The Wikipedia article “Chicken egg sizes” provides detailed information about egg size classifications in various countries including the US, Canada, Europe, Post-Soviet countries, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Thailand, Japan, and South Africa Each country has its own weight classification system
The Weight of Stuff article indicates that an average medium chicken egg weighs 49.6 grams (1.75 ounces), with the shell accounting for 8-9% of the total weight. It also provides weight information for different types of eggs: chicken (50g), quail (9g), duck (70g), turkey (79g), and goose (144g).
The Bradley’s Fine Diner article notes that the most common size sold in grocery stores is large with an average weight of around 50 grams. It breaks down a large egg’s components as approximately 30 grams of egg white and 18 grams of yolk.
Ever grabbed an egg from your fridge and wondered just how heavy that little oval package really is? I’ve been there too! Whether you’re baking a cake that needs precise measurements or just curious about your breakfast, understanding egg weights can be surprisingly helpful.
In this article, I’ll crack open everything you need to know about chicken egg weights – from the tiny peewees to the jumbo giants!
The Average Chicken Egg Weight
If you pick up a random chicken egg, it’ll likely weigh around 50 grams (1.77 ounces). This is generally considered a “medium” egg in most classification systems. However, egg sizes can vary quite a bit depending on several factors:
- The chicken breed
- The hen’s age
- Diet quality
- Season
- Overall health of the chicken
Fun fact: Did you know the egg shell makes up about 8-9% of the total egg weight? So for a 50-gram egg, about 4-4.5 grams is just the shell!
USDA Egg Weight Classifications
In the United States, the USDA has created standard weight classes for eggs. These weights are measured per dozen, but I’ve calculated the individual egg weights for you:
| Size | Weight per Egg | Weight per Dozen |
|---|---|---|
| Jumbo | 70.9g (2.5oz) | 30oz |
| Extra Large | 63.8g (2.25oz) | 27oz |
| Large | 56.7g (2oz) | 24oz |
| Medium | 49.6g (1.75oz) | 21oz |
| Small | 42.5g (1.5oz) | 18oz |
| Peewee | 35.4g (1.25oz) | 15oz |
Most recipes that call for eggs typically assume you’re using Large eggs (about 56.7g). This is important to remember when you’re cooking, especially for sensitive recipes like baked goods!
Inside the Egg: Weight Breakdown
When we break down a large chicken egg weighing about 50 grams, here’s roughly what we get:
- Egg white: 30 grams (1 ounce)
- Egg yolk: 18 grams (0.6 ounces)
- Shell: About 4-4.5 grams (0.15 ounces)
The proportions stay roughly the same as eggs get larger or smaller, though there can be slight variations.
How Different Countries Classify Egg Weights
It’s kinda fascinating how egg classification varies around the world! Let me share some examples:
Europe
European classifications are a bit different:
- Extra Large (XL): ≥ 73g
- Large (L): ≥ 63g and < 73g
- Medium (M): ≥ 53g and < 63g
- Small (S): < 53g
Australia
Australia has some unique size categories:
- King-size: 71.7g – 78.5g
- Jumbo: 66.7g – 71.6g
- Extra-Large: 58.3g – 66.6g
- Large: 50.0g – 58.2g
- Medium: 41.7g – 49.9g
Japan
Japan’s classification system:
- LL: 70g – 76g
- L: 64g – 70g
- M: 58g – 64g
- MS: 52g – 58g
- S: 46g – 52g
- SS: 40g – 46g
Other Types of Eggs and Their Weights
Chicken eggs aren’t the only ones on the market! Here’s how other common egg types weigh up:
- Quail egg: 9 grams (0.32oz) – tiny but mighty!
- Chicken egg: 50 grams (1.77oz) – the standard
- Duck egg: 70 grams (2.47oz) – bigger and richer
- Turkey egg: 79 grams (2.79oz) – less common but tasty
- Goose egg: 144 grams (5.08oz) – the giant of common eggs!
Factors That Affect Egg Size and Weight
Several things can influence how big or small an egg might be:
Chicken Breed
Some breeds naturally lay bigger eggs. For example, Plymouth Rocks and Orpingtons tend to lay eggs around 60 grams each.
Age of the Chicken
- Young hens (under 1 year): Smaller eggs
- Mature hens (1-2 years): Medium to large eggs
- Older hens (over 2 years): Largest eggs
Seasonal Changes
Egg size often fluctuates with the seasons, with the largest eggs typically laid during spring and summer.
Diet Quality
Chickens fed high-quality, protein-rich diets generally produce larger, heavier eggs. The presence of certain nutrients like methionine and linoleic acid can increase egg weight.
Does Egg Size Matter for Cooking?
YES! Especially for baking. Here’s why:
- Baking: Using the wrong size egg can mess up your cake or bread recipe. Too much egg and your cake might be too moist; too little and it could be dry.
- Frying: Larger eggs hold their shape better in the pan.
- Poaching: Medium or large eggs work best – small eggs overcook quickly, while jumbo eggs might not hold their shape well.
For things like scrambles and omelets, the exact size doesn’t matter as much.
Are Bigger Eggs Always Better?
Not necessarily! While bigger eggs might seem like a better value, they often have weaker shells and can break more easily. For chicken keepers, consistent egg production is usually more important than size.
Larger eggs can also put more strain on the hens. Older hens naturally lay larger eggs, which can sometimes lead to health issues if the eggs are too large for comfortable laying.
How to Estimate Egg Size Without a Scale
No scale? No problem! Here are some quick ways to gauge egg size:
- A large egg fits comfortably in an average adult palm
- A jumbo egg feels noticeably bigger than a large egg
- A medium egg is about 2 inches long by 1.5 inches wide
- Compare to common objects: golf balls (small), tennis balls (jumbo), etc.
Practical Tips for Egg Weights in Cooking
When a recipe calls for eggs but you have a different size than specified, here’s what to do:
- For baking: Weigh your eggs without shells and adjust accordingly
- Egg substitution guide:
- 1 jumbo egg = 1 extra large egg + 1 tablespoon white
- 1 extra large egg = 1 large egg + 1 teaspoon white
- 1 large egg = 1 medium egg + 1 teaspoon white
- 1 medium egg = 1 small egg + 1 teaspoon white
Final Thoughts on Egg Weights
We’ve cracked the mystery of egg weights! From the tiny 35-gram peewee to the massive 71-gram jumbo, chicken eggs come in a wide range of sizes to suit different needs.
For most home cooking, large eggs (around 56-57 grams) are the standard. But if your recipe is specific about measurements, it’s worth paying attention to the size.
Next time you’re holding an egg, you’ll have a better idea of just how much that little package of protein weighs!
Do you have any egg-related questions I didn’t cover? I’d love to hear about your eggsperiences in the comments below! (Sorry, couldn’t resist the pun!)
Are bigger eggs better?
Bigger eggs aren’t necessarily better. For many chicken keepers, consistent egg production is more important than the size of the eggs. Larger eggs also have weaker shells, which can lead to more lost eggs due to cracking and breakage.
Large eggs naturally have weaker shells. If you have hens that lay large eggs, either because of age or breed, supplementing with calcium can improve egg shell integrity.
Weak egg shells can be improved with a Calcium supplement.
Free-choice minerals for calcium include:
- Nutri-grit
- Oyster shell
- Limestone
- Ground-up egg shells
At a minimum, shell-grit should be available at all times. Other mineral options are recommended where chickens are producing weak egg shells, for example large eggs, but are not a replacement for a supplement. These minerals should always be provided separately from feed and never force-fed.
What influences chicken egg weight?
Chicken egg weight is influenced by a range of factors.
Different chicken breeds lay different-sized eggs. Obviously, the egg of a bantam is much smaller than that of a Rhode Island Red.
But the size of a chicken breed doesn’t necessarily mean it will lay small eggs. Even similar sized breeds can lay different sized eggs and vice versa. For example, our leghorns are much smaller than our ISA Browns but on average they lay a similar size egg.
Also, different genetic lines of a breed can produce different sized eggs. For example, leghorns from a commercial hatchery lay large eggs for their size (but still smaller than most large breeds) whereas heritage breeder lines may lay smaller eggs.
For bigger eggs:
- Choose larger breeds known for producing larger eggs. Large-bodied heritage breeds are known for laying large eggs. Choose Welsummers, Rhode Island Reds, Plymouth Rocks, Sussex, Orpingtons, Barnvelders, Marans and Wyandotes.
- Research the egg characteristics of different genetic lines of the chicken breeds you plan to buy
- Ask breeders about egg size
The characteristics of a chicken breed are the result of the choices breeders make over time. If a breeder is not selecting for large eggs, then their flock will not produce particularly large eggs.
Today, few breeders select for egg size. Commercial breeds usually preference uniform egg quality and the ability to endure commercial conditions. Heritage breeders are often looking for breed characteristics related to appearance. Backyard breeders may select for mothering ability or egg production.
In addition to genetic traits, some chickens just naturally lay smaller eggs even when they come from large-egg breeds. That’s genetics and, except avoiding breeding from them, there is nothing you can do.
For bigger eggs:
- Breed from birds that naturally lay larger eggs than others of their breed and age
- Ask breeders about egg size and whether they are selecting for it
Eggs become progressively bigger and heavier as chickens age.
Chickens begin laying around 20 weeks of age and produce smaller eggs, usually weighing less than 53 g, for the first 5-10 weeks of laying.
After 30 weeks, most hens produce eggs in the range of 53-73 g. For average laying hens, a 60 g egg is produced by around 26 weeks and egg size will continue to increase at a rate of 0.1 g per week thereafter.
For modern hybrid layers such as ISA Browns, a 65 g egg is average after 50 weeks of age.
Of course, egg size doesn’t increase indefinitely. After 2-3 years of laying, or perhaps more for long-lived heritage chicken breeds, egg production will decrease but chickens will continue to lay relatively large eggs until near the end of their laying life.
For bigger eggs:
- Keep your chickens until they are 2-3 years of age
- Choose long-lived heritage breeds
Dietary deficiencies definitely impact egg production and egg weight. In particular, protein, calcium and amino acids are key to egg production. Deficiencies will decrease egg weight and lower overall production.
In particular, methionine and linoleic acid in feed increase egg weight.
For bigger eggs:
- Give your chickens free access to a complete, premium layers feed with a minimum of 16% protein
- Dont give your birds too many scraps or treats that will decrease feed consumption
- Choose a mash or pellet feed to avoid deficiencies caused by selective eating
- Ensure sufficient calcium intake
- Supplement the diet with methionine and linoleic acid, for example with Dried Mealworms
Studies have shown that the weight of a chicken when it first begins laying will affect egg weight for the hen’s entire laying life. Pullets that are small and/or begin laying early will always lay smaller eggs.
You cant control when pullets begin laying, but you can influence it. You can also ensure your pullets attain good weight gain, which will lead to bigger eggs when your pullets begin laying:
- Provide free access to a premium, age-appropriate feed (Chick Starter/Grower Feed)
- Manage coccidiosis and other parasites
- If possible, time your hatch so pullets will be full-grown before spring as the onset of laying is often triggered by lengthening days and increasing temperatures, although this is less prominent in many Australian climates
Any sort of stress, from environmental changes and disease, to feather-pecking and predation, can cause hens to lay fairy eggs (fart eggs) or to produce eggs that are smaller than normal.
For bigger eggs:
- Manage environmental stressors
- Practice good biosecurity
- Monitor and treat for parasites regularly
- If egg size is smaller than average for age and breed, check your birds for disease
How Much Does Your Average Chicken Egg Weigh?
FAQ
How much do chicken eggs weigh?
Indeed, some chicken eggs can be larger and weigh more than 57 grams. These larger eggs can vary in weight, reaching up to 70 grams. They are typically produced by older and more mature hens or specific breeds bred for larger eggs. 3. Are all chicken eggs the same weight? No, not all chicken eggs are the same weight.
How many ounces are in a chicken egg?
Eggs come in different sizes, and according to USDA are sized based on their weight per dozen. The average sized egg (medium) is 49.6 grams or 1.75 ounces. The egg shell is 8 to 9 percent of the weight of the egg. Unless referencing a specific country or a specific type of egg, the eggs mentioned in this article will be chicken eggs.
How much does a medium sized egg weigh?
The average sized egg (medium) is 49.6 grams or 1.75 ounces. The egg shell is 8 to 9 percent of the weight of the egg. Unless referencing a specific country or a specific type of egg, the eggs mentioned in this article will be chicken eggs. USDA has set standards for chicken egg weights and grade.
How much do small eggs weigh?
Small eggs weigh in at minimum of 18 ounces per dozen. Since shell thickness correlates to egg size, medium eggs are a fantastic option for hard-boiling because they have slightly thicker shells than large eggs, making them easier to peel. Medium eggs weigh in at minimum of 21 ounces per dozen.
What does egg size mean?
In the United States, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responsible for setting standards for egg sizes, and does so by determining minimum weights per dozen. That’s right: according to the USDA, “size tells you the minimum required net weight per dozen eggs. It does not refer to the dimensions of an egg or how big it looks.
What size eggs do hens eat?
Large eggs are the most common size for hens in the prime of their laying days, and therefore the most widely available. Most recipes (especially when it comes to baking) are written with large eggs in mind, whether size is specified in the recipe or not. Large eggs weigh in at a minimum of 24 ounces per dozen.
How heavy is an egg without shell?
A standard large chicken egg weighs approximately 50 grams (about 1.75 ounces) without its shell, but this varies by egg size and country.
How much do 1 large egg weigh?
A large egg weighs about 2 ounces (or approximately 57 grams).
How many eggs will 1 chicken lay a day?
Do you weigh eggs with or without shell?
You weigh eggs without the shell if a recipe calls for a specific weight or liquid volume of egg, as the shell’s weight is not part of the edible portion. To do this accurately, crack the eggs into a separate bowl on the scale, zero out the bowl’s weight (tare), and then measure the liquid contents.