The Midnight Viridian Breed
A true olive egger breed
The world of olive eggers is about to change. Say goodbye to confusing descriptions on how your chicks wont lay the same color egg they hatch from! These birds, homozygous for the blue shell gene, not only lay olive green eggs but have been selectively bred to retain uniform black iridescent feathers, cute plush muffs, and frost resistant pea combs. Their majestic appearance, friendly personalities, and gorgeous, large olive eggs are sure to make them a farm favorite!
(6) Midnight Viridian Hatching Eggs
Breed information
A Closer Look at Their Traits
Egg Color: Olive green (breeds true when paired with another Midnight Viridian) Egg Size: Large Annual Production: 200 eggs Plumage: Black with green iridescence
Copper Hackle and saddle feathers on males. Comb Type: Pea comb (working towards homozygosity) Facial Features: Full muffs and beard (working towards homozygosity) Eye Color: Reddish bay Shanks: Slate and feathered Hen Weight: 5-6 lbs Rooster Weight: 7-8 lbs Temperament: Calm, friendly, curious Forage ability: Excellent
The Development of the Midnight Viridian
By Caleena Risner
Introduction
The Midnight Viridian is a breeding project created to combine the rich, dark egg shell pigment of the Black Copper Marans with the blue egg color and unique traits of the Ameraucana. The goal was to establish a line that consistently expressed black plumage, slate legs, feathered shanks, pea combs, plush muffs, reddish bay eyes, and olive green egg color, while breeding true over generations.
Breeding Methodology
Founding Cross (P Generation):
• A Black Copper Marans (BCM) cock was crossed with 3 Ameraucana hens.
First Filial Generation (F1):
• Hetero offspring were selected for pea comb, extended black feathering, muffs, and egg color in this generation.
Backcross 1&2 (BC1 BC2):
• F1 individuals that expressed all desired physical traits were backcrossed to Black Copper Marans to reinforce the dark egg shell pigment. Only heterozygous offspring for P/p, E/e+, O/o, and Mb/mb were kept from each backcrossing.
Backcross 2 and 3 Intercross (BC2 x BC3):
• Hybrid BC2 and BC3 offspring that expressed all desired physical traits were interbred.
• From this generation, a percentage of birds were DNA tested for homozygosity for the Oocyan gene.
• Only homozygous offspring that also expressed all desired physical traits were retained as breeders to establish a stable foundation.
Outcross 1
•The Midnight Viridian breeder pool was outcrossed to an unrelated BCM line to improve the cosmetic traits and genetic diversity. Heterozygous offspring for all desired traits were selected.
Outcross 2
•Offspring selected from outcross 1 were bred back to the Midnight Viridian breeder pool and only birds DNA confirmed homozygous Oocyan that express all desired physical traits were selected as, and currently are, the studs for our Midnight Viridian flock.
Selection Criteria
Across further generations, birds are selected based on the following traits:
• Egg Color: Consistent olive green egg laying.
• Plumage: Uniform black feathering.
• Comb Type: Pea combs.
• Facial Features: Presence of full muffs.
• Legs: Slate-colored feathered shanks preferred.
• Genetic Stability: Only DNA-confirmed blue egg (homozygous) offspring were retained as core breeders.
We are currently line breeding to further refine Midnight Viridian to our standards. Desired traits expression will improve every year while we are intensive breeding to reach homozygosity for all of our proposed standard's cosmetic traits. (Pea combs, muffs)
Conclusion
The Midnight Viridian represents a deliberate blending of two established breeds, Black Copper Marans and Ameraucana, refined through selective backcrossing, intercrossing, and genetic testing. Heterosis is maintained in our flock with strategic outcrossings combined with line breeding in a cycle. This project highlights the power of modern tools, such as DNA testing, alongside traditional selective breeding methods to accelerate the establishment of a consistent and unique line of true breeding olive eggers.
Breeding Guidelines
Always select Midnight Viridian that most closely resemble the proposed standards. Like with any breed, you want to be picky about your breeding pool and select the best of the best.
Traits to breed towards:
-Darkest slate feathered legs
-Smallest pea combs with well defined rows
-Reddish bay eyes by maturity
-Black iridescent plumage
-Calm temperament
-Health and Vigor
-Full muffs & beard
-Distinctive olive-green shell coloration
Marketing Guidelines
-Including a one time breed origin credit in "introduction or base advertisements" for the Midnight Viridian is appreciated, but not necessary. (For example "We are proud to now offer Midnight Viridian™ developed by Mulberry Creek Hatchery").
-Including breed origin credit in item description is appreciated. (such as on your website)
-Do not shorten, alter, or misspell the name (e.g., “Midnight Verde,” “Viridian Backcross/Mix,” etc).
Do not use the name for any hybrid crosses you create with or without using Midnight Viridian.
(This keeps names from becoming convoluted, such as the names Ameraucana/Americana which are two different birds. It can unfortunately be confusing for some people.)
-Birds that do not meet the Midnight Viridian™ standard or are a result of crossing with a different breed may not be marketed as "Midnight Viridian™".
These may be sold as olive eggers, project birds, or under your own naming, but not under the trademarked name.
-Midnight Viridian™ birds or eggs may not be Knowingly resold to large commercial hatcheries. (This one is for us family farms and breeders only!)
-If you sell Midnight Viridian, please do so as an ethical breeder and a courteous, responsible seller. Good stewardship, transparency, and integrity in how birds are represented and sold protect not only buyers, but the reputation of this line as a whole.
Genetic Stability?
Midnight Viridian can be bred for many generations because it is a stable, reproducible genetic combination rather than a one-time hybrid. When breeders consistently select from correctly expressing birds and avoid introducing incompatible traits, the color, type, and overall vigor can be maintained line after line. Thoughtful linebreeding allows predictability, preserves the defining characteristics of Midnight Viridian, and supports long-term flock health when managed responsibly.