If you've had chickens for a while, you likely know this story:
You’re in your pajamas, walking toward the chicken coop with a basket full of expectation. After saying good morning to your feathered besties, you open the first nesting box to find two beautiful brown eggs. 🤎🤎 The second nesting box is empty, just like yesterday. But just last week you were collecting 8-10 eggs a day!
What is going on? In short, hens are not machines. Laying patterns naturally ebb and flow with the seasons, changes in daylight hours, molting cycles, and age.
Seasonal Egg Laying Patterns in Chickens
In this blog, our EGGsperts will explain why seasonal laying patterns are perfectly normal, and how you can support the health of your hens throughout their lifetimes. We’ll also discuss how to spot signs of trouble in a hen who is producing fewer eggs, or who has stopped production altogether. 🥚
✨ Bonus: Read to the end to which chicken breeds are the best egg layers! ✨
Now, let’s get crackin’! (Sorry - too soon?)
1. Less Daylight Leads to Lighter Egg Baskets ☀️
Seasonal variations in daylight hours are the biggest factor in egg production cycles. More sunshine in the springtime activates hens’ internal clocks. Reproductive hormones surge, and their systems’ interpret the longer days as ideal conditions for raising chicks.
During the longest days of summer, egg laying is at its peak. Maximum production usually occurs when hens receive between 14-16 hours of daylight each day.
As seasons change and the days become shorter, egg production naturally slows as hens’ bodies respond to the earlier sunsets, and earlier bedtimes.
Other environmental factors such as nutrition, stress, and temperature can also have an impact on egg production and laying patterns. For example, a nutritional shortfall or a drafty coop may mean even fewer eggs when daylight is short.
2. Feathers Come First 🪶
Once a year, typically in late summer or early fall, chickens go through a full molt, shedding their old, weathered feathers and regrowing a fresh, new set. The entire process usually lasts between 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the bird.
Molting is incredibly demanding for a chicken’s body, and will cause egg production to decrease. Feathers are made up mostly of keratin, a protein that requires energy, vitamins, and minerals to rebuild. During a molt, feather regrowth gets prioritized while egg production is put on pause.
3. Growing Up Laying 🐥🥚
Pullets (young hens) typically begin their laying career around 16-24 weeks of age. During her first year, a young hen will lay at the high end of the average output for her breed.
Molting cycles typically begin when hens are around 18 months old, and as described above, can dramatically impact egg production. However, the second and third years are typically the highest and most steady in a laying hens’ lifespan.
At 4 or 5 years, egg production gradually declines, and shells may get thinner. Some hens may stop laying altogether after 5 or 6 years, while some may continue laying well into advanced age, but more sporadically.
All of these changes are natural, however it’s important to keep track of your hens’ ages and individual egg laying patterns, so you can spot abnormal behavior or laying patterns and address any concerns.
The giant rooster in the room... 🐓 Artificial Lighting: A Smart Solution or A Quick Fix?
Before we go further, let's talk about the giant rooster in the room. Should you use lamps or other artificial light in your coop to simulate longer days and encourage higher egg production during the winter months? It seems like a no-brainer, but it's actually a widely debated subject. Only you can make this choice for your flock.
The Pros - Adding artificial daylight during the winter is likely to result in a more consistent supply of eggs, which can be important as a source of food and/or income for a family.
The Cons - Tricking your hens’ systems disrupts the natural laying cycle, deprives their bodies of rest, and can impact long-term health and shorten a hen’s overall laying lifespan. Also, sudden changes in lighting can cause stress for your flock. And of course, artificial lighting from lamps can be a fire hazard too.
Taking a balanced approach. If you choose to use supplemental light, it is best to add gentle, early-morning illumination that mimics a more gradual, seasonal increase in daylight. Using a timer to add “daylight” before sunrise, not after sunset, can ease the strain of reduced egg production without causing stress for your flock.
How to Support Your Laying Hens’ Health 🐔
Ensuring a proper diet and a stress-free environment helps your hens stay healthy and productive throughout their lifespan.
Nutrition
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Chicken Feed - Offer your laying hens a feed formulated for the right stage of life (starter/grower or layer). Chicken feed should make up 90% of a chicken’s overall diet.
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Calcium – Supplement your hens’ diet with calcium sources such as crushed oyster shell and clean, baked eggshells. Hens will consume as much calcium as they need, and calcium sources should be freely available at all times.
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Grit - Make sure your flock has free access to grit. Chickens need to consume these crushed stones to properly grind their food and absorb nutrients.
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Supplemental Protein - It's recommended to offer supplemental protein sources during molt or periods of recovery, to support feather regrowth and overall health.
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Treats – Moderation is key, and treats, such as scratch grains, dried bugs, or safe kitchen scraps, should make up no more than 10% of a chickens’ overall diet.
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Environment
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Ventilation – Maintain a clean, dry, and well-ventilated chicken coop.
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Consistency - Hens are creatures of habit and thrive on predictability. Sudden changes to their routine can cause stress.
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Dust baths – Just like humans, chickens enjoy a relaxing bath. Dust baths help keep chickens clean and healthy, and reduce stress.
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Light – If you opt to use supplemental light in the winter months, do so only before sunrise, and introduce it gradually.
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How do you know if there is cause for concern? ⚠️
Most slowdowns are perfectly normal; however, it is critical to monitor your hens for signs of illness or reproductive issues. If you notice a hen experiencing fatigue, a change in posture, swelling, or strain, she may be in trouble.
Here are some red flags that require immediate attention:
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A hen who appears lethargic, fluffed up, or is isolating herself. These can be signs of illness, pain, or infection.
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You notice straining or a swollen abdomen. This may indicate that a hen is egg-bound, a serious condition that needs immediate intervention.
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You’re seeing eggshells that are thin or misshapen. This can be a sign of calcium deficiency, stress, or a reproductive issue.
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Your hens are losing weight or have dull feathers. This can be a sign of inadequate nutrition, parasites, or disease.
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You find evidence of parasites or mites. Infestations can sap energy and suppress laying.
✨ TL;DR - Other factors such as illness and environmental stress can slow or halt production temporarily. If you’ve ruled out the usual causes of reduced egg production such as molting, shorter daylight hours, or age, you should investigate further. Always observe your hens closely and contact a vet or local poultry specialist if you suspect a hen to be egg bound or ill.
Lifetime Care ❤️
As we've learned, it is natural for hens to take a seasonal rest, and therefore it is in their best interest to accept the winter slowdown.
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Rest – Rest is best. Seasonal slowdowns and redirecting energy during a molt are normal and support hens’ overall health and long-term productivity.
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Recordkeeping – Whether you are jotting down notes or keeping a full spreadsheet, it’s a good idea to keep track of your chickens’ ages, average egg counts, molting cycles, and any health changes. Doing so will help you understand your flock’s normal laying patterns and quickly recognize when something is off.
Compensating for Seasonal Slowdowns 🥚
Calling all chicken mathematicians! One factor that we can control is flock size. Knowing that egg production will vary, you can plan the size of your flock to meet your needs. Simply put, more hens = more eggs, at any time of the year.
High-Yield Chicken Breeds If your egg dreams are measured in dozens, it’s wise to choose breeds that are known for being high production layers.
- Leghorns can lay 4-6 large white eggs per week.
- Rhode Island Reds can lay 4-6 brown eggs per week.
- Australorps lay 4-6 brown eggs per week on average.
- Golden Buffs can lay 6 or more large brown eggs per week. Impressive!
✨ Pro tip: When adding to your flock, of course it's also important to consider your climate, the size of your coop and run, desired temperament, and egg color preferences.
Living the dream! 🥚🥚🥚
Backyard chicken-keeping feels especially rewarding when you’re collecting baskets full of beautiful, fresh eggs daily. Understanding seasonal laying patterns and supporting your flock with proper nutrition and a healthy environment will ensure happy, productive laying hens and a fulfilling chicken-keeping journey, year after year.
Thank you for reading! May your flock be happy and healthy, and may your egg baskets overflow (only when seasonally appropriate, of course).
Many eggs and much patience,
~The RentACoop Team