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[dean2015]

Finally all 7 hens are laying - but one hen is laying white eggs when they should be brown.

Left to right the eggs in the picture beneath are from:

Bantam, mature

Brown shaver, mature
Brown shaver, young
Brown shaver, young

Splash Orpington, young (x3)

The egg in question in the middle one.
The hen is a new layer and has laid only about 4 eggs so far so only really been on the lay for a week or so.

But ALL her eggs are like this. White, the shell feels smooth and slightly slippery.

Would this be a dietary thing, a hormonal thing or, some form of disease/issue?

I understand sometimes you get odd eggs but this is consistent and daily.

Would they be equally edible?

 

[XxMingirlxX]

Yes, all egg colours are safe to eat as long as it has a healthy shell and bloom. If the egg is shelless or has a very thin shell then I wouldn't eat it.

Orpingtons often lay pale or white eggs (sometimes tan). English Orpingtons where I live lay in eggs similar in colour to that and every hen is different - each lays a slightly different shade and size.

As long as your hen seems alert and healthy I wouldn't worry. If they are on standard layers feed then they should need anything extra to suit their needs but if you think it may be a calcium difficiency then have an extra bowl of free choice oyster shell or crushed egg shell.

Hope that helps

 

[jhm47]

Should be fine to eat. As to shell color---crosses like these often have some variation in their eggs.

 

[dean2015]

thank you