24 weeks or even up to 28 weeks for some heritage breeds
. The exact timing depends on breed, environment, and individual bird readiness. Once mature, it takes a hen about 24 to 26 hours to produce and lay each egg. This process includes forming the yolk, egg white, membranes, and shell, with the longest stage being shell formation which takes about 20-21 hours
. After the egg is fully formed, the hen lays it, which usually takes just a few minutes. In their first year, healthy hens can lay almost one egg per day, totaling up to around 250 eggs annually, though production naturally declines with age and during molting periods
. Egg size starts small with the first eggs and increases as the hen matures
. Daylight exposure also affects laying frequency; hens need about 12-16 hours of light daily to maintain consistent egg production, with less laying during shorter daylight periods like winter
. In summary:
- Chickens start laying eggs at about 18-24 weeks old depending on breed and conditions.
- Each egg takes roughly 24-26 hours to form and be laid.
- Peak laying occurs in the first year with nearly daily eggs.
- Production slows as hens age or during molting and with shorter daylight hours.
