Incubation Egg Size: How small is too small?

[Mychickenseatmoney]

Good afternoon all,

First time hatching eggs so please take it easy on me.

I bought some Copper Maran eggs online for incubation.

I read somewhere (don't remember :/) that generally speaking for large egg layers optimum egg size for incubation should be above 50 grams.

I've placed them all in the incubator, but figured I'd ask more experience people, as I'm now second guessing my decision.

1. Is the 50 gram minimum size a good rule to go by?

2. Any foreseeable complications with the smaller eggs?

Thank you in advance.

Note: I haven't re-candled eggs yet as they are only on day two. I couldn't see anything of note the first time.

 

[redinator]

I've hatched standards and bantams in the same incubator. The bantams piped and hatched earlier than the standards, but otherwise everything went well. I can't speak to small eggs from a standard sized breed though.

If you'd like you can join the current hatch along and get advice along the way. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/bycs-2026-valentines-day-hatch-along.1682522/ Good luck

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hi, welcome to the forum! Glad you joined!

I haven't heard that 50 gram rule before. Do you know what they considered "large eggs" from a large egg layer?

What you generally want are eggs "normal" for the size of egg that hen normally lays. You are more likely to have issues with eggs abnormally small or abnormally large. If you get a pullet from that egg that pullet is more likely to lay a "normal sized" egg when she lays due to genetics.

The weights are light for Marans eggs. It sounds like you got them from an online source. My guess is that those are mostly eggs from pullets that haven't been laying very long. They start out small and get larger the longer the pullet lays. I've hatched pullet eggs. Sometimes I get really good hatch rates, sometimes not so good. Overall, your hatch rate for pullet eggs is probably going to be less than for full sized eggs but that does not mean they will not hatch. As I said, I hatch them.

Another possibility is that those are Bantam Marans eggs. Bantams lay smaller eggs than full sized hens. Those eggs would be normal for a bantam so should hatch well.

I'd try to hatch them and see what happens. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[Mychickenseatmoney]

I've hatched standards and bantams in the same incubator. The bantams piped and hatched earlier than the standards, but otherwise everything went well. I can't speak to small eggs from a standard sized breed though.

If you'd like you can join the current hatch along and get advice along the way. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/bycs-2026-valentines-day-hatch-along.1682522/ Good luck

Thank you for the reply and invite.
What a lucky surprise, as i hadn't noticed these would potentially hatch around Valentine's day.

 

[Susan Skylark]

Definitely go by ‘normal’ for the bird (impossible on shipped eggs) rather than normal for the breed, I’ve got quail, so the eggs are ridiculous to begin with, then I’ve got big girls and smaller hens, those smaller hens lay smaller eggs, too small for a normal egg from the bigger hens but fine for the smaller bird/eventual chick. Hopefully your egg seller is aware of this and sent you normal (for her birds) eggs, which would be basic sense.

 

[Mychickenseatmoney]

Hi, welcome to the forum! Glad you joined!

I haven't heard that 50 gram rule before. Do you know what they considered "large eggs" from a large egg layer?

What you generally want are eggs "normal" for the size of egg that hen normally lays. You are more likely to have issues with eggs abnormally small or abnormally large. If you get a pullet from that egg that pullet is more likely to lay a "normal sized" egg when she lays due to genetics.

The weights are light for Marans eggs. It sounds like you got them from an online source. My guess is that those are mostly eggs from pullets that haven't been laying very long. They start out small and get larger the longer the pullet lays. I've hatched pullet eggs. Sometimes I get really good hatch rates, sometimes not so good. Overall, your hatch rate for pullet eggs is probably going to be less than for full sized eggs but that does not mean they will not hatch. As I said, I hatch them.

Another possibility is that those are Bantam Marans eggs. Bantams lay smaller eggs than full sized hens. Those eggs would be normal for a bantam so should hatch well.

I'd try to hatch them and see what happens. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Hey!

From what I read Marans on average lay large to extra large eggs. Unfortunately, there isn't a concrete consensus on what that entails quantitatively, but I've seen the following ranges provided (give or take some).

Jumbo > 68g
Extra Large ~ 61g - 68g
Large ~ 54g - 61g
Medium ~ 47g - 54g
Small ~ 40g - 47g

I did order them online. Considering the breeder uses pullets (1y. 3mo.) and it's winter, I was expecting to see a size range of medium to large.

I should also note these eggs are not bantam eggs.

At the moment I'm abit at a loss.

I've contacted the seller, and they assured me it's normal, and they have hatch chicks from small eggs.

I guess I'm just having a hard time believing it will work out.

The smallest maran egg is approximately 1 3/4 inches tall.

Considering you've hatch eggs from a pullet before do you think these eggs are non starters or is there a chance.

Here's a picture for reference. The other eggs are light sussex large eggs.

Thank you for replying.

 

[Mychickenseatmoney]

Definitely go by ‘normal’ for the bird (impossible on shipped eggs) rather than normal for the breed, I’ve got quail, so the eggs are ridiculous to begin with, then I’ve got big girls and smaller hens, those smaller hens lay smaller eggs, too small for a normal egg from the bigger hens but fine for the smaller bird/eventual chick. Hopefully your egg seller is aware of this and sent you normal (for her birds) eggs, which would be basic sense.

Hello,

The seller didn't mention if the egg size was normal for her hens, but I'll go ahead and ask.

Overall I think everyone here is making me feel more at ease.

It's my first time hatching, so I might have consume more information than needed for my own good, and as result started to catastrophize.

Still, it's hard to believe an egg so small could hatch a standard size chick.

I guess this is what they mean by having faith.

I'll report back as the incubating progress.

Thank you as well for taking the time to reply.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I think there is a good chance you will get chicks. There are other things that could go wrong having nothing to do with the eggs being small. Consider your first hatch an opportunity to learn.

Looking forward to your results.