chicken eggs
chicken eggs on Alektorophobia: a running collection of 720 stories we have gathered and hand-picked because they are worth your time. Every post here touches on chicken eggs in some way — the news, the analysis, the deep dives, and the occasional surprise find. Chickens. Everything there is to know about chickens and the fear of them. New stories are added to this page as we find them, so check back if you want to keep up with what is happening around chicken eggs, or subscribe to the RSS feed to get them as soon as they are published. Browse the collection below, or head back to the homepage to see everything Alektorophobia is covering right now.

Hen or Roo
Meet Linda, the sassy enigma of the coop! At over a year old, she has yet to lay an egg and shows her personality by dodging affection like a pro. If you get too close, don’t be surprised if she gives you a peck—she’s not one for cuddles! And while she’s never crowed, her behavior leaves us all scratching our heads. Is she a hen or a roo? It’s a mystery that has many chicken enthusiasts buzzing. If you’re in the same boat, check out our article on Ruby, a mean girl looking for a change in attitude. It’s a feathered tale that might just offer some insights into your own flock dynamics!

Smallest egg ever?
Hold onto your feathers, folks! We’ve stumbled upon an egg-citing discovery—a teeny, tiny egg laid by one of our young Brahmas! Yesterday, we found this little gem nestled under a clucky friend, and we’re flabbergasted by its size. It's a mystery who the proud parent is, but we couldn't resist sharing this delightful find with our fellow chicken enthusiasts. If you think this is a one-off, just wait until you check out our article on the “Rescued highway chicken 1st egg,” where surprises are a common theme! Join us in celebrating the quirks of our feathered friends and share your own tales of tiny treasures in the comments!

First why at 13 weeks!
Oh, cluck-tastic news! Your feathered friends have surprised you with their first egg at just 13 weeks old—what a delightful twist! While most chickens don’t usually start laying until 20-25 weeks, it sounds like your Sussex and Copper Marans are a bit ahead of the game. Feeding them chick feed supplemented with snacks and greens might have given them an unexpected boost of extra calcium, which could explain this early egg-citing development. Just a heads-up, though—be cautious about switching to layer feed too soon, as it can affect their growth. And that suspected rooster? It sounds like your heart is a bit ruffled! If you’re curious about identifying your feathered friends, check out "Is this ... A roo?" for more insights!

Maeshmallowa
Meet Maeshmallowa, affectionately known as Maesh! This spunky 5-year-old Ameraucana was gifted to us after a heart-wrenching incident left her the sole survivor of her flock. Born under a cloud of misfortune, this feathered momma turned her luck around by becoming broody in May. With pride radiating from her feathers, she’s successfully hatched one adorable chick from three eggs—talk about egg-citing news! The proud papa is a light Brahma, and the little hatchling comes from a Speckled Sussex egg, making Maesh a fabulous foster mom. Her whimsical name is a delightful twist on “marshmallow,” courtesy of a friend’s online discovery. Join us in celebrating Maesh and her new adventure in motherhood! For more insights on flock dynamics, check out "Chick wound help."
What’s going on with this egg??
What’s going on with this egg?? 🚨 You’ve stumbled upon a real cluck-tastic mystery! Our friend ArmadilloLumpy1770 has discovered a surprise white egg in the coop—quite the departure from the usual brown, tan, or pinkish hues. With two hens who are about 1.5 years old and free-ranging, it’s not uncommon to find an egg that raises eyebrows (or feathers!). Is this an oddity or a sign that something’s amiss? Fear not! This could just be a quirky egg from a well-loved hen. If you're curious about the identity of your feathered friends, check out our article "Are these girls actually girls?" for more insights into chicken mysteries! Let’s crack this case together! 🐔✨

Identity crisis?
Identity crisis alert! It seems our feathered friends may have a mystery on their wings! Not long ago, our neighbor told us about a surprise chick that popped out of an egg we gifted him—except here’s the twist: we don’t have any roosters! All our hens are diligent egg-layers, and while one of them has some rooster-like traits, we’ve never heard a crowing sound around here. So how did this little chick come to be? With our coop securely locked and no neighboring chickens sneaking in, it’s a puzzling scenario for this chicken mom! If you’re also scratching your head over unexpected eggs, check out our article, "What’s going on with this egg??" for more cluck-tastic insights!
Please never trust an experienced chicken owner who refuses to research
Trusting an experienced chicken owner who refuses to do their homework is like feeding your feathered friends nothing but scratch—it's a recipe for disaster! Chickens have specific nutritional needs that must be met, and just because they’re alive doesn’t mean they’re thriving. I recently discovered this the hard way when my dad's hens stopped laying; their feed was nearly empty! After cooking some eggs for mine and tossing in leftover scratch, I realized I needed proper feed ASAP. As a high schooler working hard for pennies, it’s frustrating to watch my earnings go to “chicken emergencies” instead of college savings. If you’re feeling the same, check out our article on "Only one with a comb & waddle so far" for more insights into chicken care!

Rescued highway chicken 1st egg
In a heartwarming twist, a rescued highway chicken has laid her very first egg, and what a cluck-tastic surprise it was! Initially, when I found her, she felt like a feathered skeleton—her chest plate was all that I could feel. Fast forward a month of love, care, and a nutritious diet, and she’s transformed into a noticeably heftier and stronger bird. I honestly didn’t expect her to lay an egg so soon, but here we are! This little miracle reminds us that even the most timid chickens can surprise us with their egg-citing potential. If you're curious about chicken parenting, check out our article "I have 3 pekin bantams arriving on Tuesday" for some inspiration!

Hundreds of $$ Later - I got an egg!!!
After hundreds of dollars and countless adventures, I finally did it—I got my first egg! The excitement was so overwhelming that I screamed, causing my husband to think a snake had slithered into the coop! 😂 My family has been wonderfully supportive, but they just don’t grasp the sheer joy this tiny little blob of happiness has brought me. And let me tell you about my Roo, Marco—he’s truly a gem! He patiently coached his lady, Vanillopé, to the nesting box, standing guard while she paced nervously. He even laid in the box with her to calm her down. Talk about a devoted feathered friend! For more on quirky chicken antics, check out “Will she always have this Mohawk?
My chicken friends had a funeral for one of the hens.
Today, I found myself saying goodbye to one of my beloved hens, Monica. Living among a flock of feral chickens, I've developed a special bond with each feathered friend, knowing them all by name. This morning, I noticed Monica waddling up to me, clearly in distress. I snuggled her close, whispering how much she meant to me. As rain began to fall, I tucked her beside my door for shelter and dashed inside for a shower. When I returned, she had passed, and her flock gathered around her. I moved her to the grass, where they all clucked softly, mourning their friend. Even Monica's daughter, Solo, sat by her side, and my heart shattered a little more.

What is this mark on my egg?
Ever spotted a peculiar mark on your egg and wondered what it could mean? You’re not alone! Many chicken enthusiasts, like our friend lmbjsm, have encountered unusual egg markings while prepping for a delicious meal. These marks can arise from various factors, including the hen's health, diet, or even just normal variations in egg production. So, before you start to worry, let’s explore this cluck-tastic mystery together! If you’re curious about more chicken-related topics, check out our article, "Looking for Creative Ways to Keep Chickens Cool," which offers fun tips for keeping your feathered friends comfortable in any weather. Join the conversation and share your egg-speriences with us!
Chickens eating eggs
Chickens can be quirky creatures, and it seems yours have developed a taste for their own eggs—yikes! You’re not alone in this feathered dilemma, and many chicken enthusiasts have faced the same egg-eating conundrum. Despite your valiant efforts with mustard and blinders, it looks like your flock might just be too clever for their own good. The good news is that you’ve noticed they’re still laying a few eggs, thanks to the oyster shell making those shells tougher to break. Before you introduce your new chickens, it’s wise to tackle this behavior head-on. If you’re looking for more insights, check out "Dusk to Dawn" for additional tips from fellow chicken keepers navigating similar challenges. Let’s crack this mystery together!

My easter eggers are insane.
Oh, the delightful chaos of Easter Eggers! It sounds like your feathered friends have taken a page straight from the Looney Tunes playbook—fast, flighty, and a bit nutty! While these mixed-breed chickens are bred more for their colorful eggs than their calm temperaments, it’s not uncommon for them to be a little wild. You’re not alone in wondering how to socialize them better; many chicken enthusiasts face similar challenges. Handling them consistently is key, but it can be a test of patience when they seem more like roadrunners than cuddly companions. At least they have those charming tufted foreheads to keep things entertaining! And hey, if you’re grappling with egg production as well, check out “Chickens eating eggs” for some insights. Happy clucking!

She laid two eggs at the same time = one medium-ish, one tiny tiny
Well, cluck me sideways! Our feathered friend Yachats123 just shared a delightful little surprise from their coop—two eggs laid at the same time! One's a medium-ish egg, while the other is a tiny tiny gem. Isn’t it egg-citing how our chickens can surprise us with their quirky egg-laying antics? It’s like a delightful game of fowl roulette! If you're curious about what might be happening in your own backyard, check out our article “Pushing 5 weeks old!” for insights on chicken growth and development. Join the conversation, share your stories, and let's celebrate the whimsical world of chickens together! After all, every egg tells a story, and we’re all ears for yours!

Is this a meat chicken?
Wondering if your little feathered friend is a meat chicken? You're not alone! Recently, a fellow chicken enthusiast, /u/Umbralutch, found themselves in a cluck-tastically puzzling situation with six Bantam chicks from Tractor Supply—one of which is growing at a rate that could put the others to shame! If you’re already familiar with your egg-laying chickens but are stepping into the world of meat chickens for the first time, you might have some questions. What are the signs to look for? Are there differences in growth patterns? Dive into this delightful discussion and discover whether your speedy chick is destined for the dinner table or just strutting its stuff. And if you’re curious about other chicken quirks, check out “Strange Looking Chicken” for more entertaining insights!

Hidden nest, 11 new kids...
In a delightful twist of fate, our feathered friend Qtip has been hiding out in an unused coop, and just a couple of weeks later, she surprised us all by popping out with 11 adorable babies! But here’s the twist—none of these little ones are actually from her eggs! It’s a cluck-tastic mystery that has us scratching our heads and chuckling at the unexpected joys of chicken parenting. If you’ve ever wondered about the quirks of chicken behavior, you might enjoy our related article, "What chicken breed are these stray chickens?" Dive into the whimsical world of our feathered companions and share in the laughter and love that comes with raising them. Join the fun and get ready for more egg-citing adventures!

To medicate or not to medicate?
Welcome to the feathered conundrum of whether to medicate your new rooster! Just yesterday, he was strutting around like he owned the place, but now he’s acting a bit droopy. With the cooler weather and a potential case of coccidiosis on your mind, it’s understandable to be concerned. The good news is that you’re already taking steps to monitor him—separating him and offering a tasty mix of scrambled eggs, blueberries, and scratch. As you ponder over medication, remember to consider the whole flock's health. If you're unsure, check out our article on "My alpha chicken. My mean queen. Any name ideas?" for some light-hearted chicken wisdom while you decide the best course of action for your feathered friends!
They Eat Everything… And Pay Rent In Eggs 🐔🥚
Welcome to the whimsical world of chickens, where your feathered friends don’t just bring joy—they also pay rent in delicious eggs! 🐔🥚 In this delightful exploration, we'll dive into the quirky habits and hilarious antics of these clucking companions, proving that life on the farm is anything but dull. From their insatiable appetite for everything (seriously, watch your shoelaces!) to their charming ways of keeping us entertained, chickens are more than just pets; they’re true characters in our everyday lives. If you’ve ever wondered about the strange behaviors of your flock, check out our article, "Strange Behaviors," for some egg-citing insights. So, grab your apron and let’s uncover the delightful chaos that comes with keeping chickens!

Blood!
Oh no! Seeing blood on an egg can be alarming, but don’t cluck in fear just yet. It’s not uncommon for hens to lay an egg with a little blood, especially if they’re new to the laying game or if there’s been a bit of excitement in the coop. First, check your hen for any signs of distress or injury, but if her feathers look normal and she’s eating and socializing just fine, she might just need a little time to settle into her egg-laying routine. For more insights on chicken behavior, you might enjoy the article “Why is she laying like that????” where we explore common laying quirks. Let’s figure this out together and keep your feathered friend happy and healthy!

I don't always get speckled eggs, but they are pretty
Ah, the beauty of speckled eggs! While they may not grace our nests every day, when they do appear, it’s like a little surprise from our feathered friends—specifically the delightful H.P. Hancock, our barred rock superstar. These charming eggs add a whimsical touch to our mornings and remind us of the quirky personalities of our chickens. If you’ve ever wondered about the fascinating traits of different breeds or if you've encountered some quirky behaviors in your flock, you're not alone! Check out our article, "Is this an acceptable amount of open mouthed breathing?" for a light-hearted dive into the antics of our beloved hens. Join us in celebrating the joyous unpredictability of chicken life, one speckled egg at a time!

RIP Clementine
Today, I had to say goodbye to my dear Clementine, and my heart feels as heavy as a coop full of rocks. She was more than just a chicken; she was a feathered friend who brought joy and cheeky antics into my life. From her lovely green eggs to her playful nips at my neighbor when I traveled, she was a character with a personality that made every day egg-citing. As I watched her decline, I knew I had to make the tough choice to spare her from a slow death. I hope she knows how much she was loved.

What chicken breed are these stray chickens
Have you ever stumbled upon a gang of stray chickens and wondered about their origins? Well, you're not alone! In this delightful exploration, we dive into the curious case of a stray hen that has laid standard grocery-store-sized white eggs. With her feathered friends roaming freely, we’ll uncover the possible breeds behind this unexpected chicken congregation. Are they just a bunch of clucky misfits or is there a deeper story here? And speaking of unexpected encounters, check out our article titled “I think my chickens are trying to get me arrested,” where one chicken keeper found a hawk in their run! Join us as we crack the mystery and share some egg-citing insights into these wandering birds.
🥶 93°F = WINTER?! ❄️ | Arizona Chicken Coop Check & Egg Collection
Welcome to a cluck-tastic exploration of what winter means in the desert! In Arizona, where the thermometer can hit 93°F, you might be scratching your head—how can this be winter? Join us as we take you on a whimsical journey through our chicken coop check and egg collection, showcasing how our feathered friends thrive in unexpected temperatures. We’ll share tips on keeping your coop cozy, even when the sun is blazing, and how to ensure your chickens are happy and healthy. Plus, don’t miss our related article, “STOP Letting Your Chicken Run Turn Into a Mud Pit,” for more insights on maintaining a vibrant chicken paradise. Let’s dive into the madness of winter in Arizona together!
🥚 HOW MANY EGGS TODAY? | 95°F Coop Check LIVE
Join us for our live “🥚 HOW MANY EGGS TODAY?” coop check at a sizzling 95°F! As the temperatures soar, our feathered friends are working hard to provide us with those cluck-tastic treasures. Tune in to see how our girls are faring in this heat, and let’s share some laughs along the way! Whether you’re a seasoned chicken keeper or just chicken-curious, this lively session promises to be egg-citing and full of surprises. Plus, if you’re wondering how our coop checks stack up against cooler temps, be sure to check out our article on “🥶 93°F = WINTER?! ❄️” for more coop insights. Let’s get ready to crack some egg-cellent jokes and check on those egg counts together!