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Age matters: What chicken lifespan means for your eggs

Italian nonnas used to say: “An old hen makes good broth”. This is because an old hen has hard meat, and to make it soft, it must be cooked for a long time, allowing the broth to become more flavourful.

But what about old hen’s eggs?

While you might think that all eggs are created equal, your backyard chicken’s age plays a big role in the eggs that end up in your frying pan.

Egg-laying prime time

Chickens, like people, have their prime years. For hens, this golden period is when they first start laying, usually around 18 weeks old. These young go-getters produce eggs that are the picture of perfection – thick shells, large sizes, and rich yolks.

Middle age

As hens mature, usually hitting their second or third year, their egg-laying continues, though it might slow down. The eggs are still good quality, but you might notice a few more irregularities creeping in: an odd-sized egg here, a thinner shell there. However, this varies from bird to bird. Good layers will lay for about 50 to 60 weeks and then have a rest period (the molt). Poorer layers and older hens will molt more often and lay less consistently.

During this stage, it’s crucial to maintain a good diet for your hens. Proper nutrition, especially calcium, is key to keeping those shells strong and the eggs tasty.

Senior hens

When hens reach their later years, usually after the age of three, the egg-laying becomes less frequent. And when they do lay, the eggs tend to be smaller, with thinner shells. Think of these eggs as a bit more delicate – a gentle reminder that these hens have given their all for many years.

But don’t count out these senior hens just yet! While they might not produce as prolifically as their younger counterparts, they can still lay perfectly good eggs. Plus, they’ve earned their place in the coop, and maybe even a little extra love and care from you.

As a little side note: this timeline refers to backyard poultry farming. Within the industry, the bird will start laying from the 18th week and will steadily build up production over a few weeks.

The length of the productive life of a commercial laying hen depends on the number of egg production cycles utilized on the egg farm. After one year of laying, the hen will be approximately 72 weeks old. Typically, the productive life of white laying hens can be extendend longer compared to brown hens, resulting in the production of roughly 350-450 eggs. After this period, the birds are likely to show a decline in production and reduced eggshell quality due to many factors.

The bigger picture

So, why does all this matter? Well, interesting pills of knowledge about chickens first of all. Secondly, if you’re raising chickens for eggs, understanding how their age affects egg quality can help you manage your flock better.

For those buying eggs from the store, the eggs you’re getting are usually from hens in their prime laying years. These eggs are packed with the quality you’d expect—strong shells, golden yolks, and tasty flavour.

In the end, it’s all about balance. Whether your hen is a spring chicken or a golden girl, her age is just one of many factors that contribute to the quality of that delicious morning omelette.