Why are my eggs so small?

[Ridgerunner]

I don't think I've ever had a chicken do this?

You've obviously had some previous experience. I'll offer some thoughts.

1. You have seen this before but you did not have the larger eggs to compare them to so it wasn't so obvious. They get larger so gradually you don't necessarily notice. It's like the egg shell color often gradually gets lighter the longer they lay but it's so gradual you don't notice. You can try Aart's idea of weighing them to see if they are getting bigger. I like keeping a small one in the fridge for a month and then compare the size.

2. The younger the pullet starts to lay the smaller the egg will be. Did these four start laying younger than your previous pullets?

3. What breeds were your other pullets? Some breeds or hybrids like ISA Browns start out laying larger eggs.

4. Are you feeding these differently that the previous pullets? The higher the protein content of the feed the larger the eggs should be.

5. Do you still have some older ones laying larger eggs. Anything changed with those eggs? If not, probably not a disease.

It is possible for one pullet to have an individual issue that could affect egg size but it would be a really strange coincidence if it affected all four. Not going to happen. I suspect there is a very logical and non-threatening explanation.

 

[TooManyEggs]

They have been laying for about a month and all four (3 Barred Rocks, 1 Australorp) are laying tiny eggs. I don't think I've ever had a chicken do this? They get Purina Layena, free choice oyster and grit and free range 2-3 hours a day.

Have you owned the other two breeds? They have an insanely better temperament than then the barred rocks I have owned. I don't think I will ever own anything but hybrid breeds having seen how other trad breeds are - way too aggressive and not enough production to justify feeding.

 

[Finally chickens!]

You've obviously had some previous experience. I'll offer some thoughts.

1. You have seen this before but you did not have the larger eggs to compare them to so it wasn't so obvious. They get larger so gradually you don't necessarily notice. It's like the egg shell color often gradually gets lighter the longer they lay but it's so gradual you don't notice. You can try Aart's idea of weighing them to see if they are getting bigger. I like keeping a small one in the fridge for a month and then compare the size.

2. The younger the pullet starts to lay the smaller the egg will be. Did these four start laying younger than your previous pullets?

3. What breeds were your other pullets? Some breeds or hybrids like ISA Browns start out laying larger eggs.

4. Are you feeding these differently that the previous pullets? The higher the protein content of the feed the larger the eggs should be.

5. Do you still have some older ones laying larger eggs. Anything changed with those eggs? If not, probably not a disease.

It is possible for one pullet to have an individual issue that could affect egg size but it would be a really strange coincidence if it affected all four. Not going to happen. I suspect there is a very logical and non-threatening explanation.

I don't think it's a comparison issue. The eggs rattle around in an egg carton.

No, I think they all started around 4-5 months.

My other hens are four Leghorns and one Marans. They, of course, lay the occasional fairy egg but they never laid consistently small eggs.

Same feed always .... Purina Layena after the starter was gone.

They might be getting better. The other day all four layed and two were normal sized. The next day .... three small ones. I started out with 10 chicks and my friend took five when they were off heat. Turns out his five .... two Rocks, three Australorps ..... are also laying small eggs. It's such a mystery. Thanks for all your ideas!

 

[Unswydd]

My Rocks are also laying small "Pullet" eggs. They're especially yummy in my opinion. I did get a teeny tiny one yesterday tho. Never seen one like this! Is this what is called a "Fairy" egg!

 

[Finally chickens!]

Yes, it is .... probably no yolk. I'm still getting very small eggs. I've about given up. I just don't get it. :-(

 

[Happy hen lover]

Yes, it is .... probably no yolk. I'm still getting v toery small eggs. I've about given up. I just don't get it. :-(

My pullets all laid these teeny little eggs starting out. I teased about selling them as "Lite" eggs. My other girls are USA which lay Jumbo eggs so it's VERY obvious . I've gotten so large eggs from pullets but average ones would be considered medium in store. I sell my big eggs so I keep back small ones for us. My pullets have at least gone from tiny to medium ones. If they are going pullets I'd keep as they should get larger over time but that's up to you.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yes, it is .... probably no yolk. I'm still getting very small eggs. I've about given up. I just don't get it. :-(

It's been about 2 months since they started laying? It could take as long as next year to hit full egg size. Varies by individual bird of course.

But yes it is possible to get birds that never increase the size of their eggs by much. I have a 2 yr old hen that still lays pullet sized eggs, but at least she lays fairly consistently.

 

[Finally chickens!]

Oh, I'm keeping them I like them a lot. They've been laying these small eggs for about three months now ... with an occasional regular one. It's just new to me.

 

[Liz-6]

I have 4 pullets, 29 weeks- and only one, columbian Wyandotte is laying. Her eggs are very small, been about two months and all very small. The others, none. I feed them purina organic layer, protein snacks.

 

[Mr Spot]

Why are my five month old Barred Rocks continually laying small ... 2 inch .... eggs? They are good eggs, yolk and all, but they have been laying them for almost a month now. All three of them lay tiny eggs almost every day.

Give them time, they will get bigger.