- Jan 21, 2015
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It's my understanding that the Marans egg color shouldn't be judged until the hen had laid for at least a month. At least by French standards.
From personal experience too. I have seen hens who lay light colored eggs at onset. Lay darker later on. And visa versa. And if it's her first laying season. Oh heck yeah, wait and see. I have had some of my pullets lay the worst colored eggs when they start. But give them a few weeks and they get darker.
It's genetic and hatchery stock will most likely never be great at laying dark "Marans-like" colored eggs. I personally think you have to look at the over all bird and it's other traits. Before you decide if you want to use it for breeding.
Besides, look on the bright side. You can always make cookies with them and share those with family and friends. Recycle the shells back to the birds or in your garden. That's what I do.
So don't feel bad. In all reality none of us have perfect birds.
From personal experience too. I have seen hens who lay light colored eggs at onset. Lay darker later on. And visa versa. And if it's her first laying season. Oh heck yeah, wait and see. I have had some of my pullets lay the worst colored eggs when they start. But give them a few weeks and they get darker.
It's genetic and hatchery stock will most likely never be great at laying dark "Marans-like" colored eggs. I personally think you have to look at the over all bird and it's other traits. Before you decide if you want to use it for breeding.
Besides, look on the bright side. You can always make cookies with them and share those with family and friends. Recycle the shells back to the birds or in your garden. That's what I do.
