How an egg farm works

By 18 or 19 weeks, a hen usually starts laying eggs. Most Iowa hens go through two egg-laying cycles.

Peak production for a hen is between 6 and 7 months of age, after which they begin to produce fewer eggs, and shells that aren't as sturdy.

Molting: At 15 to 20 months of age, the hen begins to naturally molt, or lose its feathers and becomes unproductive. Four to eight weeks later, the hens begin a new egg-laying cycle, again producing high-quality eggs.

Lifetime: The birds remain productive until between 22 to 30 months of age. After this, the facility sells the birds to a slaughterhouse and begins again with a new flock.