So, you have your Wyandotte chickens and are looking forward to finally having farm-fresh eggs.
However, it’s taking a while.
When will your Wyandotte chickens start laying eggs for you to enjoy?
Wyandotte chickens will start laying eggs around 5 or 6 months old and continue consistently laying 4 to 5 eggs a week until they are 3 years old. This means expecting more than 200 eggs yearly from a single Wyandotte hen.
Keep reading to learn more about Wyandotte chickens’ egg production, if they go broody, and ways to increase egg production and quality.
What Is A Wyandotte’s Egg Production Like?
Wyandotte chickens mature slightly faster than average compared to other breeds.
They will start laying eggs at around 5 months old.
It varies between 18 to 20 weeks.
Once they start laying eggs, these beautiful birds will lay 4 to 5 cream or light brown eggs weekly.
Their eggs are on the larger side, just like the chicken breed themselves.
This turns into 200 to 240 eggs per year, depending on the individual’s laying habits.
They’re pretty decent egg layers.
Egg laying varies between the different varieties of Wyandotte chickens.
Some varieties produce more eggs per week, and some have different eggshell colors.
Depending on the coloring of your bird, your eggs might be an almost white cream color or a dark brown.
Many backyard bird breeds will slow down or stop laying eggs during the cold winter months.
This is less of a concern with Wyandottes.
This is because the cold hardy birds deal more with cold winter conditions than other breeds.
It depends on the variety, but many will lay eggs through winter.
Learn more: Are Wyandotte Chickens Heat Tolerant?
The Wyandotte is a dual-purpose bird, which is good for meat and egg production.
They don’t produce as many eggs as a breed like the Rhode Island Red, but they make a great meal if you are disappointed with their egg-laying capabilities.
Plus, you’ll be set on eggs with a whole flock of these fluffy birds.
| Eggs Per Week | 4 to 5 eggs |
| Color | Cream or light brown |
| Size | Large |
| Eggs Per Year | 200 to 240 |
| Age When Laying Starts | 5 months old |
How Long Do They Lay Eggs?
Count on your Wyandotte chickens providing eggs until she reaches the age of 3 years old.
While they start laying eggs at 5 or 6 months old, they might not lay consistently until a few months later.
Once they start laying consistently, they’ll stick with their laying patterns until 3 years old.
At this point, her egg laying will most likely be less frequent and consistent.
She can still produce eggs for the rest of her life, though, and there are some champion egg layers that retain consistent production their entire lives.
Further Reading: Wyandotte chicken growth chart and expectations
Do They Go Broody?
Wyandotte hens are not known for going broody, but this also depends on the strain.
Certain varieties of these American chickens are more prone to sit on their eggs to raise chicks.
If your hen goes broody and successfully hatch some baby chicks, you’ll find her a good, protective mother.
This is something to consider when deciding what full-size or bantam variety of Wyandotte to get.
With the endless variety available for this breed, it helps to have a few goals in mind.
If your goal is breakfast or selling eggs, you do not want a broody strain.
On the other hand, you may want to increase or maintain your flock size by hatching chicks.
Some incubators are known for producing hens more or less likely to go broody.
Ask your hatchery or breeder what their broodiness rates are if this is something important to you.
Further Reading: More about Wyandotte hens going broody
Increasing Egg Health and Quality In Wyandottes
Your hens are laying eggs, but they are not of the highest quality.
Luckily, the solution to higher quality eggs for your farm family is pretty easy.
High-quality eggs come from a high-quality diet.
Your hens need the right nutrients to guarantee consistent egg production with good shells.
The ideal diet is a 16% protein layer feed with supplemental treats.
Offer high protein treats, like nuts or cooked chicken, to ensure she has enough energy for egg production.
A lack of calcium is the usual culprit if your shells are weak and break easily.
Add a lot of calcium supplements to the feeding area or offer high calcium treats.
Foods high in calcium include oyster shells and ground-up egg shells.
Even eggs with strong shells will break if laid in an area not optimized for egg laying.
Add a thick layer of good bedding to her nesting box and ensure the nesting area is warm and dry.
Why Is My Wyandotte Chicken Not Laying Eggs?
If your Wyandotte hens are laying fewer than 4 eggs a week or are not laying at all, there are a few potential reasons for this:
Your hens are too young and haven’t fully matured yet.
Wait until they are older than 20 weeks to start worrying.
Your hens are older than 3 years, which is when their egg-laying habits typically change.
It’s winter, and they are too cold.
Many Wyandotte chickens will lay even in the dead of winter, but it depends on their nesting area’s variety and warmth.
It’s the molting season.
When chickens molt, AKA they lose their mature feathers, their protein intake focuses on growing new colored feathers.
This means they don’t have as much energy for egg production.
Increase their protein intake and wait for the molting season to finish.
They are broody.
Instead of focusing on producing eggs, they want to incubate and hatch them for chicks.
They are experiencing health issues.
They could have internal parasites, external parasites, or another disease.
If you aren’t able to find another reason for egg production to stop, contact your vet about what signs of illness to look for, such as being out of the acceptable weight range.
They’re stressed.
If their environment is causing a lot of stress, they do not feel safe laying eggs.
Stress also negatively impacts their health, which ties into the previous reason.
Monitor for behavior issues to check for stress.
They aren’t consuming enough nutrients.
They need a lot of protein and calcium to produce eggs, and you need to provide enough in their diet.
Chickens also need plenty of fresh water.
Your hens are laying eggs, but the eggs are missing or hidden.
Sometimes hens eat their eggs, and sometimes a predator steals them for dinner.
Another possibility is your hen is simply laying the eggs outside her nesting box.
Guarantee the coop is safe and the nesting box is comfortable.
