LARGE black hens that lay rich brown eggs

[brandoncakes]

Growing up, my cousins owned about 8 large black hens(they were HUGE, larger than Rhode Islands and Buff Orpingtons), and they laid a nice XLG brown egg. The egg was dark, not tinted, and had a pink hue to it. Does anyone know what breed this is? The hens looked like this:



This particular hen looks like she may be a bantam, but this is the body shape they had. I don't remember the leg color, all I remember are the bright red single combs, and plump large bodies. I know the guy they got them from only ordered through Murray McMurray Hatchery. The only breeds I could come up with are Black Giants(but body shape does not match) or Black Australorps(egg color does not match).

Any ideas?
Brandon

 

[lonnyandrinda]

Could they possibly be black copper marans? Some BCM hens are all black, they have large erect combs, a rather large breed although not huge, they are considered dual purpose and lay very dark brown eggs (some call them chocolate brown eggs). The pink tinting is probably more due to the local genetics, I am not very good at chicken genetics but from what I hear a pink hue to the eggs is more a fluke that appears occasionally in several breeds but is not considered common.

 

[zooweemama]

Looks like a black Orpington.


If it doesn't make sense - I blame autocorrect. Sent from my sweet iPhone 4s.

 

[stephanie1992]

Black Cochin? Black Orpington??

 

[popsicle]

Jersey Giant? Not all lay XL eggs, but plenty do. It's the only large, black, brown-egg-laying bird that comes to mind off hand.
Feathersite for Jersey Giant

ETA: I don't think Murray McMurray sells BCM. According to Henderson's Chicken Breed Chart, Black Australorps only lay an average size egg, and Cochins below average.

 

[BayGoose]

My guess would be Jersey Giants.

 

[brandoncakes]

The only breeds McMurray sells that match, are either BA or BG. They didn't have feathers on their feet. Perhaps they were Giants, but were fed a lot. They looked plump like Orpingtons/Cochins. All the photos I've seen of Giants online don't look like the hens they had. It would be so much easier if my cousins remembered what breed they were! Hahaha! Thanks everyone for your replies!

 

[sdsmowen]

Jersey Giant would be my best guess a good friend has them and swears by them for good very large quality eggs

 

[stephanie1992]

Good quality Orps are fluffly like a cochin but without the feet feathering

 

[hdowden]

orp

jg

ba

blk marans