Chickens naturally produce eggs almost daily without needing a rooster, though timing depends on breed, with production breeds like Leghorns giving 5-6 eggs weekly while heritage breeds produce 4-5 eggs per week.• Hens show clear signs before laying: bright red combs and wattles, submissive squatting behavior, and interest in nest boxes• First eggs may be tiny "fairy eggs" without yolks or shell-less eggs before regular production begins• The float test determines egg freshness - fresh eggs lay flat in water while old eggs float• Newly laid eggs have a protective coating called "bloom" that seals thousands of tiny pores• Egg production depends on daylight hours (14-16 hours needed) and decreases in winter or during stress• No evidence supports conspiracy theories about feed companies sabotaging backyard egg production• Higher quality chicken feed results in more eggs per hen annually• Farm eggs offer thicker shells, more omega-3s, better cholesterol profiles, and higher beta-carotene than store eggs• Commercial egg cartons are dated by packaging day, not laying day, often 4 or more weeks old at purchaseCheck out our videos at CENLA Backyard Chickens on YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.Feel free to ask a question or leave a comment.Support the show

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