Broiler hens can lay eggs. Known as parent birds, stock breeders, or broiler breeders, chickens who give birth to and fertilize eggs destined for broiler farms are integral to the poultry industry. ... Eggs are collected and sent to hatcheries, where the lives of broiler chickens begin.

How long does it take broilers to lay eggs?

Later on, the females and males will be moved into the breeding barn. Hens begin laying eggs at approximately 26 weeks of age. They will lay between 145 and 150 eggs before the end of their expected lay period approximately 35 to 40 weeks later.

Can broiler chickens reproduce?

Raising Broiler Chickens: BREED SELECTION

Because the breeding program is fierce it is impossible for small homesteads to reproduce a broiler chicken breed. Hatcheries produce thousands of chicks yearly, and through selective breeding and heavy culling only chicks which are similar to the broiler breed are sold.