Egg Production Tracker

Wondering how many eggs you can expect from your chickens each week and year? Use this calculator to estimate your egg production and help you choose how many chickens you want in your flock. Read more details below about some specifics including egg production over the year and egg production over the life of a chicken.

Use the table below to select your chicken breed.

Contents

Enter Your Flock Details

Results:

Estimated Weekly Egg Production: -

Estimated Monthly Egg Production: -


Here’s a table categorizing common chicken breeds based on their egg production levels:

BreedEgg Production Level
LeghornHigh (6-7 eggs/week)
Rhode Island RedHigh (6-7 eggs/week)
Plymouth RockHigh (6-7 eggs/week)
SussexAverage (5 eggs/week)
AustralorpAverage (5 eggs/week)
OrpingtonAverage (5 eggs/week)
WyandotteAverage (5 eggs/week)
BarnevelderAverage (5 eggs/week)
AmeraucanaAverage (5 eggs/week)
Easter EggerAverage (4-5 eggs/week)
MaransAverage (4-5 eggs/week)
CochinLow (3-4 eggs/week)
SilkieLow (3-4 eggs/week)
PolishLow (3-4 eggs/week)
BrahmaLow (3-4 eggs/week)
SultanLow (2-3 eggs/week)

How Egg Production Tracker: Changes Over the Year

Egg production naturally fluctuates due to seasonal and environmental factors:

  1. Spring & Summer (Peak Production)
    • Hens lay the most eggs when daylight exceeds 12-14 hours per day.
    • Warmer temperatures and access to fresh food (like insects and greens) boost egg production.
  2. Fall (Decreasing Production)
    • As daylight shortens, hens start laying fewer eggs.
    • Some breeds slow down significantly, while others continue laying at a reduced rate.
  3. Winter (Low Production or Complete Stop)
    • Hens need at least 12 hours of daylight to maintain steady egg production.
    • Some homesteaders use supplemental lighting in the coop to encourage laying.
    • Cold weather and molting further reduce or halt production.

How Egg Production Changes Over a Chicken’s Life

  1. First Year (Highest Production)
    • Most hens start laying between 18-24 weeks old.
    • Peak laying happens during the first 12-18 months, with consistent, high output.
  2. Second Year (Slight Decline)
    • Production drops by 10-20%, but hens still lay well.
  3. Third Year & Beyond (Gradual Decline)
    • Annual egg production decreases by 10-15% each year.
    • By age 5-7, hens may lay only a few eggs per week or stop completely.
    • Some homesteaders keep older hens for pest control and composting, while others cull non-layers.

How to Use This Information on Your Homestead

  • Plan for Seasonal Changes: Store excess eggs during peak production for the slower winter months (freezing or water-glassing works well).
  • Adjust Your Flock Over Time: To maintain a steady supply of eggs, introduce new pullets each year to replace aging hens.
  • Supplement Lighting in Winter: If you need consistent egg supply, adding a low-wattage light on a timer can help maintain laying.
  • Monitor Health & Nutrition: Proper diet, fresh water, and a clean coop keep hens producing longer.

By understanding how egg production fluctuates, you can make informed decisions to keep your homestead running smoothly and ensure a steady supply of fresh eggs year-round!

Seasonal egg-tracking chart:

SeasonEgg Production LevelKey FactorsTips for Managing Production
Spring 🌸High 🔥🔥🔥Longer daylight, warmer temps, fresh forageCollect eggs frequently, provide calcium (oyster shells)
Summer ☀️High 🔥🔥🔥Peak laying, but extreme heat may slow productionEnsure cool water, shade, and proper ventilation
Fall 🍂Moderate 🔥🔥Shorter days, molting beginsSupplement protein, provide extra daylight if needed
Winter ❄️Low or None 🔥Cold weather, minimal daylight, molting continuesOptional: Use supplemental lighting (12-14 hrs) or expect less eggs

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get a FREE copy of the ebook: The Modern Homestead and access to our community exclusively for backyard gardeners and homesteaders.

Just straight up homesteading ideas sent directly to you.

Learn more about the Modern Homesteading Academy, a low cost series of ebooks and mini-courses.

 

This will close in 15 seconds