Quick answers
| Question | Answer | Scope | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How long they live | Up to about 7 years. Hens lay well for roughly the first 2 to 4 of those years. | Hens kept for eggs (Colorado State page) | Colorado State University Extension | |
| When hens start laying | At 18 to 20 weeks of age according to Oregon State. | Pullets (young hens), Oregon State guide | Oregon State University Extension | |
| When hens start laying (second source) | At around 20 to 22 weeks according to Ohio State. The Oregon and Ohio guides disagree, so we list both. | Hens, Ohio State fact sheet | Ohio State University Extension | |
| Peak laying | At about 35 weeks, when a hen lays on more than 90 percent of days. | Pullets, Oregon State guide | Oregon State University Extension | |
| How long an egg takes | About 24 to 26 hours from start to finish. | Hens, Ohio State fact sheet | Ohio State University Extension | |
| Daylight needed to keep laying | More than 12 hours of light a day, holding steady or getting longer; 14 to 16 hours is typical. | Laying hens, Oregon State guide | Oregon State University Extension | |
| Why laying slows | Hens lay fewer eggs as they get older and during the winter months. | Hens, Colorado State page | Colorado State University Extension | |
| What eats chickens | Dogs, snakes, rats, owls and hawks, plus raccoons, mink and fishers. | Backyard flocks, Colorado State page | Colorado State University Extension |
In the sources’ own words
How long they live
Colorado State University Extension, Poultry“Hens are productive egg layers for 2-4 years and have a life expectancy of up to 7 years.”
Scope: Hens kept for eggs (Colorado State page)
When hens start laying
Oregon State University Extension, Why Did My Chickens Stop Laying? (PNW 565)“A pullet (young female chicken) begins laying eggs at 18 to 20 weeks of age.”
Scope: Pullets (young hens), Oregon State guide
When hens start laying (second source)
Ohio State University Extension (Ohioline), Fact sheet VME-0021“Hens start egg production when they reach sexual maturity at around 20–22 weeks of age.”
Scope: Hens, Ohio State fact sheet
Peak laying
Oregon State University Extension, Why Did My Chickens Stop Laying? (PNW 565)“She reaches peak production at about 35 weeks, with a production rate greater than 90 percent…”
Scope: Pullets, Oregon State guide
How long an egg takes
Ohio State University Extension (Ohioline), Fact sheet VME-0021“In a hen, it takes approximately 24–26 hours to produce an egg.”
Scope: Hens, Ohio State fact sheet
Daylight needed to keep laying
Oregon State University Extension, Why Did My Chickens Stop Laying? (PNW 565)“…day length must increase or remain constant at more than 12 hours per day; a 14- to 16-hour day is typical.”
Scope: Laying hens, Oregon State guide
Why laying slows
Colorado State University Extension, Poultry“Egg production decreases as they age. Also, expect less eggs during the winter months.”
Scope: Hens, Colorado State page
What eats chickens
Colorado State University Extension, Chickens and Predators“…chickens are also the subject of great interest to everything from domestic dogs to snakes, rats, owls, and hawks.”
“…when raccoons and members of the mink or fisher family are among the predators.”
Scope: Backyard flocks, Colorado State page
What these sources do not say
- How long roosters live. The lifespan figure is written for hens.
- Differences between breeds. None of these pages breaks the laying age or lifespan down by breed.