Eggs

Shape

A good shape is of the utmost importance - it carries the largest number of points in the Standard - without it the show egg is non-existent. Shape is the first thing the judge is looking for when judging a class of eggs. The ideally shaped egg is broad, ensuring a large and well rounded dome, with greater length than width. The sides are equal and symmetrical, rounding off to a smaller end which should not be too pointed. Different judges will, no doubt, have their own interpretation of this definition, but this is what judging is all about.

Shall texture

Never underestimate the importance of good shell texture, rarely does one find a bad shell or poor contents with good shell texture, and for the show egg, it is a must. The shell should feel smooth to the touch all over. Free from hairline cracks, porosity, muscle indentations, lime pimples, bulges and without any roughness of any kind. Eggs with a matt shell texture must stand their chance and must be judged accordingly.

Colour

Whether showing Brown, White, Cream, Blue, Green, Olive, Plum, Mottle, Tinted etc. always show the best coloured egg you have, but not at the expense of shape and texture. One cannot make any hard and fast rule about size, but my own ideal for large fowl is anything from 2½ oz to 3oz and Bantams 1oz to 1¼ oz. Certainly nothing exceeding 1½oz which is the top weight allowed for Bantams on the show bench. 

Fresh appearance and bloom

This is very much taken into consideration by the judge. Fresh eggs should have small air spaces and not be over-prepared. Eggs may be washed, but if they are, care must be taken that they do not appear artificially polished as this could lead to the exhibit being passed. It is not advisable to wash dark brown eggs as this could damage the pigment. Clean nests at all times is the golden rule for any showman.

Remember that when exhibiting more than one egg, five points more for each egg are added for matching and uniformity. It therefore follows that eggs laid by the same bird are more likely to be successful when it comes to matching. Remember also, bloom and appearance will only be present with freshness.