What are PeeWee Eggs?

Peewee eggs, also known as pullet eggs, are a petite variety of chicken egg weighing a minimum of 15 ounces per dozen. They are produced by young hens under 20 weeks old that have just reached the age when they start laying eggs. Although tiny compared to a large chicken egg, peewee eggs are not lacking when it comes to nutrition, flavor or versatility in cooking. Keep reading to learn all about these bite-sized eggs and why they have a cult following among egg lovers.

Definition and Origins

The official definition of a peewee or pullet egg is an egg weighing a minimum of 15 ounces per dozen, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. They are called "pullet eggs" because pullets are young female chickens under 20 weeks old that have recently reached sexual maturity and started laying eggs. Since the hens are still growing, their initial eggs are smaller in size than eggs from mature hens.

Pee wee and pullet are terms used interchangeably to refer to these petite eggs in North America. In Britain, they may be called "cockrel eggs" for the same reason.

Availability and Cost

Pee wee eggs are hard to find in typical supermarkets since the major commercial egg producers focus on standard large eggs. Specialty farms that sell eggs directly to consumers are more likely to offer pee wee eggs when they have young laying hens. Due to their small supply, peewee eggs tend to cost more than regular large eggs, sometimes twice as much per dozen.

Nutrition

Despite their diminutive size, peewee eggs are just as nutritious as full-size chicken eggs. According to the USDA Nutrient Database, one large chicken egg (50g) contains the following nutrients:

• Calories: 72
• Protein: 6g
• Fat: 5g
• Iron: 0.9mg
• Vitamin A: 260 IU
• Vitamin D: 25 IU

Pee wee eggs contain these same essential vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and quality protein in the same proportions. The yolk to white ratio is also similar. So you can enjoy all the nutritional benefits of eggs without having to eat as much in one sitting.

Flavor and Texture

Many egg aficionados insist that peewee eggs boast superior flavor and texture compared to larger eggs. According to chefs, the dainty eggs have a richer, more concentrated egg taste. The thick albumen (egg white) also lends a luscious mouthfeel. Next time you come across pee wee eggs at a farmers market or specialty grocer, you may want to buy a few and experience the flavor difference yourself.

Cooking Applications

What‘s the best way to cook with petite peewee eggs? Their small size makes them ideal for appetizers, garnishes, salad toppings and other delicate preparations. For example, they work beautifully:

• Poached or fried on top of salad greens and grains
• Added to veggie- or herb-flecked scrambled egg dishes
• Used as a crown for avocado toast or deviled egg fillings
• Baked into miniature custards or soufflés

However, their low volume of white and yolk makes peewee eggs less than ideal for baking projects where the egg is a major structural component, like cakes. You would need to use many more peewees to achieve the desired rise and texture.

Other Small Egg Varieties

Chicken eggs aren‘t the only small eggs out there. Some other petite options include:

• Quail eggs: Tiny speckled eggs from coturnix quail, sometimes called "Caviar of the South"
• Goose eggs: Range from petite to standard chicken size depending on breed
• Bantam eggs: Miniature chicken eggs from bantam breeds
• Duck eggs: Intermediate in size between bantam chicken and standard eggs

All these choices have slightly different qualities when it comes to taste, nutrition profile, baking performance and more. But they share the appeal of being both smaller than typical grocery store eggs, and full of their own unique flavors.

Shell Color

Pee wee eggs can have white, brown, blue or green shells just like standard chicken eggs. The shell color is dependent on the breed and genetics of the hen rather than the size of the egg. Some hens even lay a mix of different shell colors in their clutch.

Grading

In commercial grading, peewee eggs are not separated into their own specific size grade. Instead, they are graded on interior quality factors just like regular large chicken eggs, from the highest AA grade to lower A and B grades. Higher grades have thicker whites, rounder yolks and a larger air cell indicating freshness.

Storage

The petite shells of peewee eggs make them prone to quicker degradation than larger eggs. For maximum freshness, store peewee eggs in the refrigerator in their original carton and use within 7-10 days. To extend shelf life, consider water glassing them. Avoid freezing, since the yolks tend to become thick and gelatinous when thawed.

Breeds That Lay Peewee Eggs

Most hens laying peewee eggs are hybrid crosses developed for commercial production, like Golden Comets. Brown-egg crosses between Plymouth Rocks and Rhode Island Reds are especially common.

Pure heritage breeds that mature slowly are more likely to lay extra small pullet eggs over a longer period, such as:

• Anconas
• Andalusians
• Catalanas
• Chanteclers
• Spanish

That said, any young hen getting ready to lay can produce petite pullet eggs at the start!

Why People Love Peewee Eggs

Beyond the novelty appeal, what makes peewee eggs so popular with some poultry keepers? A few reasons:

• More yolks for your money‘s worth compared to large eggs
• Handy for solo breakfasts or appetizer nibbles
• Fun, playful appearance for garnishes and platings
• Provide egg income while pullets mature
• Offer variety and whimsy in the egg basket

Have you cracked open any peewee eggs recently? Let us know your experience in the comments!