Riddles have a knack for twisting our brains into knots, especially when they play on our assumptions and attention to detail. One such brain teaser has been making the rounds, leaving many scratching their heads:

“If I had 4 eggs, my rabbit lays 4 eggs, a thief gives me 3 eggs, my farm rooster lays 5 eggs. How many eggs do I have?”
Dissecting the Riddle: Line by Line
- ”If I had 4 eggs”
- The keyword here is “If.” This indicates a hypothetical situation. It doesn’t confirm possession of 4 eggs; it’s merely setting up a scenario. So, in reality, this contributes zero eggs to our count.
- ”My rabbit lays 4 eggs”
- Pause for a moment—do rabbits lay eggs? Nope. Rabbits are mammals and give birth to live young. This statement is biologically impossible, adding zero eggs to our tally.
- ”A thief gives me 3 eggs”
- This one’s straightforward. If someone hands you 3 eggs, you now possess three real eggs.
- ”My farm rooster lays 5 eggs”
- Here’s another curveball. Roosters are male chickens and, biologically speaking, cannot lay eggs. So, this statement adds zero eggs to the count
Video:
if I had four eggs riddle/puzzle answer
Calculating the Total
After analyzing each statement, the only real eggs you end up with come from the thief’s generosity. Therefore, you have 3 eggs in total.
Why Do So Many People Get It Wrong?
This riddle is a classic example of how our brains can be misled by assumptions and surface-level reading. Here’s why it’s so deceptive:
- Assumptions Over Facts: We often take statements at face value without questioning their validity. The idea of rabbits and roosters laying eggs slips by because we’re focused on the numbers.
- Hypothetical Traps: The use of “If” sets up a scenario that isn’t real, but many gloss over this, leading to incorrect calculations.
- Information Overload: Throwing multiple numbers and statements together can overwhelm and distract from logical analysis.
Video:
I have 6 eggs. I broke 2, I cooked 2 and ate 2. How many eggs do I have? || Solution Explained
Lessons to Take Away
Riddles like this aren’t just for fun; they sharpen our critical thinking skills. Here’s what we can learn:
- Question Everything: Don’t accept information at face value. Analyze and verify each statement.
- Focus on Details: Sometimes, the smallest words, like “If,” can change the entire meaning of a sentence.
- Stay Calm Under Pressure: It’s easy to rush and make mistakes. Take a breath, slow down, and think it through.

Final Thoughts
Riddles serve as entertaining reminders that not everything is as it seems. They challenge us to look beyond the obvious and think critically. So, the next time you come across a puzzler like this, remember to question, analyze, and, most importantly, enjoy the process.