cuckoo maran or welsummer?

[college town chick]

I'm getting my order together and am wondering about adding one of these to my intended flock.

I decided to just order chicks from Ideal to start out.

Which would be better for my situation?

would need to stand confinement well and be hardy,economical
have good, consistent egg production

friendly, or at least easily handled, relatively quiet and not prone to flying(I've got neighbors) disposition, not bird aggressive (I'm getting a mixed flock)

 

[CountryMom]

I have had one of each from Ideal. Both very sweet hens and both fine with confinement - but then I free range during the day. We unfortunately lost the Wellie to a coon attack. Both were really great pets for my kids. My 7yr old son was heartbroken when his Wellie died.

The only thing I can tell you that will make a difference in Ideal hatchery stock verses breeder stock is that the eggs are not nearly as dark from Ideal. Both of them laid a darker egg than the other brown layers I have (BO, RIR, Red Star, Black Star) But not nearly as dark as breeders have.

The Marans eggs are all the in thing right now and very pricey. Not saying that is bad, but then I have seen Welsummer eggs just as dark and beautiful more reasonable.

 

[college town chick]

I'm going with a hatchery this time around because I'm new to chickens and just want to have a little backyard flock for starters. The k.i.s.s. principle is the one I probably should follow, as when it comes to chickens I definitely define the last "s" there.

I'm not too concerned about having a to standard perfect bird -- not right now at least. If one of my kids gets into 4-H and wants to do chickens, then I'll probably do eggs to incubate and go with a breeder.

That's another reason for getting a mixed flock -- to find out which birds we like the most and will most likely work best for us.

So, I'm guessing it comes down to which one is the cheapest price then? Or maybe I should get one of both -- oh this site really does bring on the temptation!

 

[CountryMom]

Hey no problem there. I started that way this past year also. I am going to still hang onto some of my Ideal stock as they are just sweet birds - and laying machines. It was a great way to figure out what we all liked and what we didn't. I don't show either.

Ideal ships pretty fast once the chicks are born. They are also good about standing behind their chicks. So if something goes wrong, just contact them and they refund.

 

[coloradochick]

CountryMom,
Just curious, which birds from Ideal are your laying machines? We're getting ready to order some layers and I'm getting confused between just the regular RIR, NHR, BR or to go to something more like a Red Sexlink or even to go order from Cackle and get the Cinnamon Queens..

TOO MANY CHOICES!! Help..

 

[CountryMom]

We have two leghorns that lay large white eggs every day - one each. We have RIR, Buff Orps, one Barred Rock (really like her) and a few sex links - reds and blacks. The sexlinks are my least favorite as they have always been the kind to pick at others. I also have to say that our three EE's from them (Ameracauna if I spelled that right) are wonderful layers of blue/green eggs daily. Those three hens are super sweet, but the roo is a bit testy. Not to people, just to other roos.

My one and only remaining Cuckoo Marans hen from Ideal is a doll really. She begs for treats and will jump up to catch whatever you offer. She also lays an egg daily. The only ones that are not so regular are the silkies. However, that is another story. They are broody and super super cute. Never mean on the nest so far, but we haven't allowed them to sit either.

edited to add that Ideal's RIR are production RIR. That means they are bred to lay eggs. From pictures I have seen they are lighter in color than the true RIR which is deep deep red. Don't get me wrong mine are pretty red. They really are a good choice for eggs.

 

[coloradochick]

So you'd probably recommend to just go with the Ideal RIR and not the Sexlinks? I've got 2 RIR from MCMurray that are almost a year old. They're pretty small, good girls, and they lay pretty regularly. But you always hear what good layers the S-links are so I'm trying to figure out which to get. Are your leghorns jsut the plain white and are they really flighty? Thanks for the info.

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

I had Marans from Ideal this past year. Mine were not all that sweet despite being raised just like my others, they all seemed very aloof and wanted nothing to do with us.
The eggs are not dark either. If I wanted really nice Marans I would go with a breeder. If you just want a starter backyard flock then by all means, go ahead and try them. You can always sell them in the end if you don't like them.

 

[Katy]

I've had both Marans and Welsummers for several years and the welsummers are more consistant layers. The Marans (at least mine) go broody a lot after their first year. The Marans are probably a little more laid back, but not much.

 

[CountryMom]

Quote:
My Ideal RIR are large fluffy birds. They are actually bigger than their Buff Orps. My sex links are skinny. The Leghorns are flighty yes. I have one that is the Ideal 236 I believe. She has a few black spots. They are NOT pet birds, but they are not mean. They are actually the comic clowns of our bunch. Always into something and always making us laugh.


Pine- I only have the one so far. I bought her from a lady who was selling out her Ideal stock and egg business. She loved the Marans, but not the Barred Rocks. But then she raved about the Welsummers. Wish I had bought her entire Welsummer flock really. That one was so so sweet.