Egg question- probably dumb lol

[Toastyone]

So I am getting some Crele Orpingtons which lay brown eggs. I want to get a couple cinnamon queen, who also lay brown eggs, to up egg production for eating eggs. My question is will I be able to tell the cinnamon queen eggs from the orpington? I will have a rooster in with them and will want to hatch eggs from the orpington while eating the cinnamon queen

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Generally speaking, yes, if you spend some time getting to know the birds you'll be able to differentiate between the eggs each produces as you learn who is laying what shade of brown (you'll likely find your orpingtons produce a lighter color than your sex links) This sometimes requires spending a little time in the coop observing your birds or, alternatively, confining a hen to a cage or other pen to see what egg she produces. If your birds are in a good production rhythm you can confine her late one day without disrupting her production because the egg for the next day is already in the works.

 

[Toastyone]

Ah good idea! I'm a "stay at home dog mom" so I'll be out with the chickens quite a bit. I guess the cinnamon queen should start laying before the Orpingtons. Thanks so much! Those simple answers that just fly right over your head lol

 

[Pork Pie]

Generally speaking, yes, if you spend some time getting to know the birds you'll be able to differentiate between the eggs each produces as you learn who is laying what shade of brown (you'll likely find your orpingtons produce a lighter color than your sex links) This sometimes requires spending a little time in the coop observing your birds or, alternatively, confining a hen to a cage or other pen to see what egg she produces. If your birds are in a good production rhythm you can confine her late one day without disrupting her production because the egg for the next day is already in the works.

Totally agree! I'm home based, so I when I wish to know who has laid what, I tend to go to the coop every 15 mins or so to see whose laying, then collect the egg a short while later. That way, one gets to be able to link each hen to a specific egg.

Some people also apply food colouring the vent of a specific chicken - the idea being that some of the dye should be on the egg. I've heard that it works with varying degrees of success.

And remember - there's no such thing as a dumb question

 

[Toastyone]

I thought it might be silly. From what I've read cinnamon queen are just a red sex link and come from varying parents breeds. The place I am getting chicks say they lay xl but I'm not sure if that is bigger than what Orps would lay or not. I know my girls in the past laid pretty big eggs. I greatly appreciate the help! I've never had a roo in with my hens before, as in the past I just had a mish mash of hens as pets and eggs.

 

[ScottKelly1974]

So I am getting some Crele Orpingtons which lay brown eggs. I want to get a couple cinnamon queen, who also lay brown eggs, to up egg production for eating eggs. My question is will I be able to tell the cinnamon queen eggs from the orpington? I will have a rooster in with them and will want to hatch eggs from the orpington while eating the cinnamon queen

I have both breeds. My Buff Orphingtons lay a light brown egg whereas my CQ lays a dark brown egg.