If you’ve had chickens for a while, you will have gone out to collect the eggs only to find a tiny egg. Not just a small egg, but a tiny egg that makes all of the normal-sized eggs look giant.
There are a lot of myths surrounding tiny eggs. The strange names, like “fairy egg,” “witch egg,” “cock egg” (meaning laid by a rooster), and “fart egg” (meaning “what would happen if a hen farted”), let you know.
Some bird owners who have been doing this for a long time say that small eggs mean that a laying hen is almost done laying eggs. While other people say tiny, fairy eggs are most common when hens are just beginning to lay and even call them “practice eggs”.
For people who keep chickens in their backyards, seeing the first eggs from their flock is a big deal. You may notice, though, that these first eggs aren’t very big. This may make you wonder why chickens lay small eggs in the first place. In this article, we’ll talk about why chickens often lay small eggs and what to expect as your flock grows up.
Why Are First Eggs Small?
As they learn to lay eggs, it’s normal for pullets (young hens) to lay smaller eggs at first. Because their reproductive systems are still growing, the eggs they lay will be smaller than those from hens that are fully grown.
People sometimes call these little eggs “first eggs” or “pullet eggs.” They usually weigh between 35 and 50 grams, while normal-sized eggs weigh between 50 and 60 grams. When you put them next to each other, you can really tell the difference!
How Long Do Small Eggs Last?
Pullets usually start laying around 16-24 weeks old. For some breeds, this can be even earlier.
For the first few weeks and months that a pullet lays eggs, they will be small. As the pullet gets older, the eggs will get bigger.
It typically takes 4-6 months from the onset of laying for eggs to reach their maximum size. Some hens may take up to a year to lay really large eggs consistently.
So while small eggs in young chickens are temporary, you should see the size increase steadily over several months of laying.
Factors Affecting Egg Size
While age is the primary factor, there are some other elements that influence egg size in backyard chickens:
-
Breed – Some breeds naturally lay larger eggs than others. For example, Australorps, Orpingtons, and Jersey Giants tend to lay very large eggs.
-
Body Weight – Heavier hens over 2.5-3kg lay larger eggs. Pullets that start laying before reaching a good weight will lay smaller eggs.
-
Diet – Nutrition impacts development and egg production. Ensure pullets get enough protein, calcium and nutrients.
-
Day Length – Decreasing daylight can slightly reduce egg size in winter.
-
Stress – Illness, predators, environment changes and stress may cause small eggs.
So breed, weight, diet, seasonality and stress levels can all contribute to egg size, along with the age and maturity of your hens.
Signs of Healthy Development
When you notice the following signs, it indicates your pullets are maturing correctly:
-
Gradual increase in egg size over several weeks and months
-
Consistency in shell thickness and texture
-
Deep orange yolks, indicating good diet and nutrition
-
Typical frequency of laying (for most breeds this is one egg per day)
As long as your flock shows steady progress in these areas, you can be assured their development is on track.
Problems to Watch For
While small eggs are normal at first, there are a few scenarios that could signal an underlying problem:
-
Sudden drop in egg size in mature hens
-
Abnormally thin or soft shells
-
Frequent double yolks
-
Blood or tissue spots in eggs
-
Irregular laying frequency
-
Discoloration of yolks
If you notice any of these issues in your flock unexpectedly, it’s worth investigating further or consulting your veterinarian.
When to Worry About Small Eggs
You only need to be concerned if your pullet eggs do not increase in size with age. Specific signs that indicate an issue include:
-
No growth by 6 months of age
-
Eggs staying below 35 grams in weight
-
Thin or soft shells
-
Abnormal frequency of laying
-
Lack of weight gain in pullets
In these cases, poor diet or health problems could be preventing normal development. It’s best to seek advice from an avian vet or experienced chicken keeper.
Encouraging Development of Pullet Eggs
Here are some tips to help your pullets transition to laying quality eggs:
-
Provide a complete feed with 16-18% protein minimum
-
Offer insoluble grit to aid digestion
-
Supplement feed with oyster shell for calcium
-
Allow 4-6 square feet of coop space per hen
-
Use fake eggs to encourage laying in nest boxes
-
Reduce stress and predators as much as possible
-
Practice good biosecurity to prevent disease
-
Be patient – it takes time for pullets to mature!
In Summary
To recap, small or pullet eggs are perfectly normal when chickens first start laying. The small size is temporary and eggs will gradually get larger as the hen matures over 4-6 months. Focus on proper diet, nutrition and low stress levels to help your pullets develop. With time and good care, they’ll be laying large, quality eggs for you to enjoy!
How Small Is a Tiny Egg? Egg Sizes Explained
A tiny egg, often referred to as a “fart egg,” is an unusually small egg that’s much smaller than the typical size for a hen’s breed and age.
Tiny eggs can be as small as 20-30% of a normal eggs size. For reference, a standard egg weighs between 50-60 grams, while tiny eggs may weigh as little as 10-20 grams—or even less in some cases.
In fact, one of our customers found a tiny egg weighing just 3 grams!
First Eggs from Pullets Are Often Small
It is common for pullets (young birds) that are laying for the first time to produce funny eggs, and especially tiny eggs.
This is perfectly normal, and these are sometimes called “practice eggs” because the reproductive system isn’t fully developed yet. So, if your chickens first eggs are small, it’s nothing to worry about. Over time, as their systems mature, the eggs will become larger and more consistent.
Our Chickens Laid Their FIRST EGG! First One Is Small But It Has A Hard Shell!
FAQ
Is it normal for a chicken’s first egg to be small?
Yes. Completely normal for them to lay smaller eggs at first. It may be inconsistent for a few weeks but after that it should be good!.
Can you eat chickens first small eggs?
Yes, it is generally safe to eat a chicken’s first egg, even if it is small. These small eggs, which are sometimes called “pullet eggs,” are a normal part of a young hen’s laying cycle as they get used to laying eggs.
How big are chicken eggs when they first start laying?
When they first start laying eggs, all hens lay Pee Wee or Small eggs. Over time, they get bigger until they can lay Medium, Large, or even Extra Large eggs. In modern breeds, most hens are laying Large, Extra Large or Jumbo eggs by 40 weeks of age.
Do chickens lay smaller eggs as they get older?
Within their first year of life, most laying hens will be at their peak production at about 30 weeks of age. The first eggs will likely be smaller and increase in size over time. As your birds age, egg size will even out, and egg count will gradually drop.
Do young chickens lay small eggs?
Small eggs, also called “fairy eggs,” are usually laid by younger chickens. But your chickens could be laying small eggs for the following reasons: Read on to learn what makes these cute eggs so small and what you can do to fix it. Age: Do Young Chickens Lay Smaller Eggs?.
What determines the size of a chicken egg?
The chicken’s genetics determines the size of the chicken’s skeletal, which directly impacts the egg size. Layers with a large skeleton will produce large jumbo eggs, while those small chickens will lay small eggs. 3. Nutrition Nutrition is a major determining factor in how large or nutritious the chicken egg will be.
Are all chickens the same size if they lay small eggs?
In other words, if the previous generations laid small eggs then your chicken will likely be the same. Of course, egg size is also determined by the species of chicken. Bantams, for instance, apart from being rather aggressive, are small in size and lay smaller than average eggs.
Do chickens lay bigger eggs?
The skeletal size of your chicken can determine how large its eggs will be and this is determined mostly by genetics. The logic follows that chickens with larger and longer bones will lay larger eggs, whereas smaller bones chickens will lay small or medium-sized eggs.
What size egg does a chicken lay?
However, there is a wide variety of chicken breeds that lay eggs in a range of sizes, from the tiny quail egg to the jumbo-sized ostrich egg. While the average chicken lays an egg that weighs about 2 ounces, some breeds lay eggs that are much smaller.
Why do chickens lay small eggs?
4. Stress When chickens are stressed, they lay small eggs or fail to lay. These factors may be internal, such as diseases or pain, or external, such as extreme weather conditions. Predators also make the hens uncomfortable, affecting egg production and egg size.