It may depend on the line. My orig English Orpintons lay a darker, medium brown. My Orp pullets (1/2 English bloodlines) lay kind of a light tan-brown. They have a thin slightly chalky coating as well. None of my orps lay those shiny eggs like my Bielefelders or Easter Eggers. For me, egg shape (one orp lays torpedoes) & size (hens lay giant eggs) are more consistent than color. Because of the cold, I've been visiting the coop frequently, so I often see which bird is in the nest & run out to get her egg 1/2 hr later.Faraday, what color are the Orpington eggs? We want to hatch some and trying to tell which ones to keep.
Thanks, Kevin
I've never tried it, but I read that you can apply a bit of food coloring gel by the vent. (No need to stick it up inside, just at the opening.) It will streak the egg shells for a day or two to help you figure out which egg came from which hen. I wouldn't use red, though, b/c of possible pecking. Has anyone here ever tried it?