Can dietary fluctuations create monster eggs?

[Schrebergaertner]

This morning we got the huge one in the photo below (the white one is a store-bought Large). Our pullets have only been laying for a month or two. Day before yesterday I had the girls help me turn the compost piles and they all ate dozens of earthworms, grubs, and other goodies each. Could that burst of protein have pumped up the egg size two days later? Sorry if this is a silly question, but we're still pretty new at this and learning tons. Thanks!

 

[zippitydooda]

I'm kind of new at this too. To be honest, I don't know why they lay these big eggs, but I do know that the two times we got these from our new layers they were double yolks! An omelette in a shell, yay!

I've been playing around with the feed and have noticed that egg production goes up with less treats. Seems like they eat more layer crumbles; higher protein maybe? I give them goodies, but I treat it like I'm giving the kids candy. I let them have it, but don't let them fill up on it. Most treats consist of fresh veggies or fruit, or scraps from dinner (minus anything with strong seasonings).

Have you figured out which hen laid the jumbo egg? I was looking for an ostrich when I saw the first one we got!