I'm not saying your birds aren't sweet birds, so there's no reason to insult my RIRs. I've got lots of different breeds because there's something I like about all of them. I just don't think they should be classified in the same group of dark egg layers as Welsummers and Marans when their eggs aren't nearly as dark. I've got my Marans for the same reason you have your Barnevelders.....I love how they look and their personalities. I've got my RIRs because I love their deep dark red color. Here's their eggs from yesterday....oh and it wasn't taken in the dark either. They aren't nearly as dark as my Marans eggs, but then they aren't classified as dark egg layers either.
