What are Pullet Eggs?
It’s always an exciting moment when your chicken lays her first egg. Unless you are warned beforehand, you probably had no idea that they would lay such a small egg. These first eggs that your hens are laying are called pullet eggs. A pullet is a female chicken who is under one year of age. Generally, pullets will lay their first egg between week 18 and 24, however, depending on the time of year you receive your chicks, this may take a little bit longer. A pullet will lay this smaller sized egg for about 4 weeks before they start to get bigger.
Fun Fact: Did you know that smaller eggs are generally shipped out to egg factories that make pasteurized liquid eggs or dried powdered ones? We generally only see jumbo, extra large, large and at times medium eggs in the store.
Have you noticed that the yolks are bigger in your pullet eggs or that they are almost all yolk? Since pullet eggs have a higher yolk to egg white ratio they are valued for their bold flavor and velvety texture. Which also makes them an excellent choice for baking. I have personally had a few pullet eggs that were double yolkers! Double yolkers are generally found in laying pullets that are between 20-28 weeks old. The probability of getting a double yolker in a pullet egg is 1 in a 100! As the pullet matures into a hen you will generally only get one yolk per egg, since poultry genetics says there should only be one yolk per egg.
Egg Chart Comparison: Standard Egg Sizes (Weight Per Dozen)
- Jumbo: 30 ounces
- Extra Large: 27 ounces
- Large: 24 ounces
- Medium: 21 ounces
- Small: 18 ounces
- Peewee: 15 ounces
My favorite thing to make with my pullet eggs are hard-boiled eggs. Like bantam eggs, they make a perfect one bite snack. We would love to hear below in our comments your favorite way to use your pullet eggs!
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It was interesting to read your article on pullet eggs. I have a very unusual situation, based on the facts you listed above. My pullets, Barred Rocks, are just now starting to lay. So far, I’ve had 4 pullet eggs, and all of them have been totally without yolk. I haven’t seen this before in other years, so I was kind of taken aback.
Hi Rich. It sounds like your pullet is gearing up to begin her laying cycle, but it’s unusual to have 4 eggs in a row be yolkless. Hopefully she sorts herself out soon and you’ll have typical eggs in no time. Thanks for reading!
I have a new flock this year of 15 RI Reds and hybrids here in north Texas and had a few yolkless eggs and mis-shapen at week 17 or so and I think it’s entirely normal at first. Those first eggs are a real prize. I’ve previously raised other flocks and there were always some oddities in those first couple of weeks of laying. Its good to keep a log of the important events from chicks to around 30 weeks for future reference.
Personally I love to keep my pullet eggs. I have a large birds nest I found years ago and I usually put them in it as decoration. Because of their make-up they tend to go hollow within a year. I just find them neat so 🤷
Hi Jessica! Those first little eggs are so cute, aren’t they?
My little over 6 month pullet is gone broody and wants to lay on my other pellets small eggs …. roosters on them all the time …are the small pullet eggs fertile like will anything hatch from them or am I wasting my time putting some small pullet eggs under her
Hi Monice. I usually wait until the eggs become more “normal” sized for the breed instead of trying to hatch pullet eggs. It’s possible, but the yolk-to-albumin (eggwhite) ratio is smaller, meaning the yolk is usually full-sized and there is less albumin for the developing chick to float in.