How many chickens do I need to get at least 9 eggs weekly?

1. 58

   earnforlifeposted 10 years ago

   How many chickens do I need to get at least 9 eggs weekly?
   
   I am considering purchasing a chicken coop for my sons. They like eggs and I heard that raising chickens for eggs is cost effective and easy to do. Nine eggs weekly would be fine because I do not want to have too many chickens. I am not sure how many chickens would produce this amount.
   
   

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2. 95

   chef-de-jourposted 10 years ago

   A hen takes about 20 hours/24 hours to produce an egg IF FED ENOUGH OF THE RIGHT FOOD - protein especially is important to keep the shells strong and the bird healthy. You can give supplements too and other scraps.
   
   I'd say you'll need at least 7 healthy hens of the right age. If they're too old they won't produce consistently good eggs, too young and they won't be ready for steady production.

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3. 93

   peeplesposted 10 years ago

   If you buy hens who are already of age you could easily get 7-14 eggs from two hens a week. 3 hens would pretty much guarantee this as long as they are being fed the right diet. Again, don't buy chicks, buy full grown laying hens. My sons love their chickens.

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   1. 58

      earnforlifeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for that answer. So with your own experience 3 hens would be fine. That's great because I really would not want to have more than a few to care for.

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   2. 93

      peeplesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      We have 3. One for each child and get plenty. I have noticed though the kids who only liked eggs a little before have began eating them a lot more now that they are involved in gathering them. Fun! 3 is plenty!

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4. 96

   DrMark1961posted 10 years ago

   I do not know of any hen that can defy the laws of nature and produce an egg in less than 24 hours; it usually takes more like 26 hours.
   Peeples answer is fine. If you really only want 9 eggs a week 3 hens are plenty, but you will probably end up with over a dozen per week. If you have extra, give them to a neighbor!

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   1. 58

      earnforlifeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks DrMark. I think I'd store the extra!

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