Where'd this brown egg come from?

[fargosmom]

We have four hens, 2 BR's and 2 EE's. The BR's started laying about 1 1/2 weeks ago, and each has laid one egg every day since. So far the EE's had not produced. Today when I came home for lunch, having collected two brown eggs this morning, I found another brown egg in the nest, along with a gooey yellow mass of wood shavings (that's what lines the nest box). So what gives? I'm thinking one of the EE's laid her first egg, and perhaps the other one laid a shell-less egg? I didn't find a crumb of shell so I'm hoping that the gooey mess wasn't an egg that got eaten. For that matter, if they ate one, they would have eaten the other too, right? Or is it remotely possible that one of the BR's laid 2 eggs in one day? I was really hoping for green/blue!! I still love the girls, but if their eggs are brown I have to admit I'll be a little disappointed. The EE's are both dead ringers for the pictures I've seen here of other people's EE hens - green legs, beards, pea combs, etc. The little two-year-old that lives inside me is pouting right now - wah!!!!

(but I suppose I'll get over it).

 

[Mahonri]

I've had EEs that laid brown and even cream colored eggs... it's the luck of the draw with EEs.

 

[Pine Acres Peeps]

A friend of ours claims his RIR's he used to have would sometimes lay 2 a day. But I don't think mine ever have. Sometimes mine will grab an egg and run and not touch the others.

 

[fargosmom]

If the gooey bit was an eaten egg, would there have been bits of shell stuck in it?

 

[LA~Poulet]

I had a jumbo egg placed in my nest box as a reminder for our hens-it was there for almost 24 hours before it totally disappeared-all that was left was a slight gooey mess, not a bit of an eggshell. I actually thought one of the hens had messed in the nest box hay at first. However, I haven't' had it happen since and I've collected 6 eggs so I hope it was a freak occurrence.

 

[Akane]

If they ate an egg the gooey part is what they would have eaten. More shell than goo would be left. Most likely it was a shell less egg. It's possible it could have been from one of the others since laying twice in one day is likely to result in one deformed or shell less egg. The brown egg is probably from one of the EE though.

 

[fargosmom]

Well, my inner two-year-old is still hoping that the second EE will come through with an easter egg - hoping hoping hoping . . .

 

[Kansaseq]

Do your girls have pea combs? They are supposed to be closely linked with the blue egg laying gene.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Agree.

 

[SteffyK]

What shade of brown? Some of mine lay a very light tan that looks to me like pink. When compared to a pair of light tan khaki shorts, you can see the slight red in the coloring.

My EE's lay sky blue, blue/green, green/blue, and this mottled green you would get if you colored a picture with light green and very gently smeared light brown over top. Then, we have cream, and a lovely pink (you say brown, I say pink) that my Gramps' cousin Elizabeth would have adored! (her whole house was decorated in pink, right down to the carpet)

From what I understand, egg color has nothing to do with the chickens looks, but more to do with the chickens genes. My most consistant blue/green layer has a huge comb and no muffs or beard. I havent figured out which one is laying the sky blue, but when I get around to it, I will definately breed her. Just as soon as I learn more about breeding for colors that is.

I also have one EE that is an inconsistant layer. She has a crooked tail and of course that is what the kids call her. Crooked Tail will sometimes lay shell - less eggs. Sometimes she doesnt know a good one is coming and it just falls on the ground, at which point the hens, moving at speeds faster than Superman, all run over and start pecking at it. Then the Chicken Race begins, I'm sure you've all seen the chicken race...it is so much fun to watch. Anyway, she will lay pink eggs, some with shells, some not, some in a nest box, some not. I dont mind as we have become quite fond of her. She is extremely vocal and the Roo just loves her to death.

And for the record, my hens LOVE fresh eggs, but dont eat anything in the nesting box. (That I know of...lol)