How long is the typical lifespan of a commercial layer hen?

The typical lifespan of a commercial layer hen is generally around 2 to 3 years. During this period, hens are usually kept in production to lay eggs, and their peak egg production occurs during the first year of their life. After reaching this peak, egg production tends to decline significantly in the second year. While hens can live longer than this, commercial operations often replace them after two to three years due to reduced productivity, making this the standard timeframe for their lifespan in commercial settings. This practice allows farms to maintain optimal egg production efficiency by ensuring that younger hens are in the laying cycle, which is most productive during their first couple of years. Therefore, 2 to 3 years accurately reflects the timeframe most often associated with the lifecycle of commercial layers.