Eggs by breed
How many eggs does an Araucana lay?
150 to 180 a year in her first year, about 3 a week in season. Rumpless with ear tufts; the Chilean original behind every blue egg.
Quick answer
| Per day | Per week | Per month | Per year (first year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | 3 | 13–15 | 150–180 |
Breed facts
| Egg | blue, medium |
|---|---|
| Starts laying | 20–24 weeks |
| Temperament | active |
| Climate | hardy |
| Goes broody | sometimes |
| Type | heritage breed |
Year one, year two and after
The first full year of laying is the best. Year two runs 10 to 20 percent lower, and each year after drops again. A four-year-old Araucana still lays in spring, just less.
How many Araucanas do I need?
Take the eggs your household eats in a week and divide by 3. For a dozen a week, about 4. Round up; you will thank yourself in January.
What those eggs cost. With 4 Araucanas and a bag of feed a month, the calculator tells you the cost per dozen and when the coop pays for itself. Cost-per-egg calculator.
Common questions
How many eggs does an Araucana lay a day?
At most one. An Araucana in full lay gives about 3 eggs a week, so some days she skips. No hen lays more than one egg a day.
When does an Araucana start laying?
Between 20 and 24 weeks old. The first eggs are small and sometimes oddly shaped; that is normal.
Does an Araucana lay in winter?
Less. Below about 12 hours of daylight most hens slow sharply or stop, then come back in spring.
How many Araucanas do I need for a dozen eggs a week?
About 4. Divide the eggs your household eats in a week by 3 and round up.