What Time of Day Do Chickens Lay Eggs? 2022 GUIDE

Most people know chickens lay eggs, but what time of day do chickens lay eggs? Do they all lay eggs simultaneously, or does it depend on the chicken? These are questions that many people have, so we’re going to take a closer look at when chickens lay eggs. Keep reading to find out!

What Time of Day Do Chickens Lay Eggs, and Why?

Chickens typically lay eggs early in the morning, often before the rising sun. There are a few reasons for this so let’s look at a few.

• Laying eggs at dawn helps chickens stay cool because during the day the temperatures get pretty hot.
• Laying eggs early in the morning gives chickens the entire day to eat and drink, which helps them to stay healthy and produces strong shells.
• Predators are less active in the early morning hours, so chickens are less likely to be attacked while they’re busy laying eggs.

All these factors combine to make dawn the ideal time for chickens to lay eggs. Read our related article, Chicken Eggs: Everything You Need to Know. We cover chicken eggs from start to finish in this fun guide!

How to Tell if a Chicken is Laying Eggs

Chickens typically lay eggs early in the morning, so if you suspect your chicken is laying eggs, check the nest around sunrise. Eggs are usually laid in a nest the chicken has prepared in advance, so if you find an egg in an unusual location, the chicken is likely disturbed while laying. If you suspect your chicken is laying eggs, but you’re not finding any, check the nest regularly and look for signs of disturbance. With patience, you should be able to tell whether or not your chicken is laying eggs. You may notice your chicken making noises or you may see them laying the egg. Regardless, you’ll know for sure when you see the eggs laid in the nest. Read our related article, Why Do Chickens Lay Unfertilized Eggs? Most people eat unfertilized eggs, and this is why and how they’re made!

The Benefits of Raising Chickens for Eggs

Chickens are poultry birds that are most commonly known for being raised to produce eggs. Chickens can lay anywhere from 1 to 7 eggs daily and usually lay their eggs early in the morning. There are many benefits of raising chickens for eggs:

A Continual Supply of Fresh Eggs

Store-bought eggs can be expensive, and they’re not always fresh. When you have your chickens, you can be assured that the eggs are as fresh as possible.

You’re in Control

Another benefit of having chickens is knowing what the chicken has been fed and what environment it was raised in. When you buy eggs from the store, you never know exactly what went into caring for the egg-laying chickens. When you raise your chickens, you can ensure that they’re fed a healthy diet and raised humanely so you feel better about using the eggs. Read More: How Long Can Chickens Go Without Food and Water? Chickens shouldn’t go longer than a few days without food. Here’s what to know.

Free Fertilizer

In addition to the fresh eggs, raising chickens for eggs can also provide you with a source of fertilizer for your garden or farm. Chicken manure is high in nitrogen and other essential nutrients, making it a perfect natural fertilizer for plants.

It’s Fun!

Finally, raising chickens can be a fun and rewarding experience. Raising chickens is an excellent option whether you are looking for a way to save money or want to have fresh eggs. Read More: What Chickens Lay White Eggs? Want the pure white eggs without the trip to the grocery store? These are the chickens that lay the whitest eggs!

How to Incubate Chicken Eggs So They Hatch

Chickens typically lay eggs early in the morning, so it is best to collect them as soon as possible, especially if you’re looking to incubate them by hand. To incubate chicken eggs, you will need:

• An incubator
• A thermometer
• A humidity gauge

Fill the incubator with warm water and turn it on to get it to the correct temperature. Generally, you want the temperature to be around 99-102 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the eggs in the incubator, ensuring they are not touching each other. Use the thermometer and humidity gauge to monitor the conditions in the incubator and make any necessary adjustments. The time it takes for chicken eggs to hatch can vary, but it is typically 21 days. You will need to keep the temperature and humidity levels consistent during this time until day 15. You will also need to turn the eggs several times a day. Once the eggs hatch, remove them from the incubator and place them in a brooder where they can be cared for properly. Here’s a video showing how to hatch chicken eggs:

Read our related article, How Do You Hatch a Chicken Egg Without an Incubator? No incubator? No problem! Here’s what you need to successfully hatch without one.

What to Do With Chicks Once They’ve Hatched

Once chicks have hatched, there are a few things you need to do to take care of them:

• You need to make sure that they have food and water. Chicks need a particular type of food called “starter feed,” which is higher in protein than regular chicken feed. They also need access to fresh water at all times.
• You need to provide them with a warm place to stay. Chicks need a temperature of between 95 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit for the first week of their lives. After that, you can gradually start lowering the temperature by 5 degrees per week till they are fully feathered and can regulate their body temperature.
• Keep an eye out for signs of illness and injury.

Chicks are very susceptible to diseases, so watching for anything out of the ordinary is essential. If you notice any problems, take them to a vet immediately. By following these simple guidelines, you can ensure that your chicks stay healthy and happy. Read our related article, Why Have My Chickens Stopped Laying Eggs in Summer? If your chickens aren’t laying when they should be, here’s why.

Conclusion

Chickens lay eggs throughout the day but laying peaks in the morning. This knowledge can be helpful to farmers who want to know when they should collect eggs. This article should give you a bit more insight into egg-laying for chickens.