I have a black copper maran hen that is an excellent layer. She lays almost everyday. Which i LOVE. But the egg color isn't where it should be.
I am wondering if there are any breeders here in Michigan (Kalamazoo area - Grand Rapids area) that are breeding marans that have the proper egg darkness and that are also really good layers too. I don't care if the appearance of the hen is up to standard. I'm just concerned with the egg color and the frequency of eggs laid.
I'd be interested in buying 1 or 2 day old pullets and sneaking them under my broody hen at night.
Could be any variety of maran like black copper maran, blue, splash or Wheaton.
Part of the reason you are getting light eggs is she lays everyday. Dark egg layers take longer to coat the egg so they might lay once every 2 to 3 days. No having said that I have a pullet laying a pretty dark egg and she is layi g almost everyday. I would not expect a dark egg layer to lay more the 4 or 5 times a week.