The length of time that a flock will produce eggs varies as well. Typical egg production curve and egg weight values for egg-laying flocks The flock comes into production quickly, peaks, and then slowly reduces the level of production. Figure 1 shows a typical egg production curve for a flock.

See the related article discussing the reproductive tract of a chicken for more information on the specifics of egg production.Īlso, hens in a flock do not all begin to lay on exactly the same day, nor do they continue laying for the same length of time. The hen will then skip a day or more before laying again. So a hen will lay later and later each day. Because a hen’s reproductive system is sensitive to light exposure, eventually the hen will lay too late in a day for its body to begin forming a new egg. A hen’s body begins forming an egg shortly after the previous egg is laid, and it takes 26 hours for an egg to form fully. The reasons for this laying schedule relate to the hen reproductive system. PRODUCTION EXPECTATIONS AND VARIABLES AFFECTING PRODUCTIONĪ hen can lay only one egg in a day and will have some days when it does not lay an egg at all. By having a firm grasp of these factors, you will help ensure the success of your flock. You should be able to identify which hens are laying and determine why your hens are not laying.

You need to know how to gauge the number of eggs your flock can produce and be aware of the variables that affect egg production. If you plan to start or have started raising chickens for egg production, you need to understand flock production capabilities.

Source: Jacquie Jacob, University of Kentucky

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