A productive hen lays roughly 4–6 eggs a week in her prime — but the real number depends on a handful of factors you can plan around.
What affects egg production
- Breed. The biggest factor. Leghorns and Australorps lay 280+ a year; ornamental breeds may lay 100 or fewer.
- Age. Hens lay best in their first two years, then taper off gradually.
- Daylight. Laying is triggered by light — production naturally slows in winter’s short days unless you add supplemental light.
- Molt. Once a year hens stop laying for a few weeks to regrow feathers. Totally normal.
- Nutrition & stress. A complete layer feed, fresh water, and a calm coop keep output steady.
The best laying breeds
If eggs are your priority, look at:
- Leghorn — ~290 white eggs a year, the classic production layer.
- Australorp — ~280 brown eggs, and friendlier than a Leghorn.
- Rhode Island Red — ~250 brown eggs, tough and reliable.
Want blue or chocolate-brown eggs instead? Filter by egg color and output in the Breed Finder.
Realistic expectation: even a great layer won’t give you an egg every single day, year-round. Plan for a seasonal dip and an annual molt.