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The Benefits of Raising Chickens for Eggs

If you've been to the grocery store lately, then it's likely you've noticed that egg prices are on the rise.

We often get a lot of interest in our layer hens when the price of eggs goes up. If you’d like to have healthy, ready to lay pullets in the spring, now would be the best time to start planning your spring flock. 

Raising your own backyard chickens is a highly rewarding experience, and a great project for families with young children. It’s a hands-on way to teach responsibility, animal care, and the value of hard work—all while enjoying the benefits of fresh eggs.

If you are new to the world of backyard poultry, we recommend starting with the Myers Poultry Brooding Blog before reading this Q&A. This will give you a complete overview on what it takes to raise healthy, happy birds in your own backyard.

When do chickens start laying eggs?

Some hatcheries sell started pullets, but most hatcheries sell day-old chicks—this means you have to invest time and money into your flock before they will start laying eggs. 

Most breeds start laying their first eggs around 18-22 weeks, or about 6 months of age. For certain breeds, it may be even longer.

Chickens need time to achieve optimal egg shell strength and quality. The first few eggs your chickens lay might be small or irregularly shaped—this is completely normal. It will likely take a few tries before your chickens lay a good quality egg. 

How long do chickens live?

This depends on the breed and quality of care. Generally, chickens can live between 5 to 10 years.

Although chickens can live up to a decade, most chickens will not continue to be productive layers as they age.

Most layer hens reach peak productivity around 1 year of age. After this period, their egg production will continue to decline slightly each year. At just 2-3 years old, your chickens will be laying less eggs than they did previously.

To keep a reliable supply of eggs, growers need to refresh and add to their laying flock every few years. This means that raising chickens for eggs will be an ongoing time commitment and financial investment.

How many chickens should I start with? 

That depends on how much space you have available, as well as the local regulations in your area. Certain zoning laws may restrict the number of chickens you can own, as well as require a certain amount of acreage for your chickens.

At Myers Poultry, we believe you can never have too many chickens. However, we suggest that growers do a bit of planning and research to decide on a number that is right for them. 

We also encourage new poultry keepers to consider other options—chickens are not the only species you can raise for a steady supply of farm fresh eggs. If you have the space available and a source of fresh water on your property, we highly suggest adding ducks to your flock. 

Certain ducks are just as productive (if not more productive) than your typical layer hens. For example, the Khaki Campbell and Golden Layer are very productive egg layers. Ducks are also incredibly hardy, and will continue to lay in the winter if properly cared for.

If you are a home baker, then you'll love the added richness that duck eggs provide in cakes and pastries. Duck eggs are about twice as large as chicken eggs, so they contain higher levels of nutrients and protein.

What are the best egg laying chickens?

We offer many great high production breeds for your backyard flock or farm.

If reliable egg production is your top priority, we recommend any of the sex link breeds, like the Red Sex Link or Black Sex Link. These breeds are well known for their productivity and hardiness.

Rhode Island Red chickens are also a popular option for growers that want large brown eggs. This is an iconic chicken breed that gets a lot of love from poultry enthusiasts.

For the top producer of large white eggs—and the top egg laying breed overall—there is no better choice than the White Leghorn. In optimal conditions, they can lay up to 335 eggs per year. This is where the vast majority of grocery store eggs come from.

Although they are excellent egg producers, we do not recommend the White Leghorn for total beginners. This breed tends to be noisy and flighty, so they are best for experienced chicken keepers, or for those running a commercial operation.

If you are a beginner, friendly breeds like the Buff Orpington, Barred Rock, or Black Australorp are a great place to start. These breeds are typically hardy and offer good egg yield. Plus, they make great backyard pets and companions.

How often do chickens lay eggs?

That depends on the breed, as well as the time of year.

On average, healthy chickens in their prime will lay 4-6 eggs per week.

Because the egg laying process requires a lot of energy, your chickens’ egg production will decrease each year as they age—eggs will also decrease when the temperature drops.

Depending on your local climate, it is natural and completely normal for egg production to slow down in the winter. This is because your chickens are expending energy to stay warm and there is less daylight available.

Chickens need at least 14-16 hours of sunlight in order to lay regularly. You can encourage more egg production by providing your chickens with artificial light in the winter—just make sure your electrical cords are properly grounded and you’re following fire safety protocols.

Do hens lay eggs without a rooster? 

Yes, hens will lay eggs without a rooster. The eggs we eat are unfertilized, so you do not need to have any males in your flock.

While roosters are not for everyone, we do encourage growers to consider adding them to their flock. They are natural flock protectors and do a good job of keeping the pecking order in check.

However, we do not recommend roosters for growers that have neighbors close by, or for inexperienced chicken owners. Some local regulations prohibit roosters entirely, so always do your research before purchasing males for your flock.

What are the benefits of fresh eggs over store bought eggs?

Research suggests that fresh eggs from pastured poultry settings or your own backyard may have more omega-3s and nutrients than chickens that are raised in commercial environments.

When chickens are allowed to express their natural tendencies, like foraging for food and exploring their surroundings, it directly impacts the quality of their eggs. Chickens that supplement their diet with insects and grubs will naturally produce eggs that are richer in vitamins and nutrients.

The other benefit? You can feel a sense of pride knowing that your eggs came from animals that you hand-raised and cared for on your own. We think nothing is more satisfying than that!

How much space do I need to raise laying hens?

We recommend at least 2 to 4 square feet of space in your coop per chicken. In your outdoor run, we recommend at least 8 to 10 square feet of space.

We also highly recommend a fenced in yard or pasture area, so you can allow your chickens to free-range when they are not in the coop and run area.

Chickens need ample space in order to roost and lay. If your chickens are overcrowded, they will become territorial and start fighting over nest boxes. Always make sure you have more space than you think you need for your chickens—happy chickens will be productive chickens. 
 

What do chickens eat, and how much does feed cost?

Chickens are omnivores, so they will eat just about anything. A high-quality chicken feed is all your chickens really need to stay healthy.

However, it's good to supplement your chickens' diet with treats and insects. Allowing chickens to forage for their own insects and grubs is highly beneficial for your backyard flock, as this will help you save on feed costs and enrich their diet at the same time.

Some of our favorite chicken treats include mealworms, sunflower seeds, and soldier fly larvae.

Just don't overdo it on protein, as this can be harmful for your chickens in the long run. Your chickens’ diet should be 90% feed, with 10% being supplemented by treats.
 

How much daily care do chickens require?

In general, chickens are fairly easy to take care of once they reach adulthood. Like all animals, they require fresh food and water every day, plus routine maintenance and cleaning of their coop.

Baby chicks require more care than adults, but if you do your research, it is a fairly straightforward process to raise them at home. If you haven’t already done so, reference our Brooding Blog to learn more.

Is raising my own hens actually cheaper than buying eggs?

The answer to this question is a bit complicated.

Initially, no—raising chickens requires an investment in feed, supplies, coop maintenance, and daily care. These costs will far exceed the price of grocery store eggs.

However, with time and proper flock management, raising your own chickens at home can become more cost-effective than buying eggs from the grocery store.

Beyond the financial aspect, raising your own livestock is an incredibly rewarding experience. There’s nothing quite like watching day-old chicks grow into happy, productive laying hens. And when it comes to fresh eggs, nothing beats those from your own flock—your neighbors, friends, and family will surely appreciate the farm-fresh extras.

Overall, remember the following before you decide to purchase backyard chickens for eggs: 

1.     Consider the time investment
2.     Consider the financial investment
3.     Consider your goals and the breeds you want to raise

If you'd like to add to your flock this spring or start raising your own egg layers, now is the best time to place your order with us.

If you’re ready to get started, but you still have a few lingering questions, feel free to reach out to the team at Myers Poultry. We’re happy to assist you on your journey of raising happy and healthy backyard chickens.