Found this today - which chick

[eggmandoo]

I found this little egg in the middle of the pen today in the ground. There is a coop with nesting boxes but this hasn't been used. I have a black rock and bluebell at Pol, and a Orpington and white leghorn at 17 weeks. Any ideas ?

 

[eggmandoo]

The small egg at the bottom of the pic

 

[aart]

Wow that's a dark one...so probably not an orp or leghorn....not sure what the others lay.

You could always examine vent's and pelvic points.
Vent Appearance:
Dry, tight, and smaller - usually not laying.
Moist, wide, and larger - usually laying.

Pelvic Points 2 bony points(pelvic bones) on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.

 

[lazy gardener]

I think you have a pullet who is now who she claims to be. I did a thread search and this is what I came up with for dark egg layers.

https://www.cacklehatchery.com/baby-chicks/dark-brown-egg-layers.html

 

[eggmandoo]

Hmmmm interesting. I have found another egg Just now so that is 4 today including the dark tiny one. Maybe it's time for layers pellets now the youngest are laying.
I was told I bought a black rock, speckledy, and a blue bell.
Here they are

 

[aart]

Hmmmm interesting. I have found another egg Just now so that is 4 today including the dark tiny one. Maybe it's time for layers pellets now the youngest are laying.
I was told I bought a black rock, speckledy, and a blue bell.
Here they are

I read that the bluebell is a cross between Rhode Island Red and a Marans
http://www.pets4homes.co.uk/pet-advice/chicken-breeds-and-their-egg-colours.html
....so the marans is where the dark coating comes from I'll bet.

ETA: that dark bird in center sure looks marans-ish

 

[lazy gardener]

Good sleuthing, Aart!

 

[junebuggena]

The Speckledy and the Bluebell are Marans crosses, so they both might lay dark eggs.

 

[aart]

The Speckledy and the Bluebell are Marans crosses, so they both might lay dark eggs.

Huh...same cross too....but different names?

 

[junebuggena]

Speckledy is usually a Rhode Island Red hen crossed with a Cuckoo Marans rooster. The Bluebell is a Rhode Island Red and Blue Copper Marans cross.