Eggs by breed
How many eggs does a White Leghorn lay?
280 to 320 a year in her first year, about 5 to 6 a week in season. The most efficient layer on a backyard feed bill: small body, big output.
Quick answer
| Per day | Per week | Per month | Per year (first year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | 5–6 | 23–27 | 280–320 |
Breed facts
| Egg | white, large |
|---|---|
| Starts laying | 16–18 weeks |
| Temperament | active and flighty, not a lap chicken |
| Climate | handles heat well; the big comb can get frostbite in hard winters |
| 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 White Leghorn still lays in spring, just less.
How many White Leghorns 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 White Leghorns 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 White Leghorn lay a day?
At most one. A White Leghorn 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 White Leghorn start laying?
Between 16 and 18 weeks old. The first eggs are small and sometimes oddly shaped; that is normal.
Does a White Leghorn lay in winter?
Less. Below about 12 hours of daylight most hens slow sharply or stop, then come back in spring.
How many White Leghorns 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.