2026 breeding plans! (Meaties, egg/feather color)

[DemeterAD9]

Now that I’m down to my breeder hens and personal favorites the feed consumption is easier on my wallet and it is so much easier to tell who laid what. Here’s the current collection of egg colors though I am missing 2 brown ones from the LB and barnevelder.

I would love it if someone went brooder sooner rather than later. While my colored egg and pattern project isn’t my main focus this year I still want to hatch some pretty eggs and raise some pretty birds. One focus will be on darker brown eggs. For that I have 2 main candidates being a crested blue and golden cuckoo maran. If the blue copper maran fathers their chicks I’m sure some will lay a darker brown.

Though I could also just use my dark olives as any of their non-colored daughters should also lay a darker brown. This is all assuming the blue EE cockerel doesn’t father any of their chicks. If he does I expect lighter browns and greens. Good thing he’s well mannered or he’s be out of here.

I’ve also got some heavy bloom layers like the black dark brahma daughter, Lacy (B/L daughter) and I believe the barnevelder as well. They may be a side quest if you will. Depends on how many hens go broody.