Dark Egg Breeds Thread

[drom]

I thought I would start a thread to post pictures and discuss dark egg genetics and breeding practices. It's certainly important to post pics of your birds too

There is not much documented information on the genetics of egg color and none really on the specific genes involved with the dark egg breeds. So, please feel free to post your pictures and discuss your experiences, observations and practices for cultivating dark egg color in your flocks. I will also try to collect info on egg show schedules and results

 

[racuda]

Is there any evidence that feed has any affect on the pigment of dark eggs?

 

[Goose and Fig]

Quote:

OK- who is going to send me some eggs? I've been trying to avoid the whole marans craze- but I can't put it off much longer. I don't care if I have mutts- I just want THOSE EGGS!!!!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=4637781#p4637781

 

[drom]

Some people really believe it does, but with Marans, most of the breed clubs officially say that genetics are the only factor. There seems to be no question that certain factors will cause a bird that normally lays dark, to lay lighter and stress is one them. My birds lay lighter when it is hot and darker when the weather is mild. I haven't personally noticed a difference with a specific feed, but I have seen posts from people who swear that a particular feed regimen improves egg color in their stock. I think I believe healthy, well fed birds will lay their best eggs and genetics will determine how dark their best eggs will be.

 

[drom]

Quote:

OK- who is going to send me some eggs? I've been trying to avoid the whole marans craze- but I can't put it off much longer. I don't care if I have mutts- I just want THOSE EGGS!!!!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=4637781#p4637781

I think there's plenty of people in your neck of the woods to get eggs from! I think TN is Marans country anyway. Not sure about other breeds, but there are several Marans breeders there.

 

[geebs]

This is a hen (prized) and her next years pullet for the breeding pen... The egg is the original hens... Ihaven't had an eggie from this late pullet yet.. You all will be the first to know... Thanks for the new "SPOT" Drom

Sorry if they are redundant for you past posters... I thought we would get this party started... yeeeaaaaahhhh

Nice Eggies DROM... Are those the Wade Jeanne's from Bonne?

 

[drom]

Quote:
I love that dark maroon color. Your eggs have that super dark red hue. Did you say those really dark ones are from Cree?

Yes mine are all BHB and they are Presley/Jeane cross. I am waiting for my Spring pullets to lay and I am very excited to see if I will get anything darker in the third generation. Your girls are very correct, that's nice they lay so dark as well.

 

[geebs]

They are not all correct!!! In fact some of the hens I use are faulted as is one of the roos... I use the faults to correct one another.. It works too!!!

Bev told me that... I have proven it over and over.. You can't tell a flock by one roo and one hen.. You have to look at all the birds and the crosses.. I only single mate them. Oh and yep my best darkies came from Cree... Bryant is the second in line for darkie and Bayhorse bonne... Well you have em...you know.. They pretty much ROCK!!!! I love the temperment and health and compactness of the donna birds.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Whoo Hoo! Honey I'm home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Drom!

And geebs, I am going to H E double hockey sticks for coveting that hen like I am!

 

[Debbi]

Hi all! Thanks for the thread drom!! I was wondering, since I don't yet have any laying BCMs, do the hens usually produce the same color patterns/colors in their eggs? I know they lighten within the laying cycle, but some eggs are glossy reddish, some matte reddish, some darker brown, some speckled, get my drift? Can you breed for a certain egg color/type, or is it basically luck of the draw and they can lay any type (speckled, matte, glossy) at any given time? Nice eggs drom and geebs!!