how do you know which chicken laid which eggs?

[littlelune810]

Since you will be around a lot there are many indicators that will help you identify egg layers:
1) egg size
2) egg color
3) hen in nest box for short time getting ready to lay, sometimes people think the hen is "broody" but shes just getting ready to lay. I dont disturb my hens when they are about to lay, it could cause them to find another place to lay, so you also know who's in the box by process of elimination. If not with flock they arecin the box (at least in my case).
4) later on, when hens get older (or if sick), start to molt etc., they will lose some of the color in comb and legs (unless already white or a very dark color) and wont lay. When color intensifies again they will start to lay again.

Thank you this is very helpful.

 

[pa2chitown]

No problem.

I recently received a 2-3 yr old BR. When I first got her she was in the process of molting. It was kinda neat to see some yellow return to her legs, and her comb get more reddish. As this happened, I started to notice that she had more interest in the nesting box. A few days later she started laying.

FYI, Even though the person who gave me two hens told me their laying days were over, and that they "might lay an egg every once and awhile", they are laying 5/week.

It is very important to keep them happy and healthy!

I got all my chickens for free. I kept them all in the coop for a week or more to condition them before leaving them out. The later two had a young rooster to help guide them to the coop, but never having been with a rooster they were confused for a bit, and at night wanted to go "toward the white light"....on my porch.

Now, I have a blue light in their coop. It's on all night (dust to dawn) but they don't seem to mind. It also gives off heat, and I have a small heater in the coop, as well...

 

[pa2chitown]

FYI, 3 hens = 15+ eggs/week

I had chickens when growing up and never had this type of production. I didn't know how to take care of them properly...