Why has your chicken laid a small egg?

1. Immaturity: When a hen first starts laying eggs, they are often smaller than her normal eggs. This is because her reproductive system is not yet fully developed. As she matures, her eggs will gradually increase in size.

2. Molting: When a hen is molting, she is shedding her old feathers and growing new ones. This process can cause her to lay smaller eggs, as she is using more energy to produce feathers than eggs.

3. Stress: Stress can also cause a hen to lay smaller eggs. Stressful situations can include changes in environment, such as moving to a new coop, changes in diet, or the presence of predators.

4. Nutritional Deficiencies: A hen who is not receiving a balanced diet may not have the necessary nutrients to produce large, healthy eggs. Make sure your hens have access to a complete and balanced chicken feed that is formulated for their age and production stage.

5. Genetics: Some breeds of chickens simply lay smaller eggs than others. For example, bantams and other small breeds of chickens typically lay smaller eggs than larger breeds, such as Rhode Island Reds or Plymouth Rocks.