How dark are your Penedesenca Eggs?

[mediazeal]

I've now seen Penedesenca eggs from 3 different sources and none are darker than a 3/4 on this chart.

Who has Penedesencas, which variety, and how dark are the eggs you get from them? Can you post pics?

I'm starting to believe that the European birds may be laying dark eggs but we have a long way to go in the states... is that true?

(I borrowed this egg chart

)

 

[Illia]

Well I don't have any Penedesenca examples to give, sorry, but I can explain to you that the chart there is often used to compare Marans eggs - The reason Penedesenca eggs aren't really as dark as some of the ones on that chart is because they don't lay all that dark of eggs. (In comaprison to Marans.) If you want dark, like the last few on that chart, go for Black Copper Marans.

 

[OSUman]

Panedesenca are supposed to lay black eggs that are darker than those of the marans and in some cases they are crossed into Marans to darken their eggs even thought they have a coronation(sp) comb.
Even tho i dont have any i have been wanting some for a while.

 

[alicefelldown]

Quote:
Pens are a dark red/brown - most people call it a "a dark 'wet terracotta' color" - but never black.

 

[OSUman]

Oh i thought i read that some where but im probably wrong.

 

[mediazeal]

Quote:
Pens are a dark red/brown - most people call it a "a dark 'wet terracotta' color" - but never black.

I have read that also, that they can lay almost black eggs. And that they lay darker eggs (potentially) than BCM. I will track down the link to where I read it if I can. Would be interesting to know for sure if we just need to work on egg color or if this is just not true.

 

[alicefelldown]

As with all dark layers, egg can lighten and deepen throughout the laying season - there is no black pigment genetics that I know of.

Brown eggshells contain the pigment protoporphyrin, a breakdown product of hemoglobin. Found only on the shell's surface, the brown pigment can be dissolved by vinegar or rubbed off with sandpaper. Blue and green hues are caused by the pigment oocyanin, a by-product of bile formation. White eggshells are devoid of these pigments.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I have seen Luann's Pene eggs and they are at least a 7 but some could be an 8. I think it was from her Crele Penes but could have been from her blacks. In any case, they were as dark and some were darker than my Black Copper or wheaten Marans eggs. I was impressed with the egg color and size.
She doesn't come to BYC as much as she used to but she is on here as Luann Keller.

 

[mediazeal]

Quote:
Excellent, thank you Nadine!