egg color??

[green horn]

Is it the DNA of the lady or the feed that helps make the egg dark?

 

[loveourbirds]

are you referring to the yolk or the shell?

 

[green horn]

I have black copper marans and the shell I am asking about

 

[loveourbirds]

shell color is by genetics and age. exceptions to the rule might be a large amount of iron in the feed or water, and illness.

 

[green horn]

So if they did not start laying yet my first eggs should be light
Or dark

 

[loveourbirds]

dark, as they get older eggs lighten up. the brown color is added right before they come out, you can actually wipe it off of a freshly laid egg.

iron in the water will darken the eggs, illness can darken or lighten the eggs depending on the illness.