Eggs by breed
How many eggs does a Rhode Island Red lay?
250 to 300 a year in her first year, about 5 to 6 a week in season. The classic backyard layer. Production strains lay more than show strains.
Quick answer
| Per day | Per week | Per month | Per year (first year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | 5–6 | 21–25 | 250–300 |
Breed facts
| Egg | brown, large |
|---|---|
| Starts laying | 18–20 weeks |
| Temperament | confident, sometimes bossy with other hens |
| Climate | hardy in cold and heat |
| Goes broody | rarely |
| 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 Rhode Island Red still lays in spring, just less.
How many Rhode Island Reds do I need?
Take the eggs your household eats in a week and divide by 6. For a dozen a week, about 3. Round up; you will thank yourself in January.
What those eggs cost. With 3 Rhode Island Reds 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 a Rhode Island Red lay a day?
At most one. A Rhode Island Red in full lay gives about 5 to 6 eggs a week, so some days she skips. No hen lays more than one egg a day.
When does a Rhode Island Red start laying?
Between 18 and 20 weeks old. The first eggs are small and sometimes oddly shaped; that is normal.
Does a Rhode Island Red lay in winter?
Less. Below about 12 hours of daylight most hens slow sharply or stop, then come back in spring.
How many Rhode Island Reds do I need for a dozen eggs a week?
About 3. Divide the eggs your household eats in a week by 6 and round up.