When people think of chickens, the first thing that comes to mind is often a fresh egg sizzling on a frying pan. But while we’ve come to expect chickens to lay eggs daily , the reality is more nuanced and fascinating than most people assume. Instead of simply asking how many eggs a chicken lays per day , let’s take a deeper look into the science, history, and nature of egg-laying —and why one egg per day isn’t always the rule. 🐔 Nature’s Clock: The Chicken’s Egg-Laying Cycle Explained A common myth is that every hen lays one egg a day without fail . While many breeds come close, biological rhythms and environmental triggers play a significant role in how many eggs a chicken produces. According to the University of Florida IFAS Extension , the average healthy, mature hen lays about five to six eggs per week , not necessarily one every day. Hens have a 24-26 hour ovulation cycle , which means a chicken might lay an egg today at 8 a.m., and tomorrow at 10 a.m.—until eventually, t...