Hi, all, I have a flock of Black Australorp hens. I bought them last spring from McMurray. When they started laying, I noticed that I have all different shades of brown eggs from the palest tan to almost a caramel color, even have some that are speckled. Now I am wondering if these are pure or a mix.
I also have a hen that lays an egg with what looks like sand spots on the shell. If you rub them, they come off just like sand. Any ideas why this should be?
Should all eggs from same breed be same color?
I don't think our chickens ever lay the exact same color eggs. I think the color can vary depending on what they ate. I'll ask my brother about it.
granny, as far as l know all of my girls that are the same breed lay different colored brown eggs same as yours. l guess it just depends on the indivdual bird. As far as the sand spots, that's a mystery to me.
Susan
Thanks, you two. Not thinking too clear these days. Down with a cold that's sending me to the doctor today.
one of my aussie's has the spots too.
with my Buckeye's, it seems the shade of brown [tan] depends on their breast plumage, as it vaires from blonde to red to darker.
it is nice knowing who laid what, esp when planning to incubate!
That would be nice. DH is still saying that the Australorps are too small. Might have to change flocks again. If I do, I will get RIRs and Buffs. Unless I get JGs.
Australorps small?? have to tel lyou it's where you got them from. think we had this conversation before about some places not having true breeds. you can have cross breeds and after a few generations have them looking like purebreeds, but the y still aren't. heck, my BA pullets are laying LARGE eggs. they will be jumbo before long, like my leghorns...
JG & Buckeye will be the only thing bigger than BA. but the breeder i got mine from had bad luck with hatcheries not having pure breds. so check around and find someone with a flock near you...
the spots r calcium deposits or should be. i just means they have a larger amount of calcium in their system when the egg was made. that's a good thing.
silkie
;-)
Actually I got them from MCM. I don't know if it is true that they are smaller than the other breeds we have had. Just my DH saying so. When I am up and around, I will have a close look at them to see.
TF, called the doc. He sent scripts to the drugstore for me. DH will go pick them up after he gets thru picking up something for our lady friend. Of course, if she knows he is going to town, she will want to go along. (she's 92 yrs). I hope he doesn't tell her.
Gotta wrap little cakes for the bake sale we are having on Good Friday. She is very generous and bakes for us. It sure helps when people do that. We don't have very many who are willing to.
Age, diet and genetic trait can all affect the color of the eggs. As for the spots (our chickens have had them too) they most likely are as silkie says...calcium deposits. More important than the outer color is the color and firmness of the yolk.
I was thinking they were calcium deposits. I am thinking it is only one hen who is laying eggs with the spots, and they can be scraped off easily. Well, I won't worry about them as now I know the chicks are getting enough calcium.
Thanks, all.