What size eggs do you buy?

[Clove]

First to the color of eggs:
White Leghorn chickens are white and lay white eggs. Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire and Plymouth Rock chickens are all reddish brown and lay brown or brown-speckled eggs.
There is a theory (I don't know if it is accurate) that if you look at the ear lobes of a particular chicken, their eggs will approximate that color. White lobes - white eggs, darker lobes - brown or speckled eggs.

Now to "size" - based on the American Egg Board:
Size
Several factors influence the size of an egg. The major factor is the age of the hen. As the hen ages, her eggs increase in size.
The breed of hen from which the egg comes is a second factor. Weight of the bird is another. Pullets significantly underweight at sexual maturity will produce small eggs.
Environmental factors that lower egg weights are heat, stress, overcrowding and poor nutrition.
All of these variables are of great importance to the egg producer. Even a slight shift in egg weight influences size classification and size is one of the factors considered when eggs are priced. Careful flock management benefits both the hens and the producer.
Egg sizes are Jumbo, Extra Large, Large, Medium, Small and Peewee. Medium, Large and Extra Large are the sizes most commonly available.
Sizes are classified according to minimum net weight expressed in ounces per dozen.
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[BerryBaby]

I buy extra large, Egg Land's Best brand.

[bluejeanz]

I always buy large eggs. I guess the only reason being that I do a lot of baking and 99% of the recipes call for large eggs. I adore Ina but all of her recipes call for extra-large eggs. When I make one of her recipes, I'll usually see how many eggs are 'involved' and then, depending on that, I may add an extra egg or just a tablespoon or two.


I know a dozen large eggs are supposed to meet some type of weight/size requirement but a dozen eggs bought at one supermarket are a teensy bit larger than ones bought at another supermarket. I've never been able to get an answer as to why and have just resolved that this is one of those things you'll never get a straight answer to, LOL. Although, now that I've said that, could it be the larger sized eggs are just lighter in weight??


A dozen eggs here cost about $1.93 and a carton of 18 are $2.69. I love when Easter rolls around cause they sell them for about half that price.


By the way, Lucy, excellent topic!

[BerryBaby]

I pay $2.69 for the Eggland's Best 12-ct.