An interesting albeit controversial method of having a magical hen that can find treasure is described in the Black Pullet (La Poule Noire), or, the Hen with the Golden Eggs. It says that one must do the following. First, take a completely spotless egg with and place it outside in direct sunlight at noon. Then, one must have a hen that is “as black as possible.” If the hen has feathers of any other color, they must be plucked out. Then, one must cover the hen with a hood to block its sight. Then, the hen is placed in a black box, or box lined with black material, and placed in a room without any light. The hen is only fed at night and tends to the egg without interruption. According to the grimoire, because everything appears black to the hen, its “imagination” will be affected by its surroundings.
If all of this is done correctly, and with the right luck, the grimoire claims the chick that hatches will be pitch-black and can find treasure.
Contrary to popular belief (and the title), as described in the original grimoire, the power lies in the ability for the hatched chick to find treasure rather than directly produce it with golden eggs.