Egg sizes over time

[drinkoj]

Yesterday I was in a discussion on a thread about eggs sizes and how long it takes them to get bigger. @Ridgerunner suggested that I might want to create a thread about how the eggs grew in size over time. So, pictures on a little measuring board with dates it is.

Backstory on the pullets laying the eggs. Have 6 pullets at 20.5 weeks of age, on Oct 12 the first egg was laid/found, it was small, and eaten by me, so no pictures of it.
Oct 13 we got 3 eggs (assuming we went to 3 pullets laying) and then on Oct 14 we got 4 eggs (assuming 4 hens laying). By looking at the eggs and writing in pencil the dates, you can see the progression of the egg sizes. Picture forthcoming.

 

[drinkoj]

In this first picture I have laid them out in order of size and with the assumption that since there is a change in size each day that we can assume the largest egg each day will be that of the first pullet to lay on 10/13, the two eggs that are of similar size would be that of the 2 pullets that began laying on 10/13, and the pullet that first laid on 10/14 is the smallest.

These three eggs were laid on 10/13. Notice the bottom egg is almost a full bar bigger (it is not the camera angle btw)

This is the largest egg believed to be the first of our pullets to lay and was laid on 10/14. Compare the above largest egg to this egg, it has increased in size by almost 3 bars. It is the size of a store bought medium egg.

These two eggs are from the two pullets that began laying on 10/13 and these are their eggs from 10/14

This egg is the smallest and is believed to be from the fourth pullet that began laying on 10/14.

 

[drinkoj]

Wish I had a micrometer but don't, so this paper cutting board will have to do for this educational thread.

 

[KarynVA]

This is great! Mine started laying October 2 and, so far, I haven't seen any noticeable increase in size. The breed I have, Golden Comets, is supposedly known for having rather large eggs. I expect they will get larger, just maybe not quite as quickly as yours.

I love the scientific approach of tracking the egg sizes. I've been tracking laying times and which hens use which nest boxes.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Such pretty eggs! What breed are your pullets?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Good for you. I like that approach to show size. It will be interesting to follow.

 

[drinkoj]

Such pretty eggs! What breed are your pullets?

White Leghorns from TSC and we also have ISA Browns that aren't laying yet.

 

[drinkoj]

I've been tracking laying times and which hens use which nest boxes.

Interestingly enough, my wife was informing me of what time she believes they are laying and that three of the pullets are laying the egg within a millimeter of the other eggs and not covering them (both yesterday and today) and that one pullet is laying sometime in the late afternoon or early evening, as I find that one when I come home.

 

[aart]

Weights in grams can be interesting to watch too.

 

[drinkoj]

So today, someone took a day off. I suspect it was pullet A (first to lay) as the size of the eggs are not close to the biggest and are very similar to the others I got.
I am going to have to figure out a better way to take pictures as the camera angle is causing me to show poor egg sizes. Guess I'm going to plunk down down a few $$ on a micrometer at Harbor Freight.