Eggs by breed
How many eggs does an ISA Brown lay?
300 to 350 a year in her first year, about 6 to 7 a week in season. A commercial hybrid: huge first two years, then a steep drop. Expect a shorter laying life than heritage breeds.
Quick answer
| Per day | Per week | Per month | Per year (first year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | 6–7 | 25–29 | 300–350 |
Breed facts
| Egg | brown, large |
|---|---|
| Starts laying | 17–20 weeks |
| Temperament | friendly and calm |
| Climate | adaptable; give shade in hot climates |
| Goes broody | rarely |
| Type | production hybrid |
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 ISA Brown still lays in spring, just less.
Production hybrids fall off faster than heritage breeds: two excellent years, then a steep drop.
How many ISA Browns do I need?
Take the eggs your household eats in a week and divide by 7. For a dozen a week, about 2. Round up; you will thank yourself in January.
What those eggs cost. With 2 ISA Browns 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 ISA Brown lay a day?
At most one. An ISA Brown in full lay gives about 6 to 7 eggs a week, so some days she skips. No hen lays more than one egg a day.
When does an ISA Brown start laying?
Between 17 and 20 weeks old. The first eggs are small and sometimes oddly shaped; that is normal.
Does an ISA Brown lay in winter?
Less. Below about 12 hours of daylight most hens slow sharply or stop, then come back in spring.
How many ISA Browns do I need for a dozen eggs a week?
About 2. Divide the eggs your household eats in a week by 7 and round up.