THE great egg mystery

[Geoffmowry]

we have 5 hens. 4 are about 6 months old; a silkie, a buff Orpington, a jersey giant, and a Plymouth barred rock. Lilly the barnevelder is younger. We found 3 small white eggs three days in a row about 2 weeks ago. Then we started finding brown eggs and never saw another white egg. At first we assumed the white eggs were the silkies (sunny) because I’ve been told she’s the only one of our flock that will lay white eggs. Thru observation we are certain that the brown eggs are the barred rocks (Elliott). There were a few days last week where we found none but noticed all the hens hanging out under the deck so we put chicken wire up to keep them out. That’s when we started finding brown eggs again but no whites. I’ve searched the yard and coop for eggs with no success. Elliott lays in the same place every time....not the nesting box but oh well. Is it possible that the first eggs were hers? Are the eggs brown from day one? Is there a way to coax sunny into laying in the box? For the record we’ve never observed sunny laying.

 

[SueT]

I don't think the egg color would change, I've never seen it vary much in an individual, tho size will. Anyone else? But Buff Orp eggs are very light in color, and also smaller than BR's eggs. First eggs are often very small.
Do you have more than one nest box? Do you have fake eggs in the boxes? The lower ranking hens may be forced to lay elsewhere. Give them choices. Mine really like plastic milk crates, so when I've had nest hogging issues, I would add another. Easy to remove if they reject it.

 

[aart]

Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.



https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/