DO FRESHLY LAID EGGS SHRINK AFTER THEY COOL OFF?

[Stepnout]

Hello, I noticed a week or 2 ago my first egg of the day was as laid just seconds before I checked the nest box. The egg as always was large but nothing out of the ordinary. I set the egg on the step while I continued a few garden chores. After the egg cooled down I couldn’t help but notice the egg was noticeably smaller.
Can this or does this really happen? Do eggs shrink a bit after cooling off? I guess this makes sense to me but never paid attention to or noticed it before.
Thanks

 

[3KillerBs]

No, the shell doesn't change size.

 

[neo71665]

If they do it would be such a small amount you would need special equipment to measure it.

 

[aart]

After the egg cooled down I couldn’t help but notice the egg was noticeably smaller.

Guessing someone was pranking you.

 

[Lumley Farm]

Speaking of cooling down, how long can an egg stay with the hen with her body heat? is it ok for the egg to stay so warm for a couple of hours? I think I may have a semi broody hen....Hehe!

 

[aart]

is it ok for the egg to stay so warm for a couple of hours?

Yes.
Gather all eggs by the end of the day.

I think I may have a semi broody hen....Hehe!

She may just be a 'lounger'.
Do you want her to be broody?

 

[neo71665]

I gather all my eggs by 5pm but I got a handful that like to lay later in the day. No point in running back and forth all day.

 

[Lumley Farm]

Yes.
Gather all eggs by the end of the day.


She may just be a 'lounger'.
Do you want her to be broody?

no I do not want her broody. I have gone under her to remove the egg and no problem. but boy is it hot!!! so I bring it in the house. I have no rooster. Just hens for eggs!

 

[aart]

no I do not want her broody. I have gone under her to remove the egg and no problem. but boy is it hot!!! so I bring it in the house. I have no rooster. Just hens for eggs!

Might need to break her more proactively, just taking the eggs won't do it.

If you don't want her to hatch out chicks, IMO it's best to break her broodiness promptly.
My experience goes about like this: After her setting for 3 days and nights in the nest (or as soon as I know they are broody), I put her in a wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller wire(1x2) on the bottom but no bedding, set up on a couple of 4x4's right in the coop or run with feed and water.

After 48 hours I let her out of crate very near roosting time(30-60 mins) if she goes to roost great, if she goes to nest put her back in crate for another 48 hours.

Tho not necessary a chunk of 2x4 for a 'roost' gives the feet a break from the wire floor and encourages roosting.

 

[3KillerBs]

I just set up my broody breaker again, in a shadier spot this time since it is late June even though it's unseasonably cool this week.