It started out like any other morning. I checked on my flock and picked up any eggs that might be outside after getting my husband and kids ready for work and school. I was looking for eggs like I do every day (not all of my girls like nesting boxes). I walked through the coop with a train of chickens behind me waiting for their morning treat. And there, next to a few other regular-sized eggs, was this cute little, tiny egg. I had read about “fairy” eggs. Otherwise known as rooster eggs, wind eggs, witch eggs, or on the funnier side, fart eggs. Call them what you want but either way, they’re a fun little surprise to find! I’ve only found one of these tiny eggs before.
Fairy eggs are a common occurrence in backyard chicken coops. These tiny eggs without yolk really live up to their funny name. You might be curious about what’s going on if your hen keeps laying fairy eggs. Here is a complete look at what causes chronic fairy egg layers, what they mean, and how to get rid of them.
What Are Fairy Eggs?
Fairy eggs, also known as wind eggs, cock eggs, or fart eggs, are very small eggs with no yolk inside. They are typically the size of a marble or smaller. The lack of a yolk occurs when an egg is released from the ovary before it has time to receive a yolk.
While many fairy eggs are yolkless, some may have a small trace or streak of yolk material. The shell color matches the hen’s normal egg color. These mini eggs are fully formed otherwise, with an outer shell, membranes, and albumen (egg white).
Top Reasons for Laying Fairy Eggs
There are a few common reasons a chicken might lay fairy eggs all the time:
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Age: Because their hormone levels change, young pullets that are just starting to lay eggs and older hens that are on the last leg of their laying cycle are more likely to lay fairy eggs.
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Stress: Changes to the flock, coop, or environment can stress chickens and disrupt normal egg production. Predators, new chickens, loud noises, etc. may trigger more fairy eggs.
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Nutrition: Deficiencies in calcium, protein, or other nutrients can lead to small or abnormal eggs. Evaluate diet quality.
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Health Issues Reproductive issues respiratory infections parasites, etc. may sometimes manifest in fairy egg laying. Monitor the hen closely.
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Hormone Imbalances: Tumors, ovarian cysts, or other hormone issues could affect the hen’s reproductive system and egg development. Consult a vet if concerned.
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The egg-laying cycle is when a hen lays eggs. During this time, the eggs naturally change size and consistency. A fairy egg here and there is usually normal.
When to Worry About Fairy Eggs
An occasional fairy egg is not a cause for concern. However, if your chicken is laying multiple fairy eggs per week, it could signify an underlying issue.
Look for other symptoms like decreased energy, appetite changes, drop in egg production, weight loss, parasites, respiratory issues, etc. Any combination of fairy eggs and other symptoms warrants a closer look.
Schedule a vet visit if you notice anything that concerns you or persists longer than 1-2 weeks. They can run tests to pinpoint any health problems.
What to Do if Your Hen Keeps Laying Fairy Eggs
First, review the hen’s diet, environment, and overall health. Ensure she has a nutritious feed, access to greens/insects, appropriate calcium levels, clean coop, and flock stability.
Monitor her closely for signs of illness and schedule a vet visit if issues persist. The vet can diagnose and treat any parasites, infections, reproductive problems, or age-related changes causing the fairy eggs.
You may wish to isolate and observe the fairy egg layer to identify any triggers and relieve stressors. Make gradual coop changes to avoid disrupting her normal routine.
If the hen is older and fairy eggs are age-related, you may opt to retire her from the flock. An older hen with declining production may fair better in a pet home.
While fairy eggs alone are not dangerous, chronic fairy egg laying merits some investigation into the hen’s health and environment. Addressing any underlying issues and minimizing stress can help restore normal egg production. With attentive care and monitoring, your fairy egg layer can thrive!
What is a Fairy Egg?
A fairy egg is an egg that is missing the yolk. If you crack your egg open to find only white, then it’s considered a fairy egg. These cute little eggs are nothing to cause you concern. They are laid more commonly by young hens early in their laying cycle. But they can also occur in hens that are nearing the end of their laying days. Fairy eggs can also be caused by a disruption or stress while the hen is creating her egg. So, while not as common, it could happen in prime laying years as well. Fairy eggs are produced when the egg white (albumen) begins forming before the yolk is released during ovulation. Did you know it takes a hen approximately 25 hours to produce an egg? Creation is fascinating and it boggles my mind almost every time I think about it!.
What is a Fairy Egg? – Five Minute Chicken Tips!
FAQ
Why is my chicken laying fairy eggs?
If your chicken consistently lays fairy eggs, it might be experiencing stress, nutritional imbalances, or is simply at the beginning or end of its egg-laying cycle. Young hens just starting to lay and older hens tend to lay fairy eggs more frequently. Are Fairy Eggs Safe to Eat? Yes, fairy eggs are safe to eat.
Do hens lay fairy eggs?
Young hens, which are just starting to lay eggs, and older hens nearing the end of their laying cycle are more likely to lay fairy eggs. It’s part of the natural variation in egg production as hens age.
Can a hybrid chicken lay small fairy eggs?
You can avoid getting small fairy eggs for the most part by opting for a hybrid chicken rather than a pure breed, as hybrid chickens will usually lay medium and large-sized eggs. Nutrition is a large factor contributing to the health of your flock, as well as the size of the eggs they lay.
Why do hens eat fairy eggs?
You can spot these eggs because their shells are fragile or don’t have any at all. They are not safe to eat. Fairy eggs are shelled eggs but smaller and lack a yolk. Their cause can be a calcium or protein deficiency. If only one hen lays an occasional fairy egg, it has nothing to do with nutrition.
Why do hens lay small eggs?
Any changes in hormones can cause the odd small egg to hatch, especially in young hens that are just starting to lay eggs or older hens that are getting close to the end of their laying cycle. If a hen experiences an interruption in her hormone production, she may lay smaller eggs or even produce fairy eggs without yolks.
Do fairy eggs affect chickens?
Get you FREE Chicken Journal now! Want More? Every once in a while we all get a fairy egg. It doesn’t hurt your flock or homestead in the long run, unless you were really looking forward to that egg for breakfast. Miniature eggs are just one of the many things that you’ll find in the nesting box when you raise chickens.
Why is my chicken all of a sudden laying tiny eggs?
Stress. Predators, weather extremes, not enough water or feed and disease or illness can all cause a hen to temporarily lay smaller than expected eggs.
How to treat chicken laying lash eggs?
An infection like lash eggs needs to be treated with antibiotics. A lack of calcium in her diet can produce shell less, or thin shelled eggs, and is fixed by increasing her dietary calcium, should have layer feed with available crushed egg shells and calcium rich grit as an available supplement in the coop.
Who eats fairy eggs?
Bowtruckles were drawn to fairy eggs and ate them, along with woodlice. Hermione Granger mentioned this in response to Professor Grubbly-Plank’s question in a Care of Magical Creatures lesson on Bowtruckles in 1995 at Hogwarts.
Why are my chickens laying weird eggs?
… when chickens are just beginning to lay or when they are finishing their reproductive life, because the hormones that regulate egg production are changingMay 30, 2022