cuckoo maran egg color

[topdog24]

It is said that breeding ALL rose combs is breeding out you fertility. Hence the reason so many are getting GLW and SLW from feed stores that have straight combs. Maybe why you are seeing some Dom with a straight comb. Not sure I would be able to tell that one apart!

Here is a good read on both breeds
https://countrysidenetwork.com/dail...chickens-the-original-heirloom-chicken-breed/

 

[topdog24]

It is said that breeding ALL rose combs is breeding out you fertility. Hence the reason so many are getting GLW and SLW from feed stores that have straight combs. Maybe why you are seeing some Dom with a straight comb. Not sure I would be able to tell that one apart!

I breed straight line SOP in all my birds, i cull and sell all non standard as layers or barn yard mix, all my flocks are bred as close to standard as possible, i do use some culls in other projects if they have good egg size and color quality's, i rarely ever see a straight comb. in my Doms anymore. I only hatch the darkest browns from my Maran's

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I only hatch the darkest browns from my Maran's

Shade variation throughout season and aging has zero to do with overall genetic potential and ability, in my opinion. In other words... a chick hatched from an early season real dark egg verses later season slightly lighter, same parents is going to have the same exact genetic potential as the other. the genetics are still the same even if the egg happened to go through the color booth slower.

Some people use this whole "darkest egg" thing... really to tell apart their younger ladies from their older ones and only hatch form their younger generation. I keep records and cull (sell or harvest) "older" gals, depending on their laying habit or what they still likely have left.

For me.. if my ladies aren't capable of laying as I expect with exception for a very occasional "lighter" one... then they have to go. I hatch from every single one of my eggs because all of my ladies ARE capable of producing the correct color on a regular basis.. If I can't hatch their egg then I have to filter through and send some for eating or make sure I didn't just happen to get a nice dark egg from my truly to light layer(even as a pullet) gal. Makes it a $0.30 really nutritious (key to hatching) egg instead of a $9 chick (for Marans). So once I've selected who stays or goes that's it for me, until the next round of hatches/cuts.

Anyways, glad to hear you aren't trying to sneak straight comb into your Dom stock. That's sneaky contracted hatchery breeder crud, not what someone who cares about the breed they raise would do. Also that you work to maintain your egg color.