What Is the Target Weight for Laying Hens?

All adult female chickens lay eggs. The hen's size, shape, annual egg production, and required food intake depends upon its breed. The American Poultry Association recognizes six different standard breed classes: American, Asiatic, English, Mediterranean, Continental, and Other.

  1. Mediterranean and Continental Classes

    • Mediterranean breeds are known for having tight, sleek bodies.

      These birds tend to be small flighty birds that lay large white eggs. White leghorns and Polish crested are both common breeds in the United States, with hens weighing in at approximately 4 1/2 lbs.

    American and English Class

    • A barred rock hen is a friendly, robust, reliable layer.

      These heartier breeds have a higher feed-to-egg ratio but lay at a more consistent rate for several years. Common breeds include Plymouth Rocks and Rhode Island reds. Plymouth Rock hens weigh around 7 1/2 lbs at maturity. Rhode Island red hens will weigh around 6 1/2 lbs.

    Asiatic Class

    • Brahmas are one of the largest breeds of chickens.

      Asiatic Class breeds tend to be large and have feathered legs. Contrary to popular belief, the hens lay quite well. Standard cochin hens will grow to be roughly 8 1/2 lbs. Brahma hens will get even larger, weighing in at approximately 9 lbs.

    High Production Hybrids

    • Most of the brown "grocery store" eggs are from ISA browns.

      Commercial egg producers use hybrid strains that lay nearly every day and have very minimal food requirements given optimum housing conditions. Common breeds are ISA brown and California whites. ISA brown hens weigh approximately 6 1/2 lbs; California white hens weigh 5 1/2 lbs.