Who’s Laying These Eggs??

[KatieG509]

Hello!
We have a flock of 6 chickens. Three are about 3 years old (a Cuckoo Maran and 2 Australorps) and the other 3 (a Buff Orpington, Rhode Island Red, and White Leghorn) are about 4 months old. One of the Australorps is currently broody, and the other Australorp has never been a great layer. The Maran is the only one reliably laying right now.

Recently, we’ve started getting these tiny eggs. We have about 3 of them so far. Not fairy eggs, but small. They’re the color of an Australorp egg, and I’m trying to figure out who is laying them. The broody Australorp, even though she’s broody? The other Australorp? She’s never laid small eggs before. Or is it possible that one of our new chickens has started laying really early?

Here’s a picture of one next to a regular Australorp egg.

Thanks!

 

[Ebony Rose]

Vent check No... seriously. A laying hen's vent will be moist, a non-layer will be dry.

 

[BlueBaby]

My bet is on the Buff Orpington.

 

[Jrd7788]

Vent check No... seriously. A laying hen's vent will be moist, a non-layer will be dry.

Yes, check the vent. Broodys won’t usually lay so it could be her.

 

[ShannonR]

My bet is on the Buff Orpington.

Why the Buff?

 

[ShannonR]

I think the older australorp, who isn't broody. Possibly a youngster too, but my guess is one of the older hens

 

[BlueBaby]

Why the Buff?

Because the Buff Orpington's lay that shade of egg.

 

[ShannonR]

Because the Buff Orpington's lay that shade of egg.

It could be, youngster egg production hiccups maybe. Dye on their vents would answer the question pretty fast, if the fairy eggs continue...

 

[KatieG509]

Thanks everyone! Do they sometimes start laying at only 4 months?

Either way, I’ll check the Orpington tomorrow- the one Australorp is skittish and hard to catch .

I should also add that I’ve found these eggs in weird places, not the nesting boxes, so it would make sense if it was one of the little chickens.

 

[aart]

Looks like a pullet egg to me!
Time for a hip check:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/