Who might’ve laid the first egg?

[Newbiegirl7]

I have barred rocks and golden laced wyandottes that are about 21 weeks old. I got my first little brown egg today which is very exciting but I’m trying to figure out who may have laid it. Here’s a picture of the two hens that look the most mature. I was thinking it was the barred rock because her comb is the biggest but I’m wondering if it may have been the other one? Anyone have any input?

 

[bill3607]

I have barred rocks and golden laced wyandottes that are about 21 weeks old. I got my first little brown egg today which is very exciting but I’m trying to figure out who may have laid it. Here’s a picture of the two hens that look the most mature. I was thinking it was the barred rock because her comb is the biggest but I’m wondering if it may have been the other one? Anyone have any input?

I would think the PBR would have a darker egg.

If only one of them is squatting for you then that will probably be the culprit

 

[Tookie]

I say the best way to find out is to do a pelvic bone check.

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

 

[Newbiegirl7]

I would think the PBR would have a darker egg.

If only one of them is squatting for you then that will probably be the culprit

Ok thanks for your feedback! Unfortunately none of them are squatting for me. I’m new to chickens but my understanding is they should squat when I get close to them and reach down to grab them? I tried today and none of the squatted.

 

[LTAY1946]

Once you have grab them a few times they will squat for you just like they will for the rooster.

 

[bill3607]

Ok thanks for your feedback! Unfortunately none of them are squatting for me. I’m new to chickens but my understanding is they should squat when I get close to them and reach down to grab them? I tried today and none of the squatted.

Usually they start about the time they are getting ready to start laying, or are laying. Sometimes all you have to do is move around them and they will lol But, there are exceptions to everything

 

[jus10inla]

Once you have grab them a few times they will squat for you just like they will for the rooster.

9 times outa 10 if u have a rooster a hen wont squat for u.. and especially without the rooster making a fuss.

 

[LTAY1946]

9 times outa 10 if u have a rooster a hen wont squat for u.. and especially without the rooster making a fuss.

My Delawares and RIR's squat when I take them by surprise. Roosters don't seem to care unless it is roosting time then they may fuss a bit but they get over it before I catch them.

 

[jus10inla]

If your rooster doesnt seem to care dont really seem like hes doin a decent job protecting them then. It should always be alert and run over to at least check on things


You must be dealing with chickens that u have “handled / touched / coddled daily” since day one.

I am hands off 100% unless something has an injury. Not catching one of my birds unless i have treats or use the net to pin them Down.

 

[NatJ]

I would think the PBR would have a darker egg.

What breed is that?
Barred Rock is usually BR, and Gold Laced Wyandotte is usually GLW.

The longer name for Barred Rocks is "Barred Plymouth Rock," which has the same letters you used but in a different order. (Barred is the color, Plymouth Rock is the full name of the breed.)

I say the best way to find out is to do a pelvic bone check.

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

That is definitely worth a try, and generally works, but in this case it might not.

If the other is close enough to laying her first egg, they might be too similar to tell. I've had that problem a few times.

Sometimes careful nestbox-watching, or isolating one hen, are the only ways that really work.