Mini egg? question with picture

[Side40barn]

Hi all I have 6 red sex link hens and 1 red sex link rooster. 2 of my hens are about 3yrs old, the other 4 hens are approx. 17 weeks old. (Pics attached) The adult hens stopped laying for molting period, and then all of a sudden I got a beautiful egg. Day after that, came a mini egg (see picture). The next day the egg on the left, and another normal egg today. (All found in nesting boxes.) I accidentally cracked the mini egg and this is what I found inside. What do you think happened?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I think one of your 17 week pullets started laying. Whenever I have young pullet start laying I get little eggs at first.

 

[aart]

Agrees with new layer scenario.

Might want to do some butt checks:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

The small one is likely a fairy egg...
Fairy, fart, wind, rooster eggs are usually from a tiny piece of tissue breaking loose from the reproductive tract, or an immature ova(yolk) and the body forms an egg around it. Color can be darker than 'normal' as the pigment coating released has to cover a much smaller area so is thicker. Can happen with any age layer, but more common with older layers.

 

[Side40barn]

I think one of your 17 week pullets started laying. Whenever I have young pullet start laying I get little eggs at first.

Thanks for the input. I remember the first egg from one of my adult hens was a mini, but didn’t think one would come so early from one of the littles.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Thanks for the input. I remember the first egg from one of my adult hens was a mini, but didn’t think one would come so early from one of the littles.

It's not uncommon for red sex links to start laying around 17 weeks.

 

[crazychickenman007]

Welcome to BYC! We’re glad to have you! I agree with the others about it being a new layer.

 

[Side40barn]

Agrees with new layer scenario.

Might want to do some butt checks:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

The small one is likely a fairy egg...
Fairy, fart, wind, rooster eggs are usually from a tiny piece of tissue breaking loose from the reproductive tract, or an immature ova(yolk) and the body forms an egg around it. Color can be darker than 'normal' as the pigment coating released has to cover a much smaller area so is thicker. Can happen with any age layer, but more common with older layers.

Interesting, this could be possible because I haven’t seen my roo trying to mate with littles yet. I will try the butt check! Very helpful article, thank you!

 

[aart]

Interesting, this could be possible because I haven’t seen my roo trying to mate with littles yet.

Fairy eggs have nothing to do with fertility.

 

[Side40barn]

It's not uncommon for red sex links to start laying around 17 weeks.

Right I keep forgetting the hens don’t need a rooster to lay eggs. I’ve had hens for 3 years but I’ve only had a rooster for 4 months

 

[Side40barn]

Fairy eggs have nothing to do with fertility.

I keep forgetting having a rooster is new to me! But I’ve loved the changes I’ve seen in my flock since getting one. So much order and stability, sounds crazy but true!