Iowa hen lays 'egg-normous' prize

[March 01, 2011]  BONAPARTE, Iowa (AP) -- A hen in southeast Iowa has provided its owner with a prize he calls "egg-normous."

It's a 4.1-ounce beauty that's about twice the size of large eggs sold by the dozen in supermarkets. After it was laid Feb. 18 by an Australorp hen, 37-year-old Nathan Batten carried the egg around in his coat pocket for a couple of days to show his friends. He's since put it in his refrigerator. The egg measures 3.5 inches long, 6.5 inches around. Sean Skeehan raises chickens at Blue Gate Farm in Chariton. He says egg size depends on chicken breed, not chicken feed. He says Australorp eggs usually weigh about 3 ounces. According to The Des Moines Register, Batten intends to contact Guinness World Records to see whether he's got a worthy entry. [Associated Press] Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.