A hen can lay at most one egg per day, as it takes about 24 to 26 hours for a hen to produce a single egg
. However, hens do not lay eggs every single day consistently; on average, a healthy hen lays roughly 4 to 6 eggs per week, which translates to about 0.6 to 0.85 eggs per day
. Factors such as breed, age, diet, environment, and time of year influence egg production. For example, commercial laying hens, selectively bred for high productivity, can lay close to one egg per day, resulting in about 300 eggs annually
. In contrast, less prolific hens may lay fewer eggs. Light exposure also affects laying frequency; hens require around 14 hours of light daily to maintain consistent egg production year-round
. During shorter daylight periods or stressful conditions, hens may lay fewer eggs or pause laying temporarily
. In summary:
- Maximum: 1 egg per day (rarely more)
- Average: about 4-6 eggs per week (0.6 to 0.85 eggs/day)
- Annual production for good layers: around 250 to 300 eggs per year
This means while a hen can lay one egg a day, typical production is somewhat less due to natural cycles and external factors.
