Chicken eggs are graded by size, for the purpose of sales. The egg shell constitutes 8–9% of the weight of the egg (calculated from data in Table 2, F. H. Harms).
Animal welfare
According to Tom Vasey, chair of the British Free Range Producers' Association, laying larger eggs is painful for the hen. He recommends shoppers only to buy eggs of medium or smaller sizes. Professor Christine Nicol of the University of Bristol has stated 'There is no strong evidence of pain in egg-laying hens but it's not unreasonable to think there may be a mismatch in the size of birds and the eggs they produce. We do often spot bloodstains on large eggs.'
United States
The United States Department of Agriculture sizing is based by weight per dozen. The most common U.S. size of chicken egg is 'Large' and is the egg size commonly referred to for recipes.
The following egg masses including shell have been calculated on the basis of the USDA sizing per dozen:
| Size | Minimum mass per egg | Cooking Yield (Volume) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jumbo | 70.9 g | 2.5 oz. | 61 ml (4.125 tbsp) |
| Very Large or Extra-Large (XL) | 63.8 g | 2.25 oz. | 56 ml (4 tbsp) |
| Large (L) | 56.8 g | 2 oz. | 46 ml (3.25 tbsp) |
| Medium (M) | 49.6 g | 1.75 oz. | 43 ml (3 tbsp) |
| Small (S) | 42.5 g | 1.5 oz. | |
| Peewee | 35.4 g | 1.25 oz. | |
Canada
In Canada, modern egg sizes are defined as follows:
| Size | Minimum mass per egg |
|---|---|
| Jumbo | 70 g |
| Extra Large | 63 g |
| Large | 56 g |
| Medium | 49 g |
| Small | 42 g |
| Peewee | — |
Europe
In Europe, modern egg sizes are defined as follows.
| Size | Mass range per egg |
|---|---|
| Extra large (XL) | ≥ 73 g |
| Large (L) | ≥ 63 g and < 73 g |
| Medium (M) | ≥ 53 g and < 63 g |
| Small (S) | < 53 g |
Post-Soviet countries
In countries which are members of Interstate Council for Standardization, Metrology and Certification: Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Georgia, and Turkmenistan eggs are sorted into five categories by mass:
| Category | Mass range per egg |
|---|---|
| Highest (В) | > 75 g |
| Select (О) | 65 g – 74.9 g |
| First (1) | 55 g – 64.9 g |
| Second (2) | 45 g – 54.9 g |
| Third (3) | 35 g – 44.9 g |
Australia
In Australia, the Australian Egg Corporation defines the following sizes in its labeling guide.
| Size | Pack weight (12 eggs) | Mass range per egg | Average mass per egg | Edible portion per egg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King-size | 860 g | 71.7 g – 78.5 g | 73 g | 64 g |
| Jumbo | 800 g | 66.7 g – 71.6 g | 68 g | 59 g |
| Extra-Large | 700 g | 58.3 g – 66.6 g | 60 g | 52 g |
| Large | 600 g | 50.0 g – 58.2 g | 52 g | 45 g |
| Medium | 500 g | 41.7 g – 49.9 g | 43 g | 37 g |
New Zealand
In New Zealand, sizes are based on the minimum mass per egg. Current sizing introduced in 1973; prior to 1973, sizes were based on the minimum mass per dozen eggs in ounces: 15 (now 4), 18 (now 5), 22 (now 6) and 26 (now 7).
| Size | Minimum mass per egg |
|---|---|
| Jumbo (8) | 68 g |
| Large (7) | 62 g |
| Standard (6) | 53 g |
| Medium (5) | 44 g |
| Pullet (4) | 35 g |
Brazil
In Brazil sizes are based on the mass:
| Size | |
|---|---|
| Jumbo | > 66 g |
| Extra | 60 g to 65 g |
| Large | 55 g to 59 g |
| Medium | 50 g to 54 g |
| Small | 45 g to 49 g |
| Industrial | < 45 g |
Thailand
In Thailand sizes are based on minimum mass per egg.
| No. | Size | Minimum mass per egg |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Jumbo | > 70 g |
| 1 | Extra large | 65 g to 70 g |
| 2 | Large | 60 g to 65 g |
| 3 | Medium | 55 to 60 g |
| 4 | Small | 50 g to 55 g |
| 5 | Peewee | 45 g to 50 g |
Japan
In Japan, the Japan Egg Association lists the following sizes:
| Size | Mass per egg |
|---|---|
| LL | 70 g to 76 g |
| L | 64 g to 70 g |
| M | 58 g to 64 g |
| MS | 52 g to 58 g |
| S | 46 g to 52 g |
| SS | 40 g to 46 g |
South Africa
In South Africa sizes are based on the mass. :
| Size | |
|---|---|
| Super Jumbo | > 72 g |
| Jumbo | > 66 g |
| Extra-Large | > 59 g |
| Large | > 51 g |
| Medium | > 43 g |
| Small | > 33 g |
References
- F. H. Harms (June 25, 1990). "Specific Gravity of Eggs and Eggshell Weight from Commercial Layers and Broiler Breeders in Relation to Time of Oviposition". CiteSeerX 10.1.1.827.3676.
- "Buying large eggs is cruel, shoppers told". The Times. 2009-03-11. Retrieved 2021-11-13.
- Zoe Williams (12 March 2009). "Let's lay off large eggs!". The Guardian.
- "Sizing of eggs". USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
- "What to Do With Egg Whites". gourmetsleuth.com/. Archived from the original on 2008-02-22. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
- "Egg Regulations C.R.C., c. 284". Justice Laws – Canada. 2013-04-26. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
- UNECE Standard EGG-1 concerning the marketing and commercial quality control of eggs-in-shell (PDF) (Report). United Nations. 2010. p. 9. Retrieved 2015-01-02.
- "ГОСТ 31654-2012 Food chicken eggs. Specifications". protect.gost.ru. Retrieved 2017-06-06.
- "Egg Labelling Guide – Guide to Australian laws, regulations and standards for egg producers" (PDF). Australian Egg Corporation. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
- "Egg Labelling". Egg Producers Federation of New Zealand. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
- "Metricated eggs". The Press. 19 April 1973. p. 1.
- "Classification and Packaging of Eggs Poultry Farming in South Africa".
- "TAS 6702-2010" (PDF). National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. 2010-12-28. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
- "タマゴQ&A 「色・形編」". 日本卵業協会. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
- "Classification Packaging of Eggs - Poultry Farming in South Africa". southafrica.co.za. Retrieved 2023-04-09.
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