Do Black Chicken Breeds Lay Black Eggs?
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You’ve probably seen the photos floating around online—sleek black chickens next to deep, almost jet-black eggs. It’s a striking image, and it sparks a common question we hear often:
Do black chickens lay black eggs?
Let’s bust this myth once and for all.
The Myth: Black Chickens = Black Eggs
I get this question (and see it posted online) quite frequently. It’s honestly something I would have asked myself before I took the plunge into homesteading’s gateway drug – chickens.
SPOILER ALERT: If someone tries to sell you black chicken eggs. It’s a scam!
One of the reasons I get asked about black chicken eggs is because we raise Svarthöna chickens which are an all black landrace of chickens from Sweden. They are the distant, cold hardy, cousins of the exotic Ayam Cemani. However, the Svarthöna are less well known resulting in them being more rare.
Both chicken breeds carry the fibromelanosis gene which creates that black hyperpigmentation we all love. Both chickens are covered head to toe in black—from their feathers to their skin, beak, and even their internal organs in some cases.
So it’s easy to see where the confusion comes from. Surely their eggs must be just as dark and dramatic, right?
Wrong.
No chicken breed lays truly black eggs. While some may lay dark brown or dark green eggs, the pitch black eggs you see online are often photoshopped, dyed, or confused with eggs from other types of poultry altogether.
The Science Behind Egg Color
Egg color is determined by genetics. Pigments like protoporphyrin (brown pigment) and biliverdin (blue-green pigment) are deposited on the shell in the oviduct about four hours before the egg is laid.
Colors can range from bright white to dark brown, blue to green, and all the shades in-between. All eggs start out as white until pigment is applied.
Did you know?
You can sometimes predict egg color by the color of a hen’s earlobes. Hens with white earlobes generally lay white eggs while those with darker earlobes are more likely to lay colored eggs.
Depending on the breed, a hen may lay:
- White eggs (e.g., Leghorns)
- Brown eggs (e.g., Rhode Island Reds)
- Blue eggs (e.g., Ameraucanas)
- Olive or green eggs (from hybrid crosses)
- Dark brown eggs (e.g., Marans)
But unfortunately, no chickens produce black pigment in their eggshells.
What Lays Black Eggs?
If you’re desperate for black eggs, never fear! There are some animals that can provide black, or pretty close to it, eggs.
Cayuga ducks are known for laying light grey to black (or dark grey) eggs naturally. This may be where some of the confusion comes from when people ask about black chicken eggs. These eggs start out dark at the beginning of the season but lighten up over time.
Black East Indie ducks can also lay black eggs. As with the Cayugas, BEI breeds start with dark eggs at the beginning of their laying cycle and slowing decrease the pigmentation to a light grey or white color over time.
Emus can also lay dark emerald green eggs that sometime look black in certain lighting. However there’s no confusing those monster eggs with our domesticated chicken breed eggs.
And none of these three birds are common homestead staples, but they can provide that black egg fix you may need.
When Chickens Do Lay Black Eggs…
I know what you’re thinking…I just told you how chickens do not lay black eggs ever. But there’s some nuance here.
A healthy chicken will not lay black eggs but an unhealthy one can. If you raise chickens, here is a condition to look out for in your flock.
Egg Bound
Being egg bound is when an egg is stuck inside a hen’s oviduct and cannot be laid on its own.
Unlaid eggs can continue to build up behind the stuck egg and lead to the death of the hen.
This is because the route for the egg is the same as the route for expelling waste. When waste cannot be cleared, infection can occur resulting in a rotten egg leading to death.
Here is an example of this occurring and creating a black chicken egg.
Becoming egg bound can occur in all poultry, not just chickens.
Meet Our Black Chickens: Svarthöna
We raise Svarthöna—a rare, all-black Swedish landrace chicken. These stunning birds are not only beautiful but also hardy, alert, and well-suited for small flocks.
And what color eggs do our black Svarthöna hens lay? A lovely cream to light tan—just like many other breeds.
They may not lay black eggs, but they’ll steal your heart with their unique looks, cold hardiness, and great foraging instincts.
Why Black Chickens Belong in Your Flock
Whether you’re building a colorful egg basket or just want birds that stand out in the yard, black chickens, like the Svarthöna, are a great choice.
The Svarthöna are:
- Hardy in all climates
- Naturally alert and predator-aware
- Excellent foragers
- Great winter layers
- A rare breed we hope to support for future generations
- Great conversation starters (people are always curious about all black chickens)
And these calm birds are great for new chicken tenders and backyard flocks.
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FAQ
Are you sure that black chickens don’t lay black eggs?
Positive.
Is there a difference in flavor between the different colors of eggs?
There is no data supporting a difference in flavor or nutrient density between different egg colors. Food and water access, along with the ability to free range and exercise, will affect flavor and nutrient density.
Where can I find hatching eggs for *insert your color choice here*?
Scammers are rampant! So you must be careful when purchasing eggs online and even in person. Look for your local Facebook homesteading or livestock groups. Check out established hatcheries and find your state’s NPIP listing to look up who is raising the chickens you want nearby.
Final Thoughts
So, while black chickens don’t lay black eggs, the Svarthöna are still a beautiful and hardy addition to any backyard coop. Don’t let the myths fool you—these birds are real, rare, and ready to become your next backyard obsession.
