To produce a dozen eggs a week, you typically need about 3 to 4 hens, as each hen lays approximately 5 to 6 eggs weekly.
Want fresh eggs every week? The magic number is 12-14 hens to reliably produce a dozen eggs weekly. But egg production depends on breed, age, season, and care. This guide breaks down the chicken math so you can plan your perfect flock.
Egg Production Basics
Chickens don’t lay eggs like clockwork. Production varies based on multiple factors:
- Breed: High-production layers like Leghorns lay 280+ eggs/year
- Age: Hens lay best in first 2 years, then decline 20% annually
- Season: More daylight = more eggs (winter production drops)
- Health: Stressed or sick hens lay fewer eggs
Average Egg Production Rates
| Breed Type | Eggs/Year | Eggs/Week |
|---|---|---|
| Production Layers | 250-300 | 5-6 |
| Dual-Purpose | 200-250 | 4-5 |
| Heritage | 150-200 | 3-4 |
Calculating Your Flock Size
Use this simple formula:
- Determine your weekly egg need (example: 12 eggs)
- Divide by average production (5 eggs/hen/week)
- Add 20% buffer for variables
Example: (12 eggs ÷ 5) × 1.2 = 2.88 (round up to 3 hens)
But winter changes everything. Winter layers like Rhode Island Reds help maintain production when daylight decreases.
Seasonal Adjustments
Expect these changes:
- Summer: 6 eggs/hen/week
- Winter: 3 eggs/hen/week (without supplemental light)
According to Salt Ranch Dallas, you need nearly double the hens in winter to maintain the same egg output.
Choosing the Right Breeds
Not all chickens lay equally. For maximum eggs:
Top Egg Layers
- White Leghorn (280-320 eggs/year)
- Rhode Island Red (250-300 eggs/year)
- Plymouth Rock (200+ eggs/year)
Want colorful eggs? Blue Plymouth Rocks lay beautiful blue eggs while maintaining good production.
Space Requirements
Happy hens lay more eggs. Provide adequate space:
- Coop: 4 sq ft/standard hen
- Run: 8 sq ft/hen (minimum)
- Nesting boxes: 1 per 4 hens
For 12 hens, you’d need a 48 sq ft coop and 96 sq ft run. Our coop size guide helps plan your setup.
Maximizing Egg Production
Boost your flock’s output with these tips:
Light Management
Hens need 14+ hours of light for best production. Add coop lights in winter to maintain laying.
Nutrition
Layer feed with 16-18% protein keeps hens productive. Supplement with calcium for strong shells.
Stress Reduction
Predators, overcrowding, and loud noises decrease laying. Keep your flock calm and protected.
According to Heritage Pullets, healthy hens under ideal conditions can lay nearly an egg per day during peak production.
Planning for the Future
Remember these long-term factors:
- Add new pullets every 2-3 years to maintain production
- Expect older hens to lay 20% fewer eggs each year
- Broody hens stop laying for weeks at a time
With proper planning and care, your backyard flock can provide fresh eggs year-round. Start with 12-14 hens for a reliable dozen eggs weekly, adjusting as you learn your flock’s patterns.