₦airaland Forum

If you’re a poultry farmer, this question has likely crossed your mind: “When will my chickens start laying big eggs?” Whether you’re new to poultry farming or managing a large commercial operation, egg size matters. It’s more than a curiosity—it directly impacts your profits, customer satisfaction, and brand reputation.

At Petros Farms, we’ve worked with thousands of farmers across Africa and know the importance of understanding the timeline, factors, and solutions that influence egg size, just as we prioritize the health and quality of our antibiotic-free eggs. This blog is built to give you exactly that—so you can manage your expectations, boost your productivity, and run a more profitable poultry business.

What’s the Big Deal About Big Eggs?
In most African markets, larger eggs attract premium prices. Supermarkets, bakeries, and bulk buyers prefer medium to extra-large eggs for their consistency, shell quality, yolk size, and increasingly, for assurances of healthy production practices. So, if your flock is producing small ‘pullet eggs’ for too long, you’re not just losing size – you’re losing money and potentially missing out on the health-conscious market.

Understanding the Egg-Laying Timeline
Your birds won’t start laying large eggs overnight. Here’s the typical progression:

Age (in Weeks) - Expected Egg Size
18–22 : Small / Pullet Eggs
23–27 : Medium Eggs
28–35 : Large to Extra-Large Eggs
36+ : Peak Size (with slight gains)

What Factors Influence Egg Size?
Getting to those big, beautiful eggs isn’t automatic. Here’s what affects the size and when they appear:

1. Breed Selection
Different breeds are programmed for different outcomes. ISA Brown, Hyline Brown, and Lohmann Brown are top performers in Africa due to their ability to lay consistent, large eggs under tropical conditions.

2. Nutrition & Feeding Strategy
Egg size is built from nutrients. Your birds need a balanced layer feed with:

High protein (16–18%)
Sufficient calcium (3.5–4%)
Methionine & lysine (amino acids essential for egg mass)
Switching to layer feed at the right time is critical to prepare their bodies for egg production.

3. Body Weight at Point of Lay (POL)
Undersized hens lay smaller eggs. For ISA Browns, the ideal POL weight is around 1.5 to 1.6 kg. Monitor weekly weights and adjust feeding if your flock is underdeveloped.

4. Lighting Program
Consistent lighting triggers reproductive hormones. Gradual light increases help regulate laying cycles and egg growth. Sudden lighting changes disrupt this balance and may delay large egg production.

5. Stress Levels
Stress—from heat, overcrowding, high-stocking density, poor ventilation, or noise—can cause delays in laying and smaller eggs. Always provide a stable, low-stress environment.

6. Flock Age
Even with perfect management, it takes time. Most hens naturally lay small eggs initially. By week 30, most will consistently produce medium to large-sized eggs.

What If My Chickens Are Laying Small Eggs Beyond 28 Weeks?

That’s a red flag.

Pootle:
relax na yansh sef dey pain the poor fowl

Jokerman:
Why is a crate of egg now up to #6500 / #7000??

As at 2020 COVID era, it was 900 per crate.

What happened?

Jokerman:
Why is a crate of egg now up to #6500 / #7000??

As at 2020 COVID era, it was 900 per crate.

What happened?

Jokerman:
Why is a crate of egg now up to #6500 / #7000??

As at 2020 COVID era, it was 900 per crate.

What happened?

petrosfarms:
Check out our video at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrGOeSvIXKQ



https://petrosfarms.com/2025/04/when-will-my-chickens-start-laying-big-eggs/

Jokerman:
Why is a crate of egg now up to #6500 / #7000??

As at 2020 COVID era, it was 900 per crate.

What happened?

Jokerman:
Why is a crate of egg now up to #6500 / #7000??

As at 2020 COVID era, it was 900 per crate.

What happened?

Enskynelson:
Cost of inputs
Feed
Power supply
Labour
Etc

LandingistForum:
I know a family selling eggs from their local birds at the current market rate. They don't buy feeds or anything. These chicken roam about in the house for food. We even sometimes donate waste food to them.

The inflation in Nigeria is partly artificial.

LandingistForum:
I know a family selling eggs from their local birds at the current market rate. They don't buy feeds or anything. These chicken roam about in the house for food. We even sometimes donate waste food to them.

The inflation in Nigeria is partly artificial.

gasparpisciotta:
We still don’t have enough farmers in Nigeria, be a farmer today to feed your tomorrow 🤝

Enskynelson:
How many eggs are these ones you are mentioning producing? You just mentioned a non commercial farmer who may not be able to produce even a crate per day.
We are talking about commercial farmers and u are mentioning one backyard chicken rearer.