Barred Rock/ RIR Egg colors

[Biddieacres]

We have this mysterious light brown egg which I think might be from our Barred Rock. It has white specks on it. We get a light brown and a dark brown each day. At first I thought they were from our two RIR's. Then I thought maybe it is the BR. Can anyone tell me if they have a BR who lays light brown eggs with small white spots or can RIR's lay different shades of brown? Thanks.

 

[speckledhen]

They both lay different shades. I have one BR who lays a cream colored egg and one that lays one like chocolate milk. Sometimes they have speckles, sometimes not. And I've been no help at all, LOL

Forgot to say, one RIR laid a very dark brown egg and one a cream colored one, so they vary, too.

 

[Biddieacres]

Ahhh... that is what I thought speckledhen! haha Oh well, I will just have to get lucky one of these days and catch one in the nest. You were helpful in letting me know that RIR's can lay different shades of brown. I didn't realize that. I think that is what is going on here. These are the RIR eggs.

I don't think my Barred Rock is laying yet and she is 24 weeks. That is OK, I can wait. She is real red and must be ready to go anyday now.

Edited to ask....You say your BR sometimes have speckles.....but do your RIR ever have speckles?

 

[speckledhen]

Yes, my head hen who is no longer with us, a RIR,laid extremely speckled eggs and very dark eggs, too. I miss her eggs. They were also jumbos.

 

[greathorse]

I seldom get to see which hens lay which eggs. Is it safe to say that "normally" you can tell a hen by the egg she lays. That they are relatively consisent in the color and type of egg they lay?

That surprises me a bit, but not shocked. I can sort of tell which breeds but individual hens thats pretty cool

 

[Biddieacres]

It is pretty cool. I only have 6 young layers so at this point I am finding it real interesting to see who is laying what. Some day when I have MORE, I might never know who is laying which egg.

I only have one white layer (my leghorn) so that is easy to see. But at times it looks creme color so I wonder.

The 24 week old Easter Eggers have not started laying yet. (as far as I know) That leaves 3 brown layers. 2 RIR and 1 BR.

 

[speckledhen]

See this flat of eggs? They are all Barred Rock eggs. The lighter ones are from my friend, Kate's Barred Rock flock, and the dark one in the middle belongs to my BR Lexie. Amazing how different they can be, isn't it?

 

[Biddieacres]

Wow Cynthia that is amazing. I am surprised at how light some are. The different shades too. I imagined BR eggs to look more like your brown one in the middle.

I think my BR must be giving me eggs because her back side is so wide and comb is red. I posted a picture of her at about 22 weeks. (she is 24 now) Wish I had a photo of her from the back.

Now I know not to always look for a dark brown egg from her. It could be any shade like the eggs you posted.

I think she is so beautiful. I would like to have more Barred Rocks someday.

 

[speckledhen]

She is very pretty! I adore my BR ladies.