Pink Egg Project

[5 Acre Rooster]

I have a BYM that lays an egg a day that's between your color and slightly more purple. Don't ask who it is. I always wonder if I should sell the egg in a dz. because its so odd. No complains yet. Maybe I'll start saving and hatching them.

 

[Loghousemom]

After a few requests from fellow BYC'ers to receive fertile eggs from my L. Brahma who lays the pink egg pictured, I started the Pink Egg Project (named by one of the requesters). I got two RIR/EE cross cocks from my neighbor (eggs which I hatched out for him in my bator) to use for the project. For hens I selected my L. Brahma, a RIR/EE cross hen and an EE cross hen who both also lay pink eggs (although not as brilliant as the L. Brahma's). I also wanted to expand my EE flock so I chose three EE hens to breed as well. Bellow is a video of the project in progress

Neither of the cocks were hatched from pink eggs but the cross RIR/EE seem to be common for them (my experience). I will take a cock that hatches from the pink eggs and breed back to the pink egg layers. I already have a pullet that hatched out of one of the L. Brahma pink eggs (feather sexed) And here is a little cockerel that hatched from one of the other pink eggs Continued in approx. 5-6 months.. . Sorry I'm not filling any more egg orders

I am absolutely curious! I know this is an older thread, but I need to subscribe to this. I have a pink layer too except mine is a hatchery stock white Cochin. Her eggs usually look pinkish unless you wash the bloom off. Do yours keep their color even after washing? I have tried for several years to breed this pink layer, however last year every Cochin chick we hatched were male. All the females we hatched lay brown eggs. This year we are hatching from one of those Roos. The pullets should begin laying within a month so I am interested to see what I get in egg colors. How is this project going?

 

[Kadjain]

I am absolutely curious! I know this is an older thread, but I need to subscribe to this. I have a pink layer too except mine is a hatchery stock white Cochin. Her eggs usually look pinkish unless you wash the bloom off. Do yours keep their color even after washing?

I have tried for several years to breed this pink layer, however last year every Cochin chick we hatched were male. All the females we hatched lay brown eggs. This year we are hatching from one of those Roos. The pullets should begin laying within a month so I am interested to see what I get in egg colors.

How is this project going?

Yes they retain the color after washing.
The project is going slow but steady. A problem I am noticing now is that each hens egg color fluctuates. They lay a nice color egg but as they keep laying the color diminishes a little each day until they take a day off and their pigment gland reloads. This was very noticeable when I had Cayuga ducks. The eggs start out black and get lighter grey each day until they take a day or two off then the next round of eggs start out black again.

 

[SparkyCrows]

Yes they retain the color after washing.
The project is going slow but steady. A problem I am noticing now is that each hens egg color fluctuates. They lay a nice color egg but as they keep laying the color diminishes a little each day until they take a day off and their pigment gland reloads. This was very noticeable when I had Cayuga ducks. The eggs start out black and get lighter grey each day until they take a day or two off then the next round of eggs start out black again.

Very cool - I love trying to figure out the inner workings of the shell traits!

 

[Loghousemom]

I agree with the pp. I also like learning of the genetics and whatnot that make up egg color. I have spent so much time trying to build up my laying flock that I haven't had much time for fun projects though.

Winter here keeps me from doing to much hatching when it's cold so I try to hatch as many as I can in the spring and use the best layers from winter to breed for the next year. I would love to find some pink layers as well. Totally following the progress on your project!

 

[Lauravonsmurf]

Yes they retain the color after washing.
The project is going slow but steady. A problem I am noticing now is that each hens egg color fluctuates. They lay a nice color egg but as they keep laying the color diminishes a little each day until they take a day off and their pigment gland reloads. This was very noticeable when I had Cayuga ducks. The eggs start out black and get lighter grey each day until they take a day or two off then the next round of eggs start out black again.

I am following this project as I find it interesting that some birds the colour washes off the egg and in others it does not... that indicates different genetics at work... very cool.

 

[enola]

Yes they retain the color after washing.
The project is going slow but steady. A problem I am noticing now is that each hens egg color fluctuates. They lay a nice color egg but as they keep laying the color diminishes a little each day until they take a day off and their pigment gland reloads. This was very noticeable when I had Cayuga ducks. The eggs start out black and get lighter grey each day until they take a day or two off then the next round of eggs start out black again. 

Shell color fading is normal in all breeds.

 

[enola]

I had 2 silver laced wyandotte hens that laid pink(ish) eggs. When I put them in a carton for sale, my customers always raved over the 'pink' eggs. My cartons always included all shades of colors of eggs.

 

[Kadjain]

I had 2 silver laced wyandotte hens that laid pink(ish) eggs. When I put them in a carton for sale, my customers always raved over the 'pink' eggs. My cartons always included all shades of colors of eggs.

You mean like this?

The basket above is mine from a few years ago. I had all kinds of colored layers but since sold all but the Pink Egg Project stock.

This basket above was from my ducks. I had Cayugas, Runners who laid the green eggs and Khakis. Now I just have Khakis and Muscovy.

 

[Kadjain]

I think my current circumstances are forcing me to throw in the towel on my Pink Egg Project. With no previous discussion my landlord told me he is selling the property and I have till the end of next month to beat it! Between my Oriental and PE Project I think it makes more sense to try and keep dual purpose birds. So I think I am going to sell out my crested Khaki's too and try and keep the Muscovy and Orientals.
I haven't totally decided yet

I am so bummed about this .. .