First egg after molt?

[BethieofVA]

Hi there,

Yesterday I went to the coop to retrieve the one egg I knew I had simply because I had seen my BCM on the nest. It was there, but also there was an egg deposited by the pop door, right on the floor. Everyone was checking it out. It was intended to be a light brown egg, but was very, very almost white in places, blotchy and not a smooth finish. It was not a sandpaper egg, but no slick, smooth shell more dry and rough. I am curious if maybe it was from my RIR who had a mini molt (head and neck only) WEEKS ago. She quit laying before the started the molt, so it has been easily three months since she has laid. Also, she has not laid since we built the new coop. I have never seen her in a nest box, even to investigate. I was just curious if the first eggs can be funky after a molt?

Also, I do have a BSL that is a year old next month who has NEVER laid an egg. She never developed a comb or wattles, never squatted, nada. I doubt it is hers.

Oh, my RIR that molted did squat for me for the first time a few days ago. She used to be loveable, but has been a real grump lately.

Thanks, Beth

 

[emys]

Sounds like you have your hen. Your RIR is laying again. Yes, first and last eggs before and after molts can be unusual. It is as if they don't have their engines fully warmed up yet.