Why are our eggs so small??

[Momof2gr8kidz]

We have 4 hens. Americana/buff orpington/bardrock/ rhode island red. Our rhode island laid her first egg last Week and has laid every day since. I get so excited to check the nest, but they are about the size of quail eggs some have gotten a little bigger. Will they always be this small? Are they small because she started to lay early (she is around 5 months). Will her laying get the others to start laying? I didn't know to hold off on the laying pellets and they have been eating them for about 2months...

 

[Kezzie]

Each of your girls will start laying when they're ready. And the eggs will slowly get bigger. Your girls are just learning the ropes and laying little pullet eggs. In about a month's time, they should be up to normal size. Congrats! First eggs are fun!

 

[Metanoia]

Pullet eggs are smaller than full grown hens. They will most likely get bigger with time. Layer pellets won't hurt the pullets... Personally I don't like feeding pellets and feed mine 70% wheat supplimented with a mixed grain as well as letting them free range when I am home to supervise.

I was surprised at how large my first eggs were, and they're getting bigger. No issues at all with any of my eggs yet. I'm interested in how diet effects egg quality in and around this forum.

 

[jennybensmom]

Our first eggs are small too, plus someone is laying soft shelled eggs while roosting. I understand that this is normal when they start to lay as young hens. As they mature, the eggs will become larger.

 

[hungryhensfarm]

My advice would be to "NOT" stop feeding them the layer.

When a hen starts laying their eggs start out small but their size does increase over time. Unfortunately not all hens begin laying at the exact same time. I remember when I found my first egg laid by one of my red stars. The egg was quite small but I was ecstatic.

That was about one year ago. This year my girls are laying beautiful large eggs.

I know it's hard to do but try to wait patiently. It'll pay off.

 

[hungryhensfarm]

Oops! I forgot!

 

[cmom]

The eggs will get bigger. After she has layed for a couple weeks check the size they may not be a lot bigger but they will continually get larger as she continues to lay. In a month you should really notice them getting bigger.

 

[RendonRoo]

Pullet eggs are great for making deviled eggs. Totally bite sized.

 

[gardenak]

First off-

from AK.

My 3 eggs have been very small, and they were 3 different colors. I only have 1 pullet that is mature enough to lay, so I know they came from the same bird. Even though they were small, they were delicious! Now I just need more of them . . .