Most of the hens eggs were a creamy tinted color. Pullets usually started out with a bit of brown to the shell and then faded, but a few of them held the color. They just never layed enough.
I think Barnies are a "special" bird.
In order to grow and produce correctly they will need to be feed differently than how we feed our other breeds. They will take certain amounts of protein at different growth periods and lots of carbs at other times. Balancing these out and applying them at the correct times is still a difficult procedure but one that I am working on right now.
It seems no one is having very good luck with the Barnies from all the breeders I have talked with so I am working on straightening out as much as I can nutritionally for these birds. It may also help on the color but we shall see.
I have no problems with Barnies. I feed them as I would any chicken. A chicken pellet with some cracked corn and I free range them during the day. Will try and post some photos of the eggs and chickens.
Why would you not keep a chicken if it lays light coloured eggs? The inside isnt reflected in the shell colour.
Why would it be labelled an expensive garden ornament?
I know the standard calls for dark brown eggs but I believe people think they should be as dark as Maran. They should be closer to half that shade though still med-dark brown. Not dark chocolate.