Eggs by breed
How many eggs does a Silkie lay?
100 to 120 a year in her first year, about 2 a week in season. Broody half the year. Count on far fewer eggs than the number suggests.
Quick answer
| Per day | Per week | Per month | Per year (first year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | 2 | 8–10 | 100–120 |
Breed facts
| Egg | cream, small |
|---|---|
| Starts laying | 24–28 weeks |
| Temperament | sweet, a pet first |
| Climate | poor in wet and cold; feathers do not shed water |
| Goes broody | often |
| Type | bantam |
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 Silkie still lays in spring, just less.
How many Silkies do I need?
Take the eggs your household eats in a week and divide by 2. For a dozen a week, about 6. Round up; you will thank yourself in January.
What those eggs cost. With 6 Silkies 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 Silkie lay a day?
At most one. A Silkie in full lay gives about 2 eggs a week, so some days she skips. No hen lays more than one egg a day.
When does a Silkie start laying?
Between 24 and 28 weeks old. The first eggs are small and sometimes oddly shaped; that is normal.
Does a Silkie lay in winter?
Less. Below about 12 hours of daylight most hens slow sharply or stop, then come back in spring.
How many Silkies do I need for a dozen eggs a week?
About 6. Divide the eggs your household eats in a week by 2 and round up.