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A chick bought this spring will lay her first egg in late summer or fall and may still be scratching around your yard years after she stops. Planning for that gap is one of the kindest and most practical things a new keeper can do.
Key figures
- 18 to 22 weeks Typical age when hens begin laying
- 6 to 8 years Possible backyard hen lifespan, per Wisconsin Extension
- 3 to 4 years Typical productive laying period, per Wisconsin Extension
When laying starts
With good light, feed and housing, the University of Wisconsin Extension says hens should begin laying at 18 to 22 weeks of age, depending on breed. Chicks hatched in spring usually start laying in late summer or early fall.
How production changes with age
Wisconsin Extension notes that egg production, egg size and shell quality decrease each year. Hens in backyard flocks may live 6 to 8 years, and most flocks produce eggs for 3 to 4 years. Commercial layers are usually kept only 2 to 3 years because production drops after that.
Breed matters too. Oregon State University Extension says the average commercial White Leghorn lays about 265 eggs a year, with backyard breeds laying fewer, and the more exotic the breed, the poorer the production tends to be.
Planning a flock that keeps laying
- Start with young birds of a good laying breed.
- Add a few pullets every 2 to 3 years, as Wisconsin Extension suggests.
- Quarantine new birds before mixing them in, and introduce them gradually.
- Size the coop for the whole flock, old hens included.
Some keepers keep older hens as pets, some rehome them, and some process them for meat. All are legitimate choices. Making the decision before you buy chicks is far easier than making it later.
The breed guide addresses production differences. The egg-selling budget keeps changing output visible within the cost calculation.
Questions people ask
At what age do chickens start laying eggs?
Usually 18 to 22 weeks, depending on breed, light and feed.
How many years do chickens lay eggs?
Most backyard flocks produce for about 3 to 4 years, with fewer eggs each year.
How long do backyard chickens live?
Wisconsin Extension puts it at 6 to 8 years for backyard hens, longer than their laying years.
Can I add new chickens to an old flock?
Yes. Quarantine new birds first, then introduce them gradually, ideally with a divider so the flocks see each other before mixing.
Where these figures come from
- Life Cycle of a Laying Hen University of Wisconsin Extension · livestock.extension.wisc.edu
- Why Did My Chickens Stop Laying? Oregon State University Extension · extension.oregonstate.edu
Figures last checked September 2026.
