In major egg-producing states, flocks of 100,000 laying hens are not unusual. A hen requires 24 to 26 hours to produce an egg. Brown-shelled eggs are produced by hens with red feathers and red ear lobes. Yolk color depends on the diet of the hen. Artificial color additives are not permitted.
Several factors influence the size of an egg, the most important being the age of the hen.
As the hen ages, her eggs increase in size. Breed and weight of the bird also influence size. Environmental factors that lower egg weights are heat, stress, overcrowding and poor nutrition. Even a slight shift in egg weight influences size classification and size is one of the factors considered when eggs are priced. All Rights Reserved.