They're making me CRAZY!

[CannedMonster]

Here in the UK Grower is often just 16% protein the same as Layer and the only higher one I can get is chick crumb at 18% but it is really difficult to get that unmedicated, so mine only ever get 16% protein once they are off chick crumb and don't seem to be any slower to mature, but I need to go steady on treats.
The important thing is to learn to read the labels on feed bags so that you know what you are getting.

I did notice when reading labels that the amount of protein in either grower or layer feed can vary by brand.
Reading labels is always good advice

 

[IamRainey]

Now I'm wondering if my Barnvelder is already laying. I get my small light brown Plymouth Rock eggs. And today there were 2 of them. Is it possible my Barnvelder is laying small pale eggs instead of the dark chocolate ones I've been expecting?

Here are all the eggs I've gotten recently. Two of them were laid today. Could one or more of them be Barnvelder eggs?

 

[rebrascora]

Is your Barnevelder definitely a Barnevelder and not a Partridge Rock? I would be a bit disappointed if any of those were Barnevelder eggs but hatchery stock are bred more for production than egg colour or breed characteristics, so it could be hers.

 

[aart]

and squeezing

Ya gotta squeeze them just right tho!

Layer is higher in calcium. Grower has more protein.

I did notice when reading labels that the amount of protein in either grower or layer feed can vary by brand. Reading labels is always good advice.

There ya go!

 

[IamRainey]

Yeah! She's definitely a Barnvelder. She's got the tiny comb and the black iridescent hackle feathers. Looks just like all the pix I've ever seen of Barnvelders.

 

[BYCforlife]

I just got a notification saying "Chickens really liked your post" Anyone else find this funny? @chickens really

 

[chickens really]

I just got a notification saying "Chickens really liked your post" Anyone else find this funny? @chickens really

...They really do...

 

[IamRainey]

OMG! I feel like such a Drama Queen. But this is all so new to me and I really want to understand.

Today my Barnvelder laid an egg that is darker than any she's laid yet. Is that how it works? I thought their eggs got paler as they aged because they had expended their supply of "paint". But does it also take a while to build up a supply as well?

I'm attaching pix of her first couple eggs in a carton with the Plymouth Rock's and another of her most recent ones in which you can see the color beginning to mark her's from the PR's.