Confused !!!

[pshuman]

I have 6 chickens, 2 RR, 2 Barred Rocks, and 2 White Leghorns. They started laying in Sept and I was getting 2 white eggs and 2 brown eggs. A couple of weeks ago I started getting 5 (late Bloomer?) . But I now only get 1 white egg and 4 brown, I am confused. Any help appreciated. The color doesn't really matter , just wondering why the change. Thanks.

 

[KayTee]

Eggs from the same bird can vary in colour a bit - how dramatic is the change that you have seen - pure white to dark brown, or just a darker shade? A small change in egg colour can be perfectly normal - I have girls who lay eggs in shades from light cream to light brown, but I can usually identify them from the size, shape or texture.

Can you identify who is laying which eggs? If you can check on the girls regularly (even if it is only on the weekends, if you are at work all day in the week), you can usually see who is on the nest, and collect the egg immediately she comes off, so you will begin to recognise what colour/size/shape egg each bird lays. (And there can be very identifiable differences between birds). My girls have names, so when I collect an egg that I know was laid by a specific bird (90% of the time), I mark it with her initial - that way I can see any changes that occur, and spot any potential problems.

 

[PrairieChickens]

Hens stop laying for a variety of reasons. Check to make sure your leghorn isn't ill or injured. Chickens are prey animals, so they tend to hide symptoms of illness and injury to avoid attracting the attention of predators. Sometimes, an interruption in egg laying is the only clue we have that our girls are even sick.

Check for feather loss, injuries or swelling in the feet, listless or atypical behavior, or problems with her vent. Additionally, you may want to make sure she isn't egg bound, as that could account for the lack of eggs and can be lethal if left untreated. If all is well, make sure she's getting enough food and water and that she isn't being stressed, as these could be the reason she's not laying.