Were these laid by the same hen?

sophiaw00

Songster
Apr 27, 2015
548
55
108
Illinois
I got my first egg on the 28th and today I got my second. The first was very small and light brown in color. I know it was laid by one of my salmon faverolle hens. The second egg is also very small but slightly darker than the first egg and splotchy in color.
400
400

I have
2 salmon faverolles
4 varieties of marans
1 blue andalusian
2 easter eggers
 
Last edited:
If you have got lots of pullets coming into lay then it's probably two different pullets due to the diffence in shape and shade.

However if you don't, it could be the same hen. It takes some time to work out all of the kinks and bugs in the egg laying system so small changes in shade and shape are normal. I do think that is a large difference between eggs so my guess is it's from the other Salmon Faverolle or one of the Marans if they are from a hatchery.

Hope that helps :)
 
Yes, they are all hatchery chicks. They are all the exact same age (25 or 26 weeks, I can't remember). I really want to keep track of who's laying what and who's started laying so it's bugging me not knowing if it is a different hen.

My marans varieties are:
2 white marans
1 splash marans
1 cuckoo marans - I KNOW it wasn't her. She's been in isolation due to an injury.

Who would you think laid it? If marans, which variety or do you think it was the other faverolle?

Here's pics...
Tot: Laid first egg on the 28.

April, other salmon faverolle

Betty Lou, white marans

Daisy, splash marans

Elsa, white marans
 
I'm not sure. If your Easter eggers aren't first generation it could also be them. Judging from the combs, I don't think it was the White Marans. The comb should be plump and shiny red. Other than that it's hard to tell, have any of your hens been checking out the nesting box? That's a good sign that they are close to lay.

Which of them squat? That is a very good indicator that they are laying or are close to laying. Touch their back they should hunker down into a squat position like the one below. This shows that they are sexually mature as the whole purpose of a squat is to provide a stable platform for the rooster during mating.
(Not my photo)
700


The other way to tell if they are laying or close to laying is by looking at the pelvic/pubic bones. The photo below should show you where to look. You will find to bony points on either side of the vent. If you can't get two fingers comfortably between them then they won't be the ones laying/close to laying. The bone spread out in order to pass egg through them. If you can get two fingers or more inbetween them that means the hens' pelvis' are ready to lay an egg. 3+ fingers means they are very close to laying/laying and lay a large sized egg.
700


Hope that helps :)

ETA : Added the photos :)
 
Last edited:
If you have got lots of pullets coming into lay then it's probably two different pullets due to the diffence in shape and shade.

However if you don't, it could be the same hen. It takes some time to work out all of the kinks and bugs in the egg laying system so small changes in shade and shape are normal. I do think that is a large difference between eggs so my guess is it's from the other Salmon Faverolle or one of the Marans if they are from a hatchery.

Hope that helps
smile.png
^^^X2. 2 different shades and shapes and texture, all same ages, well old enough. I say you have 2 laying. As far as wanting to know who is laying what? I feel you! I'm thinking of installing a nanny cam!
 
I'm not sure. If your Easter eggers aren't first generation it could also be them. Judging from the combs, I don't think it was the White Marans. The comb should be plump and shiny red. Other than that it's hard to tell, have any of your hens been checking out the nesting box? That's a good sign that they are close to lay.

Which of them squat? That is a very good indicator that they are laying or are close to laying. Touch their back they should hunker down into a squat position like the one below. This shows that they are sexually mature as the whole purpose of a squat is to provide a stable platform for the rooster during mating.
(Not my photo)


The other way to tell if they are laying or close to laying is by looking at the pelvic/pubic bones. The photo below should show you where to look. You will find to bony points on either side of the vent. If you can't get two fingers comfortably between them then they won't be the ones laying/close to laying. The bone spread out in order to pass egg through them. If you can get two fingers or more inbetween them that means the hens' pelvis' are ready to lay an egg. 3+ fingers means they are very close to laying/laying and lay a large sized egg.


Hope that helps
smile.png


ETA : Added the photos
smile.png
This was very helpful, thank you!

Elsa's comb is pretty red and much larger than Betty's, so I'm thinking it was either her or April. I'll check both of them by looking at their pelvic bones.

The easter eggers are from my pet chicken, which says that they could lay brown eggs and there is no guarantee what they will lay. I will be really disapointed if it's them.

Here's their pictures:
Tater



Pepper



Oh yeah! Forgot to mention. Tot squats, and I've seen April squat once. Haven't gotten close enough to the easter eggers to see if they do. The marans do not.
 
Last edited:
Okay just got back. I checked 4 of them. Tot...definatley laying. I was already pretty sure but I can fit three fingers between her pelvic bones. I also tested Elsa (white marans)...two fingers, but a little tight. April (salmon faverolle)...two fingers comfortably. Pepper (easter egger)...two fingers with a teeny bit of wiggle room. Any thoughts on whos egg it could be with this new info? Sorry...I just really want to know whos laying!

Oh and they lay while I'm at school, so I don't know who's been checking out the nest boxes. I'm with them all day after I get home from school but they are free ranging then and their eggs have already been laid.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom