My First Eggs ... but who?

[HaywardHomestead]

I got my first eggs from my girls, but I'm not sure who gave up the goods ? I have 3 black sex links, 1 cornish cross and 2 ducks. I am inserting a picture below, based on net searches I think it's the sexlinks not sure, some pictures of duck eggs look similar.

 

[happylittlehens]

Those look pretty big for new layers! But I’m not sure what duck eggs look like... Hopefully someone has more insight.

 

[sawilliams]

I've had first time layer lay fill size eggs it's not uncommon. As for who? Pictures of the hens currently could help to determine so is closest to laying. I'm not sure about egg colors but especially store bought chicks can be mixed breed abed lay colors darker or lighter them thier standard.

Things got can do thi find out who. Watch who is going in the nests that is your most likely. Someone singing (think about this old chicken prize machines where the chicken clucked) this could be before during or after they lay, though first time layers will often sing off and on through a day if they are trying to figure out where and how to lay that first egg.

If you want to get more physical toy can do a vent check, it's not terrible but I understand if your not ready for that yet. 2 things got will look for us the depth of the abdomen and if the vent looks stretched and moist. Start by getting a comfortable grip on the chicken the best for this might be a football style hold head back rear forward. For the depth your going to feel just under the tail on either side for 2 boney points this is the pelvis. If you want feel for the breast bone next center down and forward just an fe inches or less from the pelvis. Lay one hand horizontally between the pelvis and breast, you may breed to press slightly to feel both count the fingers between the bones. 2 or less is not laying (or possibly laying very small eggs) 3 or more is a good indication they have recently passed a good normal sized egg.

The next part you need to seperate the feathers a little bit to find the vent. Remember both eggs and poop come out the same place though they form in seperate areas. You'll want to look (if you feel up to it of course) a non layers vent is small tight, some what flat and looks dry. A layers vent will look slightly rounded a moist. Longer laying hen vents can start to look stretched.

I hope this help.

 

[aart]

I'd guess the sexlink too.
Here's another explanation on how to tell...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[Hawgfan]

Sex links. Those aren't duck eggs.