Fun Egg Mystery 🥚

[BurbCoop]

Got this nice little fairy or newbie brown egg with brown spots out of the nesting box today.

Earlier this week, we got a large, lightly painted version of the same egg.

Here’s where it gets interesting. None of our current laying hens lay that color with brown spots. The only possible candidates are three mixed breed pullets that are 15 weeks old, or our head hen, who is a nine year old Buff Orpington that hasn’t laid in many, many years

While the pullets are starting to get their comb and wattles in, and getting more red by the day, none of them look to be near the point of lay. That said, two of them are strange mixes with interesting characteristics. The third does seem to be a Marans or Marans mix, which would line up with the egg color and speckles.

Our nine year old Buff Orpington on the other hand is bright red, but even when she was actively laying years ago, her eggs were never large like the one we got earlier this week and they didn’t have spots. Her eggs were always petite and evenly colored.

Whoever is laying these eggs is also in and out of the nesting box quickly. We can’t catch who it is

 

[BurbCoop]

Candidate 1 - BCM / Possible Mix

Candidate 2 - Barnyard Mix

Candidate 3 - Barnyard Mix (pretty sure this one is not laying, however, she has an almost moss colored face and comb)

Candidate 4 - 9 year old Buff Orpington (her comb and wattles haven’t been this red in years)

 

[BurbCoop]

Interesting- as I was getting the above pics, these two walked up on me and blushed. Comb and wattles are much more red in this pic.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I’m voting on the BCM.

I know that there’s variation within breeds, but my BO’s eggs are a pale beige with a touch of pink, with a slightly rough texture.

 

[BurbCoop]

I’m voting on the BCM.

I know that there’s variation within breeds, but my BO’s eggs are a pale beige with a touch of pink, with a slightly rough texture.

I’m with you seeing the red come through in that last pic. I think the white one is probably close as well. (Curious to see what color egg she lays)

I tell ya, these gals have been hiding it well. They’ve been no where near that red.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I’m with you seeing the red come through in that last pic. I think the white one is probably close as well. (Curious to see what color egg she lays)

I tell ya, these gals have been hiding it well. They’ve been no where near that red.

When it happens, it happens FAST. At least with mine.

 

[BurbCoop]

When it happens, it happens FAST. At least with mine.

That’s funny. With all of our prior hens it has been at least a week of bright red and nesting box curiosity.

We’ve also never had one lay this early. Most have been 20 weeks or more.

I’m also impressed she picked up the nesting box that quick.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

That’s funny. With all of our prior hens it has been at least a week of bright red and nesting box curiosity.

We’ve also never had one lay this early. Most have been 20 weeks or more.

I’m also impressed she picked up the nesting box that quick.

I meant that from deep pink to flaming red went quickly.

JMHO, changing comb color is the best signal of upcoming laying, and then the squat after 7-10 days of red comb. That’s how it went with ours, anyway.