Egg colour change?

[lettucegrow!]

I have four hybris, one of them a Skyline which is Thornes version of the Legbar cross and layed green edggs. After a very stressful introduction last year of the skyline and a maran curvree, who I sadly lost as she prolapsed before coming into lay,things are settled and happy. The newbie has now fully recovered from her feather damage and the one existing girl who was the most stressed about the situation and looked very ill at one stage, thin and mopey, they are all looking very healthy and in fine form. Question is this. As they went off lay a bit and then moulted and then we've had the winter I haven't had four eggs a day for a long time, and no green eggs for ages but I do get a very dark brown egg which is different from the shade I used to get. Is it possible that the skyline has altered her egg colour as the other girls all layed pale brown eggs and have now marans cross in them? I know egg shade can change but is it possible for it to change change shade totally?
Confused!!

[RichmondHens]

I wouldn't think so. The Skyline being a hybrid won't lay a true fixed colour egg, unlike Araucanas and Cream Legbars which do. I would expect the egg shade to vary - could be very pale or very dark and anything in between but not totally change colour. The dark brown egg must be coming from one of the others. You should be able to tell who is in lay by a) the colour of the comb and b) feeling the space between the pin bones either side of the vent. If you can fit three fingers width between the pin bones then they are in lay (or should be soon).

[lettucegrow!]

will just have to keep an eye them. Maybe now the day length's changing they'll all be back in lay soon.