Are you tired of those boring light brown eggs in your basket? Looking to add some wow-factor to your egg collection? I’ve been raising chickens for years and let me tell you – there’s something magical about cracking open your egg carton and seeing those deep. rich chocolate-colored eggs nestled inside!
When I first started my backyard flock, I had no idea chickens could lay eggs so dark they almost look like chocolate! Today, I’m sharing everything you need to know about which chicken breeds lay the darkest eggs and how to add these special birds to your flock.
The Darkest Egg Layers in the Chicken World
If you’re looking for the absolute darkest eggs possible, there are several breeds that stand out from the crowd These special chickens lay eggs in stunning shades ranging from terra cotta to deep chocolate brown – some even approaching a color that looks almost black!
1. Marans: The Champions of Dark Eggs
The undisputed champions of dark egg laying are Marans chickens Originally developed in France, these birds are specifically known for laying the darkest eggs of any chicken breed
Within the Marans family, there are several varieties that excel at laying extremely dark eggs:
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French Black Copper Marans: These are widely considered to lay the darkest eggs of all chicken breeds. Their eggs range from light red to deep chocolate brown, sometimes with darker speckles. They typically lay about 150-200 eggs per year.
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French Black Marans: These elegant birds with magnificent black feathers will lay up to 200 chocolate-colored eggs annually.
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French Cuckoo Marans: With distinctive speckled feathers, these birds lay what many consider the darkest of the dark brown eggs. Their eggs are darkest at the beginning of the laying season and may lighten as the season progresses.
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Cuckoo Marans: One of the most popular and accessible Marans varieties in the US, featuring irregular white and dark gray jagged stripes throughout their feathers.
Marans eggs are so special that French breeders actually have a color chart to grade the darkness, ranging from 1-9, with 9 being the darkest possible shade.
One chicken owner on BackYard Chickens forum mentioned: “My Black Copper Marans lay eggs so dark they almost look like chocolate candies in the egg carton!”
2. Penedesenca Chickens
Coming in a close second are Penedesenca chickens, a Spanish breed developed in Catalonia. What makes these birds unique is their unusual “carnation comb” that appears as a single comb in front but branches into multiple combs toward the back.
These birds lay terracotta to dark chocolate brown eggs, sometimes with speckles. They produce approximately 140-160 eggs annually.
Penedesencas come in several varieties:
- Crele
- Partridge
- Wheaten
- Black
They’re active foragers but can be a bit nervous and flighty. If you live in a hot climate, these birds are perfect as they thrive in warmer weather but aren’t particularly cold-hardy.
3. Barnevelder Chickens
Barnevelders are Dutch chickens that lay medium to large, dark chocolate brown eggs. Named for the Barneveld region of Holland, these birds were specifically bred for the color of their eggs and for laying during winter months.
The most common variety is the double-laced Barnevelder, featuring striking partridge-like feathers with a black base and dark gold lacing pattern.
Barnevelders are friendly, calm birds that make great additions to backyard flocks, especially for families with children. They lay approximately 150-200 eggs per year and start laying around 8-10 months of age.
4. Welsummer Chickens
Welsummer chickens are another Dutch breed known for laying rich terra cotta brown eggs, often with dark speckles. These chickens gained fame as the iconic Kellogg’s brand mascot (the rooster on the cornflakes box!).
They’re friendly, docile birds that enjoy foraging. A Welsummer hen can lay around 160-250 eggs per year, though they typically don’t lay during winter months.
One thing I love about Welsummers is their chicks can be auto-sexed at hatching – the females have darker heads and more distinct color patterns, making it easy to tell them apart from males.
5. Empordanesa Chickens
Rounding out the top five are Empordanesa chickens, which lay some of the darkest eggs in the world. These Spanish birds produce approximately 3 extra-large eggs per week, totaling around 130-180 eggs annually.
Their egg production slows in winter, but this break allows them to rejuvenate and produce even darker eggs in spring. The Empordanesa is related to the Penedesenca, and both originate from Catalonia, Spain.
What Makes These Eggs So Dark?
You might wonder – what makes these eggs so darn dark? The secret lies in a pigment called protoporphyrin, which is deposited on the shell during egg formation. The different breeds deposit varying amounts of this pigment, resulting in the range of brown shades.
Interestingly, the eggs are only colored on the outside – crack them open and they look just like any other egg inside!
Factors Affecting Egg Color
Even within these dark egg-laying breeds, several factors can affect the intensity of the egg color:
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Life stage – Eggs laid earlier in a hen’s life will be darker and gradually become lighter over time
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Season – Eggs laid at the beginning of the laying season will be darker than those laid later
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Stress – Stressed chickens often lay lighter-colored eggs than normal
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Genetics – Not all birds within these breeds lay equally dark eggs; quality breeding makes a big difference
Choosing the Right Dark Egg Layer for Your Situation
To help you decide which dark egg layer might be right for your specific situation, I’ve put together this handy comparison chart:
| Breed | Heat Tolerant | Cold Tolerant | Temperament | Dual Purpose | Eggs/Year | Forager | Good for Beginners | Backyard Friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnevelder | ✓ | ✓ | Docile | ✓ | 180 | ✓ | Yes | Yes |
| Empordanesa | ✓ | Active | ✓ | 160 | ✓ | Yes (but loud) | ||
| Marans | ✓ | Friendly | ✓ | 150 | ✓ | Yes | Yes | |
| Penedesenca | ✓ | Flighty | 140 | ✓ | Yes (but loud) | |||
| Welsummer | ✓ | Friendly | ✓ | 160 | ✓ | Yes | Yes |
FAQs About Dark Egg Layers
Can a chicken that lays brown eggs suddenly lay white eggs?
No, a chicken bred to lay brown eggs won’t suddenly lay white eggs. The color is determined by genetics. However, if you notice significantly paler eggs, it could indicate respiratory disease like bronchitis or nutritional deficiencies.
Are dark eggs more nutritious than regular eggs?
Dark eggs are just as nutritious as regular eggs. The color of the shell doesn’t impact the nutritional content within the egg. They contain the same protein, vitamins, and minerals as any other chicken egg.
Can I mix chickens that lay dark eggs with other chicken breeds?
Absolutely! You can mix these breeds with other chickens in your flock. Just keep in mind that if you plan to breed them, you’ll want to maintain pure bloodlines to preserve the dark egg color in future generations.
Are dark eggs more expensive?
Yes, typically dark brown eggs command premium prices at farmers markets and specialty stores due to their uniqueness and visual appeal. If you’re selling eggs, these dark-colored varieties could potentially bring in more money per dozen.
Where to Find Dark Egg Laying Chickens
Finding these special breeds can be challenging as they’re relatively rare in the United States. Your local feed store probably won’t carry them, but several hatcheries do offer them:
- Cackle Hatchery
- Meyer Hatchery
- Murray McMurray Hatchery
You can also check with breeders through:
- Marans of America Club
- BackYard Chickens forums
- Local poultry shows
My Personal Experience
I added a trio of Black Copper Marans to my flock last spring, and waiting for those first dark eggs was like waiting for Christmas morning! When my first hen finally started laying, I literally called my neighbor over to show her – the eggs were so dark brown they looked like they’d been dipped in chocolate.
The downside? My Marans don’t lay quite as consistently as my trusty Rhode Island Reds. But those spectacular dark eggs make up for the slightly lower production.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking to add some visual excitement to your egg basket, you can’t go wrong with any of these beautiful dark egg layers. Whether you choose the champion Marans, the heat-loving Penedesencas, the friendly Barnevelders, the reliable Welsummers, or the rare Empordanesas, you’ll be rewarded with eggs that will make your friends and family say “WOW!”
Have you raised any dark egg laying chickens? Which breed is your favorite? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments!
What Chickens Lay Blue Eggs?
Perhaps the most vibrant of chicken egg colors is the blue egg. Chickens lay blue eggs because they have a dominant blue gene for their shell color, which was caused by a retrovirus that altered the DNA sequencing in the hen.
The blue color is created by a substance called Oocyanin in the hen’s liver. This blue coloration extends from the inside of the egg to the outside, making it blue throughout.
Hens that lay blue eggs include:
What Chickens Lay White Eggs?
We all know about white-colored eggs as they are the most common of all chicken egg colors. Below are some of the most common breeds that lay white eggs.
Interestingly, many breeds that lay white eggs are of Mediterranean origin:
There are non-Mediterranean breeds that also lay white eggs:
Tinted or (off-white) egg-laying chickens include:
You might not know that white eggs are known as the wild type, or o – this means the egg coloring is natural and non-mutated.
Jungle fowl (Ancestors of every chicken breed) lay white eggs, which is why white eggs are known as the wild type.
The white color is both inside and outside of the shell.