If you’re new to the chicken keeping game or just curious about the different egg sizes, this article is for you! The size of your flock’s eggs depends on a number of factors, like their age, weight, size, breed, diet, and living conditions. The USDA recognizes 6 different classes for eggs, and they measure them in weight by the dozen, not visual size. If you’re wondering which class your chickens’ eggs fall into, we’re here to break it down for you! Here are the different egg classes and their requirements.
Peewee
These eggs are the rarest size due to their origin. Peewee eggs (also known as pullet eggs) are laid infrequently by very young hens who are just starting their laying cycle. You can’t find these eggs in stores due to their unpopularity. These eggs tend to weigh at least around 15 ounces per dozen, or 1.25 ounces per egg.
Small
The next class of eggs can also be seen when hens first begin their laying cycle. Small eggs typically resemble quail eggs in size, and weigh a minimum of 18 ounces or 1.5 ounces per egg. All hens start egg production by laying peewee or small sized eggs! As they grow, their egg size does too.
Medium
If you shop around at a grocery store, you’ll probably notice medium is the smallest size egg sold. They’re the most common size to find in grocery stores and the ideal size for hard-boiled eggs due to their thicker shell than large eggs! A dozen medium eggs should weigh at least 21 ounces, or 1.75 ounces per egg. Though any breed can lay medium eggs, especially those who are just growing out of the peewee and small classes, some common breeds known for their medium eggs are Welsummer and Buff Orpingtons.
Large
Here’s the most common eggs for hens to lay in their prime, and the one most recipes call for! Weighing 24 ounces per dozen, or 2 ounces per egg. Although the size of their eggs depends on their lifestyle, there are a few breeds popular for laying large eggs. Those breeds are: Leghorn, Australorp, Rhode Island Red, Plymouth Rock, Dominique, Orpington, Sussex, and Wyandotte.
Extra-Large
A little larger than large eggs, this size makes an excellent boost for your scrambled eggs! Extra-large eggs weigh a minimum of 27 ounces per dozen, or 2.25 ounces per egg. Adding protein to your flock’s diet based on their production cycle may help to increase their egg size. Some common breeds who lay XL eggs are Minorca, Orpington, Leghorn, Welsummer, Sussex, Delaware, and Barnevelder.
Jumbo
This is the largest class in the USDA’s chart, and for good reason! Jumbo eggs weigh in at a minimum of a whopping 30 ounces per dozen, or 2.5 ounces per egg. They usually come from larger bodied breeds, or from hens who are still getting the hang of their laying cycle. They’re rare to find, but not nearly as rare as peewee eggs. Jumbo eggs can be more than 20% larger than typical large eggs! Delaware, Barnevelder, Leghorn, and Red Star Sexlink Hybrid are a few breeds known for laying jumbo eggs.
So, which class do your chickens fall under? Whether you’re looking to sell your flock’s eggs or just give them to friends and family, it’s always nice to have an idea of their size!