Hey there fellow backyard poultry enthusiasts! Today I’m diving into one of the most basic yet fascinating topics in the poultry world – the female chicken that lays eggs commonly known as a hen or laying hen. Whether you’re just starting your backyard flock or simply curious about where your breakfast comes from, this article will crack open everything you need to know about these amazing birds!
What Do We Call a Female Chicken That Lays Eggs?
Let’s get right to the point – a female chicken that lays eggs is called a hen. More specifically, when we’re talking about chickens raised primarily for egg production, we often call them laying hens.
While this might seem like a simple answer there’s actually a bit more to it
- Pullet: A young female chicken that hasn’t started laying eggs yet (typically under 20 weeks of age)
- Hen: A mature female chicken that has begun laying eggs
- Layer: Another common term for a hen raised specifically for egg production
- Spent hen or Boiling fowl: An older hen whose egg production has declined
I remember when I first got my backyard flock, I was confused by all these terms! But understanding the lifecycle of laying hens is super important for proper care.
The Life Cycle of a Laying Hen
The journey from chick to productive egg-layer is fascinating and follows a predictable pattern:
From Chick to Pullet
When chicks first hatch, poultry farmers need to determine their sex – a process called sexing. According to the information from De Heus Kidzz, there are three main methods
- Examining the cloaca (difficult)
- Feather-sexing (looking at feather length)
- Color-sexing (examining plumage colors)
Female chicks are typically kept for egg production, while male chicks often have different destinies in commercial operations.
First Egg – A Milestone!
A young hen (pullet) typically lays her first egg around 20 weeks of age. This first egg is usually smaller than what she’ll produce later, as she’s still developing. I still remember the excitement of finding that first tiny egg in my nesting box – it was like a little miracle!
As the hen matures, her eggs gradually increase in size. A mature laying hen can produce an egg almost daily – that’s up to 350-370 eggs in her lifetime according to the De Heus Kidzz information!
The Amazing Reproductive System of Hens
What makes hens so special is their incredible reproductive system. Unlike mammals, birds have evolved a unique way to reproduce that allows them to remain lightweight enough to fly (though our domestic chickens aren’t great flyers!).
The One-Sided Wonder
According to information from the poultry extension website, the female chicken’s reproductive system has a fascinating quirk – only the left ovary and oviduct are functional! While the female embryo has two ovaries, only the left one typically develops, with the right one regressing during development.
This one ovary contains thousands of potential eggs (ova) that could theoretically be laid, though most never develop to the point of ovulation.
The Egg-Making Factory
The hen’s reproductive system consists of two main parts:
- The ovary – where yolks (ova) develop
- The oviduct – a 25-27 inch long twisted tube where the rest of the egg forms
When a yolk is released from the ovary (ovulation), it enters the oviduct which has five specialized sections:
- Infundibulum (3-4 inches) – captures the yolk; site of fertilization if mating has occurred
- Magnum (13 inches) – adds the thick albumen (egg white)
- Isthmus (4 inches) – forms inner and outer shell membranes
- Shell gland/uterus (4-5 inches) – adds the hard shell and any pigment
- Vagina (4-5 inches) – helps push the egg out during laying
The whole process from ovulation to laying takes about 25-26 hours. Amazing, right? I’m still impressed by this efficient egg factory every time I collect eggs from my hens!
Egg-Laying Patterns: Clutches and Light
Hens don’t just lay eggs randomly – they follow specific patterns:
Clutch Laying
Chickens lay eggs in what we call clutches – groups of eggs laid on consecutive days, followed by a rest day or more before starting another clutch.
In nature, this makes sense for nesting purposes, but commercial egg producers and backyard chicken keepers often want more consistent laying. That’s where light management comes in!
The Light Factor
One of the most fascinating aspects of chicken egg production is how it’s influenced by light. According to the poultry extension information, a hen’s reproductive system is highly sensitive to light exposure, particularly the number of daylight hours.
In nature, chickens typically only lay eggs during spring when days are longer. That’s why commercial poultry farmers and even backyard enthusiasts manipulate light to trick hens into thinking it’s spring year-round!
As the De Heus Kidzz content explains: “In nature, a chicken only lays eggs in spring. That’s why a poultry farmer will create conditions in the chicken shed that resemble springtime.” The lights are typically on for 16 hours daily to simulate spring conditions.
Common Egg Issues and Irregularities
Sometimes things don’t go perfectly in the egg-laying process. Here are some common irregularities you might encounter:
- Double-yolked eggs – Occurs when two yolks are released in quick succession
- Blood spots – Small breaks in blood vessels during ovulation
- Shell-less eggs – Eggs with membranes but no hard shell (often due to calcium deficiency)
- Body checks – Damaged shells that were repaired before laying
- Abnormal shapes – Eggs that don’t have the typical oval shape
I’ve seen most of these in my own flock over the years. While they might look strange, most of these irregularities don’t affect the edibility of the eggs – they just might not look as pretty!
The Commercial Life of Laying Hens
On commercial farms, laying hens are kept in large flocks. According to the De Heus Kidzz information, a chicken shed can house anywhere from 20,000 to 100,000 chickens! These are typically divided into compartments of 6,000 to 25,000 birds.
A commercial hen’s productive life usually lasts about 80 weeks. After this point, egg production begins to decline, and it becomes less economically viable to keep the hens. At this stage, they’re often referred to as “spent hens” or “boiling fowl” and are processed for meat products.
Types of Laying Hen Housing Systems
There are several ways laying hens can be housed, each with their own advantages and considerations:
Conventional Cages
- Historically common but being phased out in many regions
- Limited space per bird
- Efficient for egg collection
Enriched Cages
- Larger than conventional cages
- Include perches, nesting areas, and scratching areas
- Better welfare while maintaining efficiency
Cage-Free Systems
- Barn or aviary systems where hens can move freely
- Access to perches, nesting boxes, and litter for dust bathing
- Higher production costs but better for welfare
Free-Range Systems
- Indoor housing plus outdoor access
- Allows for natural behaviors like foraging
- Weather dependent and requires more land
Pasture-Raised
- Maximum outdoor access with rotating pastures
- Most natural lifestyle for chickens
- Typically smaller scale operations
I’ve tried different setups with my backyard flock, and personally prefer a free-range approach with a secure coop for nighttime. My hens seem happiest when they can scratch around the yard!
Caring for Your Laying Hens
If you’re keeping backyard chickens, here are some essential tips for maintaining healthy, productive laying hens:
Feed for Productivity
- Layer feed with approximately 16% protein
- Calcium supplementation (oyster shell) for strong eggshells
- Fresh water available at all times
- Limited treats to avoid nutritional imbalances
Housing Requirements
- Minimum of 4 square feet per bird in coop
- Ventilation without drafts
- Predator-proof construction
- Clean, dry bedding
Health Considerations
- Regular parasite control (internal and external)
- Dust bathing areas for natural parasite control
- Monitoring for common illnesses
- Proper vaccination schedule
Egg Collection
- Collect eggs at least once daily
- Provide one nesting box per 4-5 hens
- Keep nesting material clean
- Store eggs properly – pointy end down!
Fun Facts About Laying Hens
Before I wrap up, here are some fun facts about laying hens that might surprise you:
- A hen doesn’t need a rooster to lay eggs (though those eggs won’t be fertilized)
- Hens can recognize and remember over 100 different chicken faces
- The color of a hen’s earlobes often indicates the color of eggshell she’ll produce
- Chickens have excellent color vision and can see ultraviolet light
- The average chicken lays about 250-300 eggs per year in her prime
So there you have it – a female chicken that lays eggs is a hen, but she’s so much more than just that simple definition! These incredible birds have evolved one of the most efficient reproductive systems in the animal kingdom.
Whether you’re raising backyard chickens or simply enjoying eggs for breakfast, I hope you’ve gained a new appreciation for the humble laying hen. Their biology is fascinating, and the process of egg formation is truly a marvel of nature.
Have you ever kept laying hens? What’s been your experience? I’d love to hear about your flock in the comments below!
Until next time, happy chicken keeping!
Signs That a Hen Will Start Laying Soon
Your pullets have reached production age and now you’re on the edge of your seat waiting for that first egg…. but you haven’t collected it yet. Don’t worry, there is nothing wrong with your pullets as long as they are healthy and you are feeding them a complete layer feed with a free-choice calcium made available as well.
While you are waiting, there are few signs that you can watch for in your maturing pullets that may indicate they are getting ready to lay their first egg. Watch for these signs that indicate a pullet will start laying soon:
- larger & redder combs and wattles
- exploring the nesting boxes
- increased appetite
- submissive squat
Keep in mind that if you notice one of your chickens developing a larger and redder comb and wattles before 10-12 weeks of age, that chicken may be a rooster! Roosters naturally have larger and brighter colored facial features than hens, which may start showing up as early as three weeks of age. However, young pullets who are reaching the age of laying will have hormones that cause their combs and wattles to get bigger and redder as well.
You can encourage the young pullets to start checking out the nesting boxes by placing fake eggs or even golf balls in the boxes. The fake eggs can be helpful for teaching the new layers where they should lay their eggs. You may also hear a pullet starting to sing her egg song or being noisy as she checks out the nesting boxes.
Another sign to watch for is the submissive squat. The submissive squat is a behavior that young pullets and hens exhibit as a mating response. The submissive squat is when a hen crouches down and holds her wings out to the side. This position makes it easier for a rooster to mount her and mate with her. Sometimes a young pullet will display this behavior when you go to pick her up.
Lastly, you may notice that the young pullets start eating more prior to laying their first eggs. Producing eggs takes lots of energy, so the pullets will be eating more food once they start laying. Make sure you switch your young chickens to a complete layer feed at 18-20 weeks of age so that they can get the nutrition they need to start laying. Providing a free-choice calcium supplement is a good idea to ensure your pullets can get the calcium they need to make strong eggshells.
Do Chickens Lay Eggs in the Winter?
Another factor that affects when any breed of chicken will start laying is the time of year. A hen needs a certain amount of daylight hours in order to start laying or keep laying. Winter is often a time of decreased egg production since the daylight hours are shorter. Pullets who are raised in late summer or fall may not start laying until the following spring even though they reach production maturity during the winter. Once they start receiving between 12-14 hours of daylight, that will trigger production and cause them to start laying.
Pullets who are raised in spring or early summer may mature soon enough to start laying before the days are too short to stop egg production. Many times, pullets who start laying in late summer or fall will continue laying right through the winter months.
Here are some of the best chicken breeds for egg production, including both production breeds and dual-purpose heritage breeds! And if you’re wondering when a certain chicken breed will start laying, here’s a quick guide to some of the common chicken breeds and when the pullets may start laying:
|
Breed |
Age to Start Laying Eggs |
Age When Egg Production Declines* |
|
Rhode Island Red |
5–6 months |
6–7 years |
|
ISA Brown |
4–5 months |
2–3 years |
|
Leghorn |
5–6 months |
6–7 years |
|
Plymouth Rock |
6 months |
6–7 years |
|
Easter Egger |
6 months |
6–7 years |
|
Silkie |
9 months |
6–7 years |
|
Marans |
6 months |
6–7 years |
|
Sussex |
5–6 months |
6–7 years |
|
Australorp |
5–6 months |
6–7 years |
|
Orpington |
6 months |
6–7 years |
|
Wyandotte |
6 months |
6–7 years |
|
Golden Comet |
16 weeks |
2–3 years |
|
Lohmann Brown |
19 weeks |
1-2 years |
|
Minorca |
26 weeks |
6–7 years |
|
Brahma |
26–28 weeks |
6–7 years |
|
Cochin |
26–28 weeks |
6–7 years |
|
Jersey Giant |
26–28 weeks |
6–7 years |
|
Andalusian |
5–6 months |
6–7 years |
|
Ancona |
5–6 months |
6–7 years |
|
Hamburg |
5–6 months |
6–7 years |
|
Polish |
20-24 weeks |
2-3 years |
|
Ameracauna |
25-30 weeks |
5-7 years |
|
Araucana |
20-24 weeks |
2-3 years |
|
Barnevelder |
8-10 months |
3-4 years |
|
Welsummer |
6 months |
3-4 years |
|
Dominique |
5-6 months |
3-4 years |
|
Faverolles |
5-6 months |
3-4 years |
When Do Chickens Start To Lay Eggs? 3 Easy Ways To Tell
FAQ
What does it mean if a female hen lays eggs?
This is a hen, which means she’s a female who has begun laying eggs. Majna / Shutterstock A hen is an adult female chicken that has reached sexual maturity. Once a female bird starts laying eggs, she’s classified as a hen. Egg laying typically begins around 18 to 20 weeks of age, depending on the breed and health conditions.
Do all chickens lay eggs?
In fact, only female chickens, known as hens, have the capability to lay eggs. Male chickens, on the other hand, do not possess this reproductive ability. So, it is incorrect to assume that all chickens can lay eggs as hens are the only ones capable of this remarkable feat. Furthermore, even among hens, the ability to lay eggs varies.
Can a female chicken be a hen?
On the other hand, chickens can be male or female, and they are used for both meat production and egg-laying. While not all chickens lay eggs, it is generally accepted that a female chicken becomes a hen once she has laid her first egg, which can happen between 8 months to 2 years of age.
When does a female chicken become a hen?
While not all chickens lay eggs, it is generally accepted that a female chicken becomes a hen once she has laid her first egg, which can happen between 8 months to 2 years of age. Additionally, hens are usually smaller than most chickens and are less likely to have waddles or combs on their heads.
What is a female chicken’s reproductive system?
The common exit point for both reproductive and digestive systems, through which the egg is laid. Hormones like estrogen and progesterone regulate the egg production process, ovulation, and the reproductive cycle. “The female chicken’s reproductive system is a complex and highly efficient structure designed to produce eggs on a regular basis.”
Is a chicken a hen?
In casual conversation, people often use “chicken” and “hen” interchangeably — but they’re not quite the same. A quick chicken vs. hen comparison clarifies distinctions based on age, sex, and role in poultry farming, meat production, and egg laying. What Is a Chicken? What Is a Hen? What About Male Chickens? Why the Confusion? What Is a Chicken?
What is a female chicken that lays eggs called?
A female chicken that lays eggs is called a hen. This term refers to a sexually mature adult female chicken that has started laying eggs. For chickens specifically bred for egg production, the term laying hen is also used.
Do female chickens lay eggs?
What is it called when a chicken lays on its eggs?
“Going broody” is what we call it when a chicken—a hen specifically—decides she wants to be a mother and starts sitting on her eggs to incubate them. She lays, or steals, enough eggs to make a giant clutch of them.
What is female chicken called?