Learn how to properly care for your Chocolate Egger chicks with our care guide.

Are these birds similar to Easter Eggers or Olive Eggers? They are all hybrid chickens bred for unique egg colors, but Chocolate Eggers are selected for rich, dark brown eggs. Easter Eggers typically lay blue or green eggs, while Olive Eggers usually lay olive-colored eggs.

Are they recognized by the APA? No, hybrids are usually not recognized by the Standard of Perfection, although they do make some exceptions based on history, significance, and unique traits of the breed.

Is their egg color consistent? Most growers will observe deep chocolate brown eggs, but hybrids can be unpredictable in their genetics. We cannot guarantee the exact color egg your chicken will lay.

What breeds are included in the parent stock? Our breed is a cross between a Rhode Island Red and a Black Copper Marans, chosen for both egg color and egg laying ability.

Why can't I breed two Chocolate Egger chickens together to raise baby chicks? This phenomenon is known as hybrid vigor. When you cross two heritage breeds, the offspring inherit and enhance the good traits of the parents. However, subsequent generations do not receive the same desirable attributes.

What is unique about dark brown chicken eggs? All brown eggs receive their color from a pigment called protoporphyrin, which deposits on the shell as the egg forms. What makes dark brown (or chocolate-colored) eggs unique is the higher concentration of this pigment. Certain chicken breeds have been selectively bred to deposit more pigment, which gives their eggs a much darker, richer brown color.

When do Chocolate Eggers start laying eggs? They typically start laying between 22-24 weeks, or about 6 months of age. This also depends on the time of year you are raising your chicks, the amount of daylight they are receiving, and local climate conditions.