Is Your Chicken Laying Tiny Eggs?
Tiny Eggs: The Beginning or the End?
If you’ve had chickens for a while, you will have gone out to collect the eggs only to find a tiny egg. Not just a small egg, but a tiny egg that makes all of the normal-sized eggs look giant.
There are a lot of myths surrounding tiny eggs. You can tell by the weird and wonderful names such as fairy egg, witch egg, cock egg (as in laid by a rooster) and fart egg (what would happen if a hen farted).
Some old-time chicken keepers swear that tiny eggs indicate the beginning of the end – that a laying hen is reaching the end of its laying life. While other people say tiny, fairy eggs are most common when hens are just beginning to lay and even call them “practice eggs”.
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How Small Is a Tiny Egg? Egg Sizes Explained
A tiny egg, often referred to as a "fart egg," is an unusually small egg that’s much smaller than the typical size for a hen’s breed and age.
Tiny eggs can be as small as 20-30% of a normal egg's size. For reference, a standard egg weighs between 50-60 grams, while tiny eggs may weigh as little as 10-20 grams—or even less in some cases.
In fact, one of our customers found a tiny egg weighing just 3 grams!
Typical Egg Size Names and Weights
Here are the standardised Australian egg sizes according to the Australian Egg Corporation.
Why Egg Sizes Vary
Different chicken breeds naturally lay different-sized eggs. For instance, a bantam lays much smaller eggs compared to an ISA Brown or Rhode Island Red. Additionally, egg size increases as hens age, with younger hens laying eggs that are usually 10-20 grams lighter than those from hens aged 1-2 years.
Why Are My Chickens Laying Small Eggs? Causes Explained
Have you ever gone out to your chicken coop, only to find an unusually small egg? It can be confusing, especially if your hens have been laying regular-sized eggs up until now. So, why are my chickens laying small eggs? There are several common reasons for this, and understanding them can help put your mind at ease.
First Eggs from Pullets Are Often Small
It is common for pullets (young birds) that are laying for the first time to produce funny eggs, and especially tiny eggs.
This is perfectly normal, and these are sometimes called "practice eggs" because the reproductive system isn’t fully developed yet. So, if your chickens first eggs are small, it’s nothing to worry about. Over time, as their systems mature, the eggs will become larger and more consistent.
Stress and Environmental Changes
Even if your chickens have been laying regular-sized eggs, stress can sometimes cause them to lay tiny eggs. Changes in their environment, extreme weather, or a predator scare can upset their normal routine. These factors can result in your chickens producing small eggs for a short period. Once things settle down, the egg size should return to normal.
Moulting and Broodiness
Another common reason your chickens are laying small eggs could be moulting or broodiness. When hens go through these natural cycles, their reproductive systems slow down. This is often temporary, and once they are back to normal, you’ll see regular-sized eggs again.
Tiny Eggs in Older Hens
Sometimes, older hens may start laying small eggs as they near the end of their egg-laying period. While it’s true that hens can lay well into old age, some may start producing tiny eggs in the last stages of their egg-laying life.
But then, chickens can continue laying well into old age so a tiny egg isn’t necessarily a sign of decline.
What Causes Chickens to Lay Tiny Eggs?
Chickens can lay tiny eggs for a number of reasons.
Reproductive Misfire
In most cases, tiny eggs (sometimes called "fairy eggs" or "fart eggs") are a reproductive misfire. These eggs are usually formed without a yolk, or with a very small one. What causes chickens to lay tiny eggs like these? It often happens when a piece of tissue or blood in the hen’s oviduct triggers egg formation by mistake. These eggs are much smaller than regular eggs, often 20-30% of the normal size. Some hens may even lay an egg as tiny as 3 grams!
Temporary Irregularity
It’s important to note that small chicken eggs are not typically a problem unless they occur regularly. In most cases, if you find a tiny egg, it’s just a temporary irregularity. Young hens or pullets often lay these as they begin producing eggs, and it’s nothing to be concerned about. If your hen continues to lay tiny eggs frequently, it may be worth consulting a vet.
Coming Back After a Break
When hens come back into lay after a break, such as moulting or being broody, they might lay small eggs for a little while. Their systems take some time to get back to normal, but as long as their diet and environment are stable, their eggs should return to normal size.
What to Do If Your Chicken Keeps Laying Small Eggs
When they occur occasionally, tiny eggs are not indicative of a problem.
In pullets, a few tiny eggs in a row is not a concern as long as the hen in question eventually begins producing more normal-sized eggs.
In any other hen, however, regular or consistent tiny eggs definitely indicate a problem. It is most likely a reproductive problem but tiny eggs can also be linked to diet and disease. If your chicken is laying tiny eggs on the regular, it is best to consult a poultry veterinarian.
Check for Stress or Diet Issues
Regularly laying tiny eggs can sometimes signal stress or dietary imbalances. Factors such as a poor-quality feed or sudden changes in the environment could be to blame. It’s always a good idea to review your chicken's diet to ensure they're getting the right balance of protein, calcium, and other nutrients that support healthy egg production. Dine-A-Chook offers high-quality feed supplements that can help maintain your chickens' health and egg-laying abilities.
Reproductive Health Concerns
If your hen continues to lay small eggs regularly, it could also be a sign of a reproductive issue. In these cases, it’s best to consult a poultry veterinarian. Problems such as internal laying or infection could be at play, and getting professional advice early on can help you manage the health of your flock.
Egg Size Increases Over Time
Keep in mind that for young hens, or pullets, small eggs are normal when they first begin laying. Egg size typically increases as the chicken matures. So, if you have young birds, give them time. Their eggs will likely get bigger as they grow older and settle into regular laying patterns.
Can You Eat Tiny Eggs?
Tiny eggs are perfectly safe to eat. They are just smaller than normal eggs.
Because they don’t have any yolk and are so small, tiny eggs can also be dried out easily. Simply wash the egg and leave it to air dry. As long as there isn’t a yolk, the egg will eventually dry out completely and you can use it as proof of the weird wonders you can’t get in a supermarket egg carton!
Would You Like to Learn More about Egg Laying?
- When do chickens start to lay?
- 7 ways to improve egg production in older hens
- Why aren't my chickens laying? The top 6 causes of poor egg production
- Average egg weight and how to get bigger eggs
Happy chicken keeping!
Rachael at Dine-A-Chook Australia
