Are your Marans' eggs the "right" color?

[biretta]

I would like to order some marans for laying purposes, but have read that in some lines the distinctive characteristic of mahogany colored eggs has incidentally been bred out, in favor of other desirable characteristics. I am wondering if your marans' eggs are true-to-species (mahogany-colored) and if so, where you bought them? Has anyone purchased marans from Meyer's Hatchery? Thanks!

 

[serendipity22]

I bought my Marans' from Meyers Hatchery. They're only 4 1/2 months old so they're not laying yet. But I can't wait to see what color they produce. I even bought another batch that is 5 or 6 weeks old.

I'm sure someone will know the answer to your question. I want to know too!

 

[biretta]

I guess you'll find out soon enough! Please keep me posted!

 

[SandraChick]

to get the egg color you want you'll need

1. A REPUTABLE breeder
2. A lot of $$$
3. The right diet

If you just want darker eggs, then you can go the "I hope this chicken has the right genes still left in it" route and use a hatchery.

JMHO

Sandra

 

[serendipity22]

Yea, I agree.

What is the right diet? My Maran's free range as well as get their ration of starter feed, oats and dog food that they steal from various places.

I figure that if I like the breed enough, then I'll get some really $$ birds to help my flock with their egg color if it isn't where I want it.

It's fun waiting to see what I get though!

 

[SandraChick]

I read a long time ago that the french (who came up with this breed) fed their chickens a special diet to get more consitantly, darker, eggs. Of course I can't find the site now!

I did find this neat article on egg color though

http://www.poultry.allotment.org.uk/Chicken_a/egg_shell_color/index.php

 

[serendipity22]

They say that the French Marans do well in a marshy area because that's where they originated from. There's no telling what they were feeding their birds! Mud? Maybe lots of mosquitoes? Does France have mosquitoes? Oooo! I know! Croissants! Or Escargot! Or Truffles! That's it! Black Truffles...

 

[biretta]

Actually in doing some research (don't remember the site) I read that the Marans' diet has no bearing on its egg color, that genetics was the determining factor.

 

[Katy]

I didn't get my Marans from that hatchery, but as far as egg color goes, I agree to get the really dark eggs you're probably going to have to spend some bucks.

Mine start out the season with darker eggs and when they're slowing down the color gets a little lighter. They are still way darker than my RIR or Barred Rock eggs tho.

I think they are the most docile birds I have ever had...even the roo has never been the least bit aggressive to me or the hens and he's going on 4 years old.