Cuckoo Marans or Buff Orpingtons?

[comp6512]

Decisions, decisions...

We are getting really close to getting some chicks. Here in Florida there seems to be a few breeds popular, among them buff orpingtons and cuckoo marans, maybe because they tolerate heat better.

Which ones are better out of these two? I am looking for calm, nice chickens that would be good for both, meat and eggs. I am only looking to maintain a single breed of about 10 hens and one roo. The "not too noisy" breed wins the contest.

 

[kathyinmo]

I have both breeds. I vote for the buff orpingtons. They are so sweet and calm. I think they are much better layers also.

 

[rancher hicks]

Why not both? I have eight different breeds 3 of each and got them as chicks. They all get along even the bantam frizzles. I ordered all hens, but had to order the frizzles straight run. I got two roos and lost one to a coon. Still up until then the two frizzle roos got along fine.
My point why choose get some of both.

 

[karanleaf]

I also have both and as far as the hens go they both are calm and quite, the Roos well, I don't have a Buff Roo old enough to tell but the Cuckoo Marans Roos have a nice loud crow to them. But so do my other 4 roos. My Cuckoo Marans hens seem to lay more But they are also younger than my Buff hens. If I had to Choose .......... well I would probably go with the Buffs they are a bit heavier of a chicken. More fluff for sittin I guess. But I do love the darker brown eggs the Cuckoo's lay. Boy have you gotta hard decision to make.

Not much help am I?

Karan

 

[TammyTX]

I only have one BO and several CM. I've heard that the CM eat a lot but I can't tell the difference with only one BO.

The BO is quite and the CM's honk like geese.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

We raise both here and they are both calm and laid back chickens. I would say the CM's lay better than the buffs and the CM's are much much better table birds.

On thing I did notice yesterday when I was feeding is at 96 degrees the cuckoo's were panting and the buffs weren't. So for heat tolerance I would go with Buffs.

Steve in NC

 

[chicky gal1]

I love my buffs!!!!!!! Friendliest chickens around!

 

[comp6512]

Thank you all for great insight.

BO have won the vote.

Chicks and pics are coming !!!

 

[goldnchocolate]

I love my buff's but they are the ones that I worry about the most when it gets really hot here during the summer. They have a really hard time with the heat, although they do alright during the day when they can find a shady place to sit but at night, while in the coop, they have a hard time, even though I have a large fan bringing in the cool night air.

 

[LaSombra]

why buff? Why not other colors? I have a blue orpington and she's turning out to be very pretty

The feathers are SO soft, too