Breeds that lay dark brown eggs...

[IggiMom]

I really like the brown eggs; the browner the better.

However, I notice that my Welsummers and Cuckoo Marans, who do lay a dark brown or a speckled egg, lay eggs that you can wash the color off of.

In fact, you can scratch the surface of the egg and get it marked and scratched without even washing it or indeed even trying. This is especially a problem right now when it is muddy out and the eggs do get mud on them. When I wash them, they are not so pretty any more.

Now, some breeds the color goes clear through the shell. If I wash the shell of one of my pretty blue or green eggs, or the light brown of a Buff Orpington, well, none of that color washes off.

So here is my question: what is the darkest brown egg layer that has an egg color that goes clear through and you cannot wash off?

You cannot wash the color off of a Rhode Island Red egg, for example. But would there be any darker eggs that you cannot wash off?

I rather like having a rainbow basket, and I sell eggs, and the people who buy them often comment on how pretty they are. So I am looking for a darker brown egg layer--not to replace the whole flock or anything, but as an addition.

Thanks.

Catherine

 

[Illia]

Honestly if you think your Welsummers and Cuckoo Marans lay dark eggs, you should take a look at Black Copper Marans eggs. . . Waaay darker.

But really, "normal" brown eggs don't get much darker, and the good dark stuff (Penedesencas, Welsummers. Marans, Empordasencas, etc) is dark because it is "sprayed" on while being squeezed out very slowly. That is why they are so dark - It is like if you took an egg through a tunnel and sprayed it - The slower it goes, the darker it is because the more it is sprayed. Brown eggs are just simply brown, as it is already in the shell..

However, I know that my Wyandottes sometimes lay a decent brown - Almost a Terra Cotta color, but only a couple of my girls, which I'd have to selectively breed for that trait. Otherwise, if you want a dark egg you'll have to just go with having them easily washed off. Just be more gentle with them.

Infact, I don't know many incidents of the color being washed off that much - Do you scrub yours down roughly or something?

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
I think Illia covered all the dark laying breeds. Penedesencas, Welsummers, Marans, Empordasencas

ETA: BCM's are supposed to lay the darkest of the Marans.

 

[chicmom]

I can totally relate to what you're saying. I used to LOVE my BC Marans eggs, but you are right--the color does scratch off. Every time I collect the eggs, the Marans egg is usually scratched. Now, my Golden Buff hybrids lay a nice terra cotta shade of brown that is quite pretty, plus, they lay faithfully every day and it's a very large egg. So they would have to be my favorite brown egg layers.

I also have some Ameraucanas, and they lay a nice pale blue egg--(really to me it looks like a sea foam green color). But when I put those eggs in a carton and alternate the colors, they just look so pretty and my customers love it!

I just recently ordered some white egg layers to add to the mix. Why not!

Sharon

 

[tnchickenut]

I'm trying to find it again... but I read somewhere just last week that all eggs start white inside the chicken. Then certain things get added to add color (usually brown, but green, blue...). Also I do remember distinctly that the amount of sun a bird gets effects the color of the egg.

I'll keep trying to find it.... one moment.

Oh and my Dels sometimes lay dark brown eggs and the brown will wash off them too... kay... back to my search.

 

[Illia]

Quote:
The sun thing doesn't affect Marans though. They've already ruled that out, and put it strictly a genetic factor. I certainly can see all eggs starting out white though.

 

[tnchickenut]

I found it! Or something stating the same information.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm047

It starts out with: "The first documented report of shell pigment loss in brown-shelled eggs was in 1944 when Steggerda and Hollander, while removing dirt from eggshells produced from a small flock of Rhode Island Red hens, made the surprising discovery that some of the brown pigment also rubbed off. This effect was even more evident when the eggs were rubbed vigorously. Most of the eggs gave up their pigment fairly easily except those possessing a glossy surface."


But halfway down it explains how a egg gets it's color from the start... I suggest just reading it. lol

 

[tnchickenut]

Quote:
The sun thing doesn't affect Marans though. They've already ruled that out, and put it strictly a genetic factor. I certainly can see all eggs starting out white though.

That is because Marans lay glossy eggs. Welsummers are matte.

 

[blackdotte]

There are only two documented egg shell colours, white & blue. There is also the much rarer undocumented plum/pink shell.
To these base shell surface pigments can be added, giving a range on white eggs from just tinted to nearly black, and on blue eggs from a very pale green to a dark khaki.
All surface pigments can be removed. Uneven application, and thus uneven application of surface pigment results in speckled and blotchy eggs.
David

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
Great info, thanks!