Yes - another egg color question!

[pbjmaker]

One of my new layers (have no idea who yet) has been laying a small - medium white egg (very white). The only white egg layers I have ever had were a pair of golden lakenvelders (Vowerks) that I got rid of earlier this spring. Everyone else came from a brown, tinted or green egg.

Am i correct to assume that whoever is laying it must have had the GL for a dad?

Also one of my up and coming pullets who are close to point of lay is a cross between my EE hen and we *think* the GL (but maybe D'uccle)

How will that affect the egg color of this hen - should I be looking for very pale green or white from her? (Or olive if the d'uccle was the dad)

Thnaks for the input

 

[WestKnollAmy]

What breeds do you have laying?
My Buff Orp are laying white eggs right now and I have a Barred Rock doing the same. As they get ready to molt they may lighten considerably in egg color. I know who lays what because I am always have to work in the coop. I just watch and collect as they come in and go out on their daily business.

 

[pbjmaker]

This is a new layer - I know the size and shapes of my hen's eggs. I have several young pullets at point of lay and am not sure who has begun laying. With the exception of my 2 red sex links, the new layers will all be crosses. The two I know the mom on for sure are an EE cross and Cuckoo marans cross. The dads could have been d'uccle, golden lakenvelder, or showgirl.

 

[redroosta]

Quote:
well, there is alot of white egg layers... many of them more common then GL's. EG: white leghorns

 

[ve]

White is mostly dominant over brown.If EE has one blue and one other gene(white or brown) mixed with white eggleyer can produse white laing dother.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

While there is only one gene relating to blue eggshell, there are more than a dozen genes that relate to tinting the egg (covering it with a layer of pigment). Some are dominant and otehrs recessive. Some enhanse white, others tint brown in one or more shades or hues.

 

[pbjmaker]

Quote:
well, there is alot of white egg layers... many of them more common then GL's. EG: white leghorns

I understand that - but the only "white" egg layer that I have ever owned has been a GL.

These are all "babies" from my own stock.

Thanks - sonoran and ve - I wasn't sure if white worked like brown and just layered over the color even more or if it was dominant to the point that it just came out as white. I am guessing that it might be the young EE who is laying the white egg then. I ought to get one of those trail cams or something and just put it out there for a day to see what's going on - but then again I might not want to know what chickens do in secret...

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

LOL! As I understand it, different white egg genes work differently, and are not thoroughly understoood. There is one that has been theorized that effectively turns OFF the deposition of the brown tint--probably acting on the gland that produces it? I don't remember the full theory there--it was discussed on Classroom at the Coop a number of years ago--you'd have to search. Others seem to be more opposite alleles of the various brown tint genes.

In general, white eggs are caused by the absence of that layer of pigment. On a white eggshell, of course

On a blue eggshell the lack of pigment coating would create a blue egg.

 

[redroosta]

Quote:
well, there is alot of white egg layers... many of them more common then GL's. EG: white leghorns

I understand that - but the only "white" egg layer that I have ever owned has been a GL.

These are all "babies" from my own stock.

OOhhh.... well that means a GL is the father but the eggs might not be fully white. i have a RIR x W/leghorn that has a very, very light coat of brown on her egg. If I took a picture of it the flash would make it look completely white.