Are Marans good layers?

[ChookFlyingToTheMoon]

I am going to be buying lots of fertile eggs next January to April to hatch a new flock of laying hens, I have breeds in mind but would like to know how they perform, I don't particularly love brown hybrids who lay everyday but I'm wanting 4+ eggs from these, hopefully future pullets, a week:
Cuckoo Marans
Wheaten Marans
Black Copper Marans
Blue Marans

Oh and how about:
White Leghorns
Welsummer
Cream Legbar

Are they all good free rangers? Or are there any other Marans you prefer? Please let me know what you think to them if you own them thank you

 

[michelle glass]

I Only have experience with marans and white leghorns. White leghorns are faithful layers but are inpersonable and sneaky. Mine anyways....they don't seem to like to interact or be touched. Which is fine but when comes a time when I want everyone in the coop for various reasons of having to leave for the evening early or a hawk in the area, they seem to be toughest ones to corral up to go inside....it they are not wanting to do what you want, they will dodge and make life difficult! LOL Marans on the other hand are a bit more laid back. I have French blue coppers and black coppers and French black coppers. Not the same egg production but easier to handle. My roosters are very protective of the flock but have never touched me. They may run over and charge but hold off if I have to gather a girl up and she is squawking. Beautiful boys that do their job. Eggs are gorgeous but not as plentiful. Young are closer to 25 wks plus to start laying as well. But worth the wait. I would say both are goo picks depending on your highest priority of need. Nice mix of both if it were me. white almost every day and deep brown, every 2-3 days.

 

[Nksg75]

I can only speak for the BCM. Mine are decent layers, I have hens from 2 different sources(eBay). One source probably average 4 eggs a week. The other source is about 3 eggs average a week. I am not sure if this has to do with lineage or not. One thing I do love is the dark color and the large size!!!!
Also they are pretty good free ranging, mine tend to get a little plump if they can't free range as often as I like!!

 

[ChookFlyingToTheMoon]

I Only have experience with marans and white leghorns. White leghorns are faithful layers but are inpersonable and sneaky. Mine anyways....they don't seem to like to interact or be touched. Which is fine but when comes a time when I want everyone in the coop for various reasons of having to leave for the evening early or a hawk in the area, they seem to be toughest ones to corral up to go inside....it they are not wanting to do what you want, they will dodge and make life difficult! LOL Marans on the other hand are a bit more laid back. I have French blue coppers and black coppers and French black coppers. Not the same egg production but easier to handle. My roosters are very protective of the flock but have never touched me. They may run over and charge but hold off if I have to gather a girl up and she is squawking. Beautiful boys that do their job. Eggs are gorgeous but not as plentiful. Young are closer to 25 wks plus to start laying as well. But worth the wait. I would say both are goo picks depending on your highest priority of need. Nice mix of both if it were me. white almost every day and deep brown, every 2-3 days.

The Leghorns sound like a good bit of fun. I will be raising a Marans cockerel too so good to hear on the temperament. Thanks for your information, I think definitely gonna raise two or three of each

 

[ChookFlyingToTheMoon]

I can only speak for the BCM. Mine are decent layers, I have hens from 2 different sources(eBay). One source probably average 4 eggs a week. The other source is about 3 eggs average a week. I am not sure if this has to do with lineage or not. One thing I do love is the dark color and the large size!!!!
Also they are pretty good free ranging, mine tend to get a little plump if they can't free range as often as I like!!

I'll ask around about their hens' egg laying tendencies before buying, that would be something I wouldn't have even considered. Mine will be able to free range everyday so I hope they fill themselves up on bugs and grass rather than feed, we also have an abundance of mice and spiders for desert. Thank you too for your help

 

[michelle glass]

The Leghorns sound like a good bit of fun. I will be raising a Marans cockerel too so good to hear on the temperament. Thanks for your information, I think definitely gonna raise two or three of each

I don't know where you ate from but Gail Smith in strathroy Ontario sell fertile Marian eggs.

 

[michelle glass]

I don't know where you ate from but Gail Smith in strathroy Ontario sell fertile Marian eggs.

Maran... spell correct...tsk

 

[ChookFlyingToTheMoon]

I don't know where you ate from but Gail Smith in strathroy Ontario sell fertile Marian eggs.

I'm in England so that's a little far aha. I've been looking for breeders of French standard Marans but have had no luck unfortunately, just the English standard

 

[michelle glass]

Oh dear yes that is...

 

[Rechicked]

Maran... spell correct...tsk

Maran... spell correct...tsk

I live in Strathroy and looking for Marans. Do you still have Gail's contact info?