How many eggs to expect from a hen? How many eggs does a chicken carry per year, week, day: possible problems and ways to solve them

Mankind tried chicken meat and eggs thousands of years ago. Since then, it is difficult to imagine the diet of any of us, in which these products would be absent. Many not only raise chickens to provide themselves with food, but also actively build a business on this. Therefore, poultry farmers, before acquiring the younger generation, think about how egg production will be? How to determine the frequency?

Unfortunately, there is no way to answer this question with maximum accuracy. This is because a large number of factors influence this, for example, chicken nutrition, maintenance, weather, seasonality.

Therefore, it is unrealistic to determine how many eggs per day chickens will bring. Some are of the opinion that one hen a day brings no more than one egg, others argue that eggs are laid every other day. First of all, an experienced poultry farmer is aware that the number of eggs directly depends on the breed of birds.

Chicken breeds

Experts in the field of chicken breeding have long divided this bird into 3 main breeds:

  • Meat chickens.
  • Egg hens.
  • Universal chickens (a combination of meat and egg).

In fact, all breeds of chickens can lay eggs, the difference is only in their number. For example, meat chickens bring about 100-150 eggs a year. But those breeds that are egg in the same time can carry about 200-230 eggs.

So what is the difference between meat breed and egg breed:

  • Egg hens are often small in size.
  • They're pretty fast puberty.

It is possible to distinguish such breeds of chickens that differ in maximum egg production:

  • etc.

Today, many poultry farmers prefer hybrids. This is because their price is almost the same as that of ordinary layers, but the conditions of detention are much simpler, there are no special recommendations. They are unpretentious. At the same time, the egg production of hybrid special is 10% more. But it is important to remember that when crossing this figure will decrease.

What is the peculiarity of egg production

In nature, many birds only lay eggs when they are about to give birth to new offspring. Domestic chickens do not have this trend. In order for laying hens to rush year-round, they should create the appropriate conditions. Thanks to this, you can wait up to 300 eggs a year.

Egg production in chickens begins at puberty. But when it comes, it depends directly on the breed. Those individuals that belong to the bark breeds can lay eggs already at 17-20 weeks of age. But meat-and-egg not earlier than after 6 months. Representatives of meat breeds will delight with eggs only after 8 months.

In the chicken body, the yolk (ovum) is initially formed. The entire period of passage through the organs of egg formation, it is covered with protein. Further, with all the necessary shells, and only then with the yolk. If the conditions of detention and nutrition are observed correctly, then this process lasts approximately 22-25 hours.

What is no less important, a chicken is capable of laying eggs without the participation of a rooster. Therefore, there is no great need for it. His presence is needed only when the goal of the farmer is to breed offspring. This is because only eggs fertilized by a rooster can become chickens in the future.

Favorable period for egg production

Farmers who have been keeping chicken offspring for a long time know that the best time for laying eggs is spring, as the weather is warm outside.

Many people wonder how long one chicken is carried. One fact is known here that the laying hen brings the largest number of eggs in the first year of life. After that, egg production will gradually decrease.

Because of this, large farms that keep chickens in order to obtain eggs, after a year, send them to slaughter and acquire new offspring.

Of course, if the conditions for keeping the chicken population on high level, then it makes sense to keep laying hens for several years. After all, poultry houses, timely feeding, while the right one plays very important role. On average, a laying hen in such conditions can lay 200 eggs per year.

How to increase egg production

The question of how to increase egg production worries almost every farmer. Basically, everyone uses the same method.

This method is to extend daylight hours. For this, various light bulbs are used that adapt in the chicken coop. If the laying hen thinks that there are 28 hours in a day, then all this time she will bring eggs. Most optimal time for egg production without harm to the bird - this is 13 hours.

In this way there is significant disadvantage, it significantly reduces the life of the laying hen.

Also, not a small role is played by fresh air and thermal conditions. If during the period when the chicken lays eggs, she has warm earrings, a comb and earlobes, then everything is fine, the individual feels good, and the conditions of detention are correct.

On a note! It is in the scallop, lobes and earrings that there is a pigment that is responsible for the formation of the egg shell.

Each poultry breeder has an individual approach to increasing egg production. However, it is worth knowing all the recommendations, then the result will be more productive.

In order for the laying hen to lay eggs well, this requires an appropriate temperature regime in the chicken coop. Comfortable nests and a good aviary for walking play an important role.

It is also very important to provide the laying hens with a balanced diet full of vitamins and minerals. The diet should include both dry food and mash, fresh herbs.

IN certain moment of its life, the chicken stops rushing for a certain period, this moment is a molt. At the end of it, egg production begins active.

This is taken into account by experienced poultry farmers, so they often triple molt artificially. To do this, the bird is starved for a certain period of time. During this time, only water is allowed. Such starvation causes in the laying hen stressful condition and she starts shedding. After that, vitamin and mineral fattening begins without fail. This speeds up the molting process, and the hens begin to lay faster.

To increase egg production, some farmers add various feed and premixes to the diet.

How to make chickens rush well in the winter can be seen in the video.

How to define good performance

First, a good laying hen is different in appearance. She has fairly dense bones, not very big mass body. The chicken does not differ in size, we can say that it is quite small. The plumage is very smooth and beautiful. The wings are large, as is the comb. Most often he "looks" a little to the side. Also, productive chickens have a soft tummy.

In addition, laying hens are very mobile, they can be seen in the aviary already in the early morning, but they enter the chicken coop late.

Leggorn is recognized as the best egg-laying breed. On average, one laying hen brings about 170-240 eggs per year. And in the 71st year, she delivered a record number of eggs - 371 pieces per year.

When does the gestation period start?

Egg production in each breed begins in different ways. As already mentioned, bark hens rush from the age of five months. Hybrids start a little later, with a delay of 1.5-2 months. At this time, the duration of daylight hours should be kept up to 12 hours. Then it should be gradually increased so that by 9 months the daylight hours last about 17 hours.

There are also cases when laying hens begin to lay eggs where they have to, and you have to spend a lot of time searching. To avoid this, you can try to place objects in the nests that look like eggs. For this, various materials are used: wood, gypsum, metal, etc.

There is another method that is more efficient. In normal chicken egg a small hole is made, all the contents are removed, and filled with any solution (it can be gypsum or alabaster). It remains only a little, to put an egg in a chicken nest.

Features of feeding for good egg production

In order for laying hens to please with their productivity, they should be provided with timely and proper nutrition. Especially it concerns winter period. Cereal crops in a certain amount should be given in germinated form.

Germinating cereals is actually very simple, you should take, for example, corn or barley, pour a small amount in a small container warm water. Leave it all in a warm room. At the same time, a certain temperature regime, about 25°С. The grain must not be allowed to dry out. After a couple of days, the first sprouts will be visible. Just at this stage, food can be given to birds.

Other poultry farmers increase productivity by adding yeast to the feed. The recipe is also very simple. You should take 30 g of yeast (necessarily fresh), and dilute them in 1.5 liters of water. Further, 1 kg of crushed grain is added to the resulting consistency. All the resulting mixture is thoroughly mixed and allowed to infuse for 8-9 hours in a warm place. After insisting, the composition can be given to chickens. Only not in its pure form, but with a mash.

In order for laying hens to rush well in winter, they need a special diet. Which one you can see in the video.

Should be taken into account

The following factors can affect the egg production of chickens:

  • Shedding period.
  • Sharp jumps in temperature.
  • Cold (for some breeds).
  • Diseases.
  • Not enough light.
  • other stressful situations.

The most fruitful period is the time before the start of molting (this is almost 90% of the potential). After the molt is completed, the performance decreases by 85%, and sometimes up to 80%.

On average, the molting period can last from 2 weeks to several months. After it has come to an end, the conditions of detention are appropriate, egg production will begin to grow rapidly.

Also, the number of eggs may decrease with the age of the laying hen. The older the hen, the fewer eggs there will be. In addition, they may be of poor quality, for example, with damaged shells or various flaws.

Sometimes eggs with two yolks can be found - this is absolutely normal. This is because 2 yolks leave the ovary one after the other (almost simultaneously). In the oviduct, they are already covered with all the shells and protein for a couple, and at the end - with a shell. In such cases, nothing needs to be done, everything will pass by itself.

In order for the eggs to be year-round, you need to acquire young animals after a certain period. It turns out that adult laying hens will carry large eggs in full swing, the younger generation will begin to grow rapidly.

Another question that interests beginner poultry farmers, how many years has a chicken been rushing? The total egg production can be reduced to 10 years. But only the first year will be available maximum amount, all subsequent, performance will gradually decline. For this reason, large poultry farms do not keep chickens for more than a year.

As can be seen from the article, it is not difficult to determine how often chickens lay. But it is possible to determine what period they will rush.

Masha
How many eggs does a hen lay a day?

Answering the question of how many eggs a chicken brings in a day is both simple and difficult at the same time. You can call the average number for all breeds. But there are many factors that affect the performance of a laying hen. Among them are the feeding regimen, diet, season, conditions of detention, health status, etc. Changing any of them will increase or decrease egg laying.

Features of the process of laying hens

Breed is a key factor for egg production in chickens. She lays down the minimum and maximum for the bird. By arranging a warm chicken coop, a balanced diet, and additional lighting, the breeder can increase productivity only within the interval laid down by nature.

The ideal for the farmer is 1 egg per day. In fact, it turns out less: about 1 piece in two days.

Attention! In winter, most hens significantly reduce the intensity of oviposition. Natural biorhythms are to blame: in cold weather, birds do not feel the need to procreate.

Annual productivity for chickens of different directions:

  • egg breeds - 200-240 pcs. (about 4 pieces per week);
  • egg hybrids - up to 320 pcs. (6-7 eggs per week);
  • meat and egg breeds - 160-180 pcs. (3.5 pieces per week);
  • meat - 120-160 pcs. (2-3 eggs per week).

Chickens reduce egg laying in such cases:

  1. During the molting period, once a year at the end of autumn.
  2. During activation maternal instinct. Chickens of meat or meat and egg breeds sometimes sit in a nest with a goal. Breeding processes have minimized the influence of instinct in pure egg varieties.

Egg control

The breeder needs to work on obtaining high egg performance from the moment the chickens are purchased. Natural egg breeds are distinguished by an early start of laying: from about 4.5-5.5 months. against 7 months in purely meat varieties. Only a thoroughbred bird can withstand the deadlines. Crossbred chickens may not start laying at all.

Advice. Purchase young animals from certified breeding farms, poultry farms or private breeders with a proven track record.

As the chickens mature, experienced farmers create optimal living conditions for them and get the maximum possible number of eggs:


And what in your opinion can cause a decrease in the productivity of chickens?

How many chickens lay: video

When raising poultry, every farmer asks himself what will be the level of productive activity of his livestock. After all, the profitability of the business and the percentage of profit that the poultry farmer will receive in the future depend on this indicator. The number of egg products obtained from one individual is directly affected by many factors - from the conditions of detention to the diet.

An egg is a widely demanded product, which is indispensable in any culinary business. But few people know when chickens start laying eggs and how many eggs one laying hen can give per day or month. The first laid egg indicates that the bird has reached puberty and is ready for production activities.

The beginning of egg laying in chickens directly depends on the breed.

In the field of poultry farming, there are three main areas of activity for chickens, and each breed or cross belongs to specific maturation periods. Of course, deviations from the standard are possible, but they are insignificant.

Egg hens mature early enough and begin to lay eggs at the age of 4.5-5.5 months. This also applies to birds of pure breeds, and hybrids, which can please the first egg as early as 4 months.

Kvochki meat and egg activity mature a little longer and begin to rush 5.5-6.5 months after birth. As for meat chickens, their stable egg production can only be guaranteed at 7-8 months of age. As a rule, heavy breeds of chickens first actively build up muscle mass, and only then take care of the offspring.

Important. At the onset of puberty in autumn or winter time the laying hen may start laying later than expected. This happens as a result of shorter daylight hours and lower temperatures. If the chicken has reached puberty before winter and is kept in a warm room, then it will continue to actively produce products in the cold season.


Chickens of egg breeds begin to give eggs as early as 4-4.5 months.

The number of eggs laid is directly affected by the conditions in which the bird lives. While maintaining the optimal microclimate and a properly organized diet, the laying hen will consistently delight the owner with products. However, violation of the requirements for conditions of detention and care can provoke a deterioration in productivity or even its suspension.

Seasonality can also affect productivity indicators: in summer, chickens more often give eggs, in winter the rate decreases markedly. Therefore, there is no exact answer to the question of how many eggs a day or a year a klusha can give.

Under the condition of responsible keeping at home, one chicken gives one egg per day. In winter, their egg production decreases, and representatives of the egg direction begin to lay every other day, while other breeds completely stop producing products.

A chicken is capable of producing a maximum of 1 egg per day, and this limit is set by nature. The biological maturation of the yolk, its entry into the oviduct, further promotion, fouling with protein and shelling take at least 25 hours, and it is impossible to speed up the process of egg formation.


A chicken of any breed can lay no more than 1 egg per day.

IN modern conditions In factories specializing in raising birds and breeding new breeds, more than 300 eggs are collected from one bird per year, which means that one chicken can lay no more than one egg per day in a poultry farm.

Egg production rates reach an average of 3-4 to 7 pieces per week. One hen produces about 15-30 eggs per month, and about 200-300 eggs can be expected from a laying hen per year. Under the most favorable conditions, one can hope for 330 eggs.

It is important to remember that egg production is affected not only by the conditions of detention, season and diet, but also by stressful situations, the presence of foreign animals in the room and loud sounds.

When choosing chickens for breeding in a private household, you should know the comparative indicators of the annual egg production of some breeds:


Leghorn hens can lay up to 300 eggs per year.
  • Russian white - carries about 200-240 eggs per year weighing 55-60 grams;
  • Leghorn - gives about 200-250 pieces per year (sometimes up to 300) weighing 55-65 grams;
  • New Hampshire - lays 180-240 eggs annually weighing 60-70 grams;
  • - gives every year about 340-350 pieces weighing 60-65 grams;
  • Loman Brown - carries 315-320 eggs weighing about 63-64 grams;
  • Hisex white - lays about 300-315 pieces per year weighing 63-64 grams;
  • Brekel - gives annually 180-200 eggs weighing 58-60 grams;
  • Russian Crested - carries about 160-180 pieces weighing 55-60 grams;
  • Hisex Brown - gives 280-300 eggs per year weighing about 70 grams.

Not knowing the characteristics of the body of poultry, most of the ordinary inhabitants mistakenly believe that it is impossible to get eggs without the participation of a rooster. This is not so, since laying in adult layers is a physiological process that does not require the presence of a gentleman. The main thing to remember is that females who have reached puberty, without the direct participation of a rooster, will only carry unfertilized eggs that can be eaten.

In cases where the bird is bred only to obtain eggs, they usually get rid of the livestock for the winter, because it is not at all easy to keep it in cold conditions. The chicken community resumes in the spring. Often, this method of growing birds is used by summer residents who do not have the opportunity to be in a suburban area all year round.

Attention. If the purpose of breeding chickens is to produce offspring, then you cannot do without a rooster. It is known that the natural instincts of brood hens suggest better productivity in the presence of a rooster in the house than when using an incubator.


Hens lay eggs regardless of whether there is a rooster on the farm.

Chickens are divided into meat, egg and meat-egg breeds. There are such meat and egg species of poultry that can boast not only impressive dimensions, but also good egg production. For example, breeds such as Orlovskaya, Sussex and Augsburger each year supply the owner with up to 250 pieces of products.

Egg laying hens are quite light, weigh no more than 2 kg, are distinguished by their activity and special grace, they independently get food and are very fond of walking on fresh air. Such chickens are enough early age reach puberty, and already at 4 months they bear their first fruits.

Cross-country hens are distinguished by unique egg production indicators, which are capable of producing about 315 eggs per year. The only caveat in their breeding is that it makes no sense to expect offspring from them, since these birds were bred genetically. To obtain egg products, crosses are purchased at 4 months of age. For example, the popular white Hisex cross lays about 300-315 eggs per year, Tetra SL - 300 pieces, and Isa Brown - as many as 320 eggs annually.


Isa Brown chickens are one of the most egg-laying crosses.

For any farmer, it is important not only to increase the number of eggs received, but also to achieve the stability of these indicators every year. To do this, it is necessary to strictly implement a number of special measures to ensure proper conditions of detention and balance daily menu.

Optimum temperature

At home subsidiary farm due to temperature fluctuations, jumps in productivity are often observed: in summer, egg production increases, and in winter it declines.

Chickens are overreacting to change climatic conditions for the worse, but excessively low, or vice versa, heat adversely affects the egg activity of the laying hen.

To provide for the birds comfortable conditions life should follow a few rules:


In winter, a heater should be placed in the chicken coop.
  • The poultry house for keeping in winter should not have slots that will let through cold wind. To do this, close them tightly, close the manholes and insulate the floor with peat bedding, with the addition of dry sawdust or straw. After trampling down the first layer, apply the second layer on top, and repeat this several times. These measures are enough to ensure the temperature in the chicken coop is between 12 and 18 degrees, which is ideal for winter time.
  • If the winter is too cold, as additional measure heaters need to be installed. Sleeping perches should be installed at a level of 60 cm from the ground, and provide fresh air to the room.
  • The optimal microclimate in the chicken coop should be no higher than 18 degrees, and humidity - 70%.

Important. If chickens are kept in a room with a temperature not higher than 5 degrees, then their productivity is reduced by 15%, but if in an excessively warm chicken coop with a temperature of 30 degrees, productivity drops by 30%.

Illumination of the poultry house

When the light level decreases, the hens begin to prepare for bed, their activity subsides, feed intake decreases significantly, which together leads to a decline in egg activity. The duration of daylight hours should not be less than 12 hours and more than 14. In the autumn-winter period, you can extend the lighting time using electric lamps- this will increase the rate of laying eggs by 30%.

Properly selected nutrition is the main factor affecting the performance of the bird. It is extremely important to follow the regime and feed the bird in the prescribed portions, avoiding overfeeding and underfeeding. In the morning, food is given immediately after waking up, and in the evening 1 hour before going to bed.

The composition of the feed should include proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the required proportions. Food should be rich in macro- and micronutrients in order to provide the hen with good health and good productivity.


Good egg production directly depends on the diet of chickens.

Perfect for daily menu different types cereals diluted with water or milk. You can also feed individuals with a combination feed, which will greatly facilitate the feeding process.

We must not forget about fresh herbs, which are the main source of nutrients. Dandelion, nettle, clover and alfalfa will supply the bird's body with the necessary vitamins, and eggshell, chalk and crushed shell rock will enrich it with minerals.

The right choice of breed

To increase egg production, the poultry breeder should give preference to chickens of egg breeds, rather than meat ones. Such breeds reach sexual maturity early and will produce a sufficient amount of egg production. Among the common egg breeds, Russian white chickens, Italian partridges, Leghorns, Czech goldens, etc. can be distinguished.

From a theoretical point of view, chickens are able to produce eggs for about 7-10 years. However, in practice, the end of egg production for laying hens is 1.5 years, for meat and egg breeds - about 4 years.


Meat and egg chickens are laid up to 4 years, egg - up to 2 years.

Every year the productivity of poultry decreases by 15%, while they consume the same amount of feed as the young livestock. Therefore, any experienced poultry farmer understands that it is not advisable to keep a chicken for more than 2-3 years. It is recommended to cut such birds, which is practiced regularly in poultry farms.

When does the egg laying start, how much per day can you get, is a rooster needed in the house, what are the features of the process? Anna

When raising poultry of a certain breed, farmers often ask themselves, what will be the degree of its productivity? Quantity quality products that you can get from each adult, directly depends on such factors as the conditions of detention - the creation of a normal microclimate in the house, the order of feeding.

Eggs have been one of the most popular foods for many years. We eat them in different dishes, rarely thinking about when the hens start to give them, and how many eggs per day a hen usually lays. The start of oviposition is a signal indicating the entry of hens into puberty. If chickens grow and develop normally, then they reach it in such terms that depend on the characteristics of the breed.

A variety of chickens with a combined degree of productivity lays eggs after 6.5 months.

Laying hens, which belong to heavy meat breeds, enter the egg-laying period after 8 months.

Fighting types of chickens produce products after 9 months. Small breeds with a high degree productivity, begin to rush in 5 - 6 months. Layers of small breeds with low productivity, will give products after 7 months. In a chicken belonging to the hybrid autosex type, they appear at 6 months.

Light egg-laying types of laying hens enter puberty after 5.5 months. If the chicken was grown in suitable conditions, it was healthy, then these indicators are relevant. When puberty of a chicken falls on autumn or winter month, temperature indicators decrease and daylight hours are reduced, it may not begin to rush within the specified time. The hen, which began to give eggs before the onset of the winter period, provided that it is kept in a warm room and the organization of rational feeding, lays them in the winter.

How many eggs per day can you get

The question of how many eggs a chicken lays per day is relevant for all farmers. After all, they often breed poultry in order to obtain this type of product. The average laying hen is capable of producing one egg per day. Birds with a small size quickly reach the period of puberty. How many pieces can be expected from them per year? On average, this figure is 200, while meat breeds give up to 150 pieces annually. In a month you can get somewhere 15 - 20 pieces.

This normal rate, given that there is a day when the bird does not lay eggs. How many pieces can be obtained in practice? A hen lays one egg every other day during the warm season. By winter, the degree of egg production decreases, many birds stop producing products. How much do the others give? One item per week. This can be associated with natural biorhythms, since under natural conditions birds rush only in warm weather in order to obtain offspring. At egg factories and farms, chickens give up to 320 pieces annually. Many modern breeds have a high degree of egg production. How much can they bring in a day? More than one egg. Accordingly, you will receive more than 20 pieces per month.

How many pieces are given annually by breeds such as Russian White, Leghorn, High Line? Birds of the Loman Brown breed bring products weighing 63-64 grams in the amount of 315 - 320 pieces per year. Representatives of the breed will bring products weighing from 55 to 60 grams in the amount of 200 - 240 pieces. Birds of the Leggorn species carry eggs weighing 55 - 65 grams, of which 200 - 300 pieces turn out per year. High Line chickens produce products that weigh an average of 60 - 65 grams. Answering the question, how many, say - in the amount of 340 - 350 pieces.

Do you need a rooster

Most ordinary inhabitants who do not know about the peculiarities of the life of poultry are sure that a rooster is indispensable in a poultry house. This is an erroneous statement, since the process of laying in adults who have reached puberty is natural and can occur without the participation of a rooster. The main thing to know is that such results of the activity of hens will be infertile. They can be eaten without worrying about the quality and taste properties.

But they are not suitable for obtaining offspring. If your goal when breeding is to obtain egg products, then you can do without a rooster. In this case, summer residents get rid of livestock every autumn, since it is troublesome to keep birds in winter. Few people are in the country all year round. It is better to renew the chicken population in the spring. A rooster will need to be kept if you plan to breed a bird. Since the natural instincts of poultry suggest greater degree productivity with a rooster in the house than with an incubator.

How is the process

The process of egg formation is interesting. The egg is a large female reproductive cell, of which there are many in the bird's body. The stages of egg formation deserve special attention. The cell consists of a main shell called the yolk. After it has matured, the yolk descends into a special section - it is called the oviduct. The main shell, which is also the yolk, is covered with the next layer in the course of movement - protein. This process can take up to 20 hours.

Before they are born, the yolk and protein are covered dense layer. The shell serves to protect products from mechanical and other types of damage. 40 minutes after the release of the finished specimen, the next cell appears in the genital tract instead. And everything happens according to the knurled pattern again. In order to receive a large number of quality products, chickens should be provided with a balanced diet, which will become a reliable foundation for the formation of good products in the future.

How to plant a hen? What to do if a rooster fights with chickens? What breed of chicken to start with? This question arises for many beginner poultry farmers. The answers to them are in our video.

Breeding laying hens is an interesting and profitable business. Poultry farmers who have their own chicken coop are provided not only with tasty and healthy meat, but also with fresh homemade eggs. But not all livestock breeders and farmers know the answer to the question: how does a chicken lay eggs? You will learn about this process and other related subtleties from this article.

The reproductive system of roosters consists of the testes, which are located near the kidneys. During mating, they increase in size. The testicles continue with the vas deferens, at the end of which is the seminal vesicle, which contains the spermatozoa. Birds do not have external genitalia. In laying hens, the left ovary, which is also located near the kidney, is considered more developed. It continues with the oviduct, which opens into a special tube connected to the cloaca, the posterior part of the alimentary canal, which connects to the genital ducts. The oviduct has two sections: the fallopian tube and the uterus.

The process of the appearance of eggs in domestic and wild birds carried out according to one scheme, which is laid down by nature at the level of genetics.

Sexual maturity in roosters and hens

Chickens start producing eggs at puberty.

Sexual maturity in chickens and roosters occurs at the same time.

The specific time is determined by the breed of the laying hen. young birds egg breed can lay eggs after 17-20 weeks, meat and egg breeds begin to produce the product no earlier than six months. Meat individuals rush no earlier than 8 months after birth.

A distinctive feature of birds ready to produce eggs is a bright red comb. Juveniles, not ready to roost, are distinguished by a small crest of a pale pink hue. A productive laying hen can be determined by appearance- it is medium-sized, has a dense skeleton, its plumage is well developed, its wings are massive, the comb hangs to one side. Also, a good laying hen has a large and soft belly.

The onset of puberty in chickens of different breeds

The onset of puberty depends not only on the age of the bird, but also on the diet. If you properly feed the chicken and carefully care for it, the laying hen will begin to bear fruit on time. Sexual maturity also depends on the time of hatching. winter or hatched in early spring chickens begin to lay before their brothers.

Sexual intercourse in chickens

In each herd there is one leader - the strongest and strongest rooster. When the laying hen molts, the male does not pay attention to her, on the contrary, he chases the female and ignores her. But as soon as the molt ends, the male begins to walk around the chicken he likes and scratches with his lowered wing. The rooster shares its prey with the laying hen, thereby giving its attention. During the mating process with his beak, the male holds the hen by the back of the head, saddles it and makes several rapid movements (tramples).

Roosters are able to mate 10 to 50 times a day - it all depends on the specific breed.

The cloaca of the rooster turns outward and meets with the cloaca of the partner. The seed, which is secreted by the gonads of the rooster, penetrates into the female, into her genitals. Moving through the body of the chicken, the spermatozoa move to the egg, and the egg is fertilized. The seed is able to remain active in the body of the chicken for up to 20 days - all eggs that will be produced during this period are fertilized.

If you place an egg against the background of a light source, you can understand if you should expect chickens. Look closely at the product - if you see a clearly visible dark spot (embryo), the egg is fertilized.

Video - How does a chicken lay eggs?

The appearance of the egg

  1. The genitals of the animal contain many eggs that are at different stages of maturation. Each of them is placed in the follicle, from which the already prepared egg moves into the oviduct. Thus, the first stage of egg formation is the maturation of the egg.
  2. The egg moves through the genital tract, and it takes about 20 hours. During this time, the egg forms protein, shell and other membranes.
  3. It takes about 30-40 minutes for an egg to move into the esophagus. If two eggs are in the birth canal at once, then the egg will have two yolks. It happens that the second yolk comes out with a delay, so the first egg will have a shell, but the second one will not.
  4. If the egg is fertilized, a small White spot about 3-4 mm in size (germinal disc).

Do hens lay eggs without a rooster?

The natural feature of laying hens is their ability to produce eggs regardless of the presence or absence of a rooster in the house. The body of laying hens contains an ovipositor that functions independently. It forms the yolk, which is covered with protein and shell, moving through the sections of the ovipositor without an embryo. Of course, such eggs differ in structure from fertilized ones, but the taste will remain unchanged. Some inexperienced farmers believe that the fertilized yolk has a richer color, but this is not the case. Color saturation only reflects the diet of the laying hen and its habitat.

Why is there a rooster in the chicken coop?

Despite the fact that the male is not involved in the process of egg production, he plays an important role on the farm. The presence of a rooster ensures high performance of laying hens. If earlier there was no rooster in the house, when it appears, the hen begins to rush less often, but after a few days everything returns to its usual course, and the performance of the hens increases. In the presence of a rooster, hens behave quieter and calmer, do not fight and do not become aggressive. A correctly chosen rooster is the owner of the house, which will protect the family from other animals and other enemies.

Some roosters may be aggressive towards other residents of the house. They appropriate their food, peck and injure the hens. It is better to isolate the individual immediately - such a rooster negatively affects the health and productivity of birds.

A rooster is a necessary element of a productive herd of laying hens

Eggs without shell

If a young laying hen lays small eggs or products consisting only of protein, this is completely natural. Poultry farmers define such eggs as fat - they are formed when a protein clot appears in the oviduct, enveloped with a shell. But what to do if an already adult chicken produces eggs in a film, without a shell? Most often this happens due to a lack in the body of the laying hen of the most important elements for life: calcium and phosphorus.

Violations can occur due to stress and during a viral infection. In order for the eggs to be strong and healthy, so that they do not have blood stains, and the shell does not break before the time necessary for the formation of quality products, do not allow violations in hormonal system in domestic chickens. Provide the birds with the right diet, enough free space and care for them carefully.

Composition of a chicken egg

It is laid down by nature that the embryo is located in the egg, which requires a huge amount of elements necessary for its growth and development. What is inside the egg:

  • In the yolk in large numbers contains carotenoids - the most important elements for the maturation of new individuals;
  • Protein ropes are attached to the yolk, which is located in the shell, fixing the yolk and allowing it to turn;
  • The protein has a special shell and shell, between which there is an air chamber.

The chemical composition of an egg looks like this:

  • water (73-74%);
  • dry matter (26-27%);
  • fats (11-12%);
  • proteins (12-13%);
  • carbohydrates (0.8-1.2%);
  • the egg contains a certain amount of lysocine, a natural enzyme that prevents spoilage of the product.

Video - How chickens lay eggs in poultry farms

The average person consumes approximately 200 eggs annually. It is one of the most common products, famous for its taste and useful qualities. From an interesting and informative video, you will learn how eggs get to our table, what is the difference between white and brown products, as well as what way eggs go before they get to the shelves of supermarkets and shops.

Nature has created a unique product, benefits and taste qualities which are indispensable to humans. Follow the rules for keeping laying hens, properly feed the birds and the productivity of the chickens kept on your farm will be high, and the eggs will be tasty and of high quality.

Laying productivity

The number of eggs laid largely depends on the level of care and conditions of laying hens. It is necessary to maintain a comfortable microclimate, as well as provide the chicken with a rich and healthy diet. If the laying hen is not managed correctly, her ability to produce eggs will deteriorate or stop altogether.

Specific figures depend on the natural biorhythms inherent in a particular chicken. Also, the number of eggs is determined by the time of year - in winter, the frequency of laying eggs decreases, and in summer, on the contrary, it increases.

Theoretically, a chicken can lay eggs for 15 years (its body contains from 2 to 4 thousand eggs), but this is impossible, because birds do not live that long. Every year the egg production of hens decreases. After 5 years, a chicken is able to produce from 1 to 2 eggs per week, but old chickens are not kept on the farm - their meat becomes coarse and not tasty. In conditions of large-scale production, a chicken is able to lay eggs for about two years - this is due to the fact that the chicken's body is quickly depleted. They are sent to slaughter or sold to private farms.

Video - How many eggs a laying hen carries a day

The poultry farmer talks about the egg production of Master Gray hens, who live in cages on a private farm. At the age of one and a half years, laying hens produce from 8 to 13 eggs daily. On the video you can see how the farmer communicates with birds, in what conditions he keeps laying hens. It is worth noting that the conditions for keeping chickens in the video are too strict - in order to increase the productivity of layers, it is necessary to place them in a more spacious room.

Increasing the number of eggs produced

Some farmers are faced with the fact that with proper care of hens, the productivity of their eggs is insufficient. There are several useful advice to help solve this problem.


When a hen molts, she stops laying eggs for a while. Some bird owners achieve early molting, creating stressful situations for the hen. The owners keep the birds on a hunger strike and give only water, then the animal begins to molt. After that, you can resume the diet, adding vitamins and minerals that are useful for the body. The molt ends faster, the animal begins to rush.

Features of oviposition of chickens of different breeds

In many ways, it depends on the breed affiliation how many eggs a chicken can carry. There are several types of breeds: egg, meat-egg and meat. Representatives of the first two breeds have the highest performance indicators. Meat chickens are raised for slaughter and subsequent sale of meat.

  1. Russian white. The young grow quickly, with proper care, the bird begins to produce eggs from 4 months. A laying hen of the Russian White breed can bring up to 240 eggs per year, the weight of one egg is up to 60 grams.
  2. Leghorn. The most popular breed in Russia. It is characterized by high performance, easy acclimatization. The shell is white. A laying hen brings up to 300 eggs weighing up to 65 grams per year.
  3. Loman Brown. The eggs of the breed have Brown color. Productivity per year - up to 320 eggs, product weight - up to 64 grams.
  4. Hisex is white. The color of the shell is light, as is the plumage of the individual. It produces up to 315 eggs per year, the maximum weight is 64 grams.
  5. Hy-Linot. One of the most productive breeds, produces white eggs. A laying hen produces up to 350 eggs weighing up to 65 grams per year.

In 1971, the following achievement was recorded: a hen laid 371 eggs per year. More about records: history knows cases when nine yolks were found under one shell at once.

Useful properties of eggs

A chicken egg is a unique product for a person that should be present in everyone's diet. The egg contains vitamins A, B, K, E, D, which are essential for the body. The product also contains the following minerals: phosphorus, chlorine, sulfur, potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron and calcium. Eggs strengthen weakened immunity, restore the heart and blood vessels, participate in the prevention of the appearance of cancer cells, regulate the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, and strengthen bone tissue. Also, the waste product of chickens has a positive effect on vision and strengthens the nervous system.

Nutritionists recommend eating eggs for expectant mothers - they contain folic acid, which is especially useful for the body during this difficult period. But not only women are shown the use of eggs. Eggs are regularly eaten by athletes involved in hard physical labor and dieters. Thanks to the use of eggs, the condition of hair, nails and teeth improves. Eggs are useful for people of absolutely any age.

There is one main contraindication to the use of eggs - an allergy to this product. Reduce Your Egg Consumption If You Are Sick diabetes, have problems with the gastrointestinal tract or liver. More detailed information can be obtained from a doctor.

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