So, I spent most of today down on the bayou, working on a project that is opening my eyes, broadening my mind, and delighting my heart. I’ll tell you about it when I can. I was tickled to come home this afternoon and to discover that our two Black Copper Maran hens have finally started to lay. They are a French breed, known for laying the darkest eggs of all chicken breeds. Above, on the left, a standard brown yard egg from one of our Orpingtons, and on the right, a Black Copper Maran egg. It’s chocolatey, n’est-ce pas? Beautiful eggs, just beautiful. Those Marans are as dumb as dirt, even as chickens go, but they sure can produce a gorgeous egg.