Annual Eggs
1,796
Daily
4.9
Dozen/mo
12.3
Value/yr
$599
300/yr
Brown
100%
100%
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Inputs
Result
EP = 6 hens × 0.82 rate × 365 days × 1.0 (summer) × 1.0 (1st year) = 1,795.8 ≈ 1,796 eggs. Value = (1,796 / 12) × $4 = $598.56. Savings = $598.56 − $360 feed = $238.56.
Inputs
Result
EP = 10 × 0.90 × 365 × 0.6 (winter) × 0.85 (2nd year) = 1,672.65 ≈ 1,672 eggs. Value = (1,672 / 12) × $4 = $557.40. Feed = $600/yr. Net = $557.40 − $600 = −$42.60 (winter reduces value below feed cost).
Inputs
Result
EP = 4 × 0.62 × 365 × 0.85 (spring/fall) × 0.70 (3rd year) = 538.3 ≈ 538 eggs. Dozens = 44.8. Value = 44.8 × $5 = $224.18. Feed = $240/yr. Net = −$15.82.
Egg production varies widely by breed. High-production hybrids like ISA Browns lay 300–330 eggs per year, while heritage breeds like Silkies produce only 100–120. The average backyard hen lays about 250 eggs per year during her first laying season, declining 15–20% each subsequent year.
| Breed | Eggs/Year | Egg Color | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA Brown | 330 | Brown | Maximum production |
| White Leghorn | 320 | White | Efficiency |
| Rhode Island Red | 300 | Brown | Dual purpose |
| Easter Egger | 225 | Blue/Green | Colorful eggs |
| Silkie | 110 | Cream | Broodiness/pets |
Chickens need 14–16 hours of daylight to maintain peak egg production. In summer, hens lay at 100% of their breed capacity. Spring and fall reduce output to about 85%, and winter drops production to roughly 60% without supplemental lighting. Adding a light on a timer in the coop can maintain near-summer production year-round.
| Season | Daylight Hours | Production Factor | Eggs/Week (6 RIR hens) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | 14–16 hrs | 100% | 34 eggs |
| Spring/Fall | 10–13 hrs | 85% | 29 eggs |
| Winter | 8–9 hrs | 60% | 21 eggs |
| Winter + lights | 14–16 hrs (artificial) | 90–95% | 32 eggs |
Chickens never fully stop laying but production declines steadily after the first year. First-year hens produce at 100% breed capacity, dropping to 85% in year two, 70% in year three, and about 55% from year four onward. Most commercial operations replace hens after 18–24 months; backyard flocks often keep hens for 5–8 years.
| Hen Age | Production Factor | RIR Eggs/Year | Leghorn Eggs/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year | 100% | 300 | 320 |
| 2nd year | 85% | 255 | 272 |
| 3rd year | 70% | 210 | 224 |
| 4th+ year | 55% | 165 | 176 |
It depends on feed costs and flock size. With 6 hens eating about $30/month in feed and store eggs at $4/dozen, backyard eggs typically cost $1.50–$2.50 per dozen in feed alone. However, this excludes coop costs ($200–$800 one-time) and your labor. Backyard eggs break even against store-bought when you have 4+ productive hens and feed costs stay below $0.15/hen/day.
| Expense | Backyard (6 hens) | Store-Bought Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly eggs | ~150 eggs (12.5 doz) | 12.5 dozen |
| Monthly feed | $25–$35 | $0 |
| Cost per dozen | $2.00–$2.80 | $4.00–$7.00 |
| Annual savings | $150–$400 | Baseline |
The ISA Brown (hybrid layer) produces the most eggs at 330 per year, followed by the White Leghorn at 320. For backyard flocks, Rhode Island Reds offer an excellent balance of 300 eggs/year with a docile temperament and cold hardiness. If you want colorful eggs, Easter Eggers lay about 225 blue or green eggs per year.
| Breed | Eggs/Year | Temperament | Cold Hardy | Egg Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISA Brown | 330 | Friendly | Moderate | Brown |
| White Leghorn | 320 | Flighty | Poor | White |
| Rhode Island Red | 300 | Docile | Excellent | Brown |
| Plymouth Rock | 285 | Gentle | Excellent | Brown |
| Easter Egger | 225 | Friendly | Good | Blue/Green |
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Last Updated: Mar 16, 2026
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