Dark brown eggs

[jwg423]

Hi everyone, I am looking into getting a dark brown egg chicken.
I am adding them to a flock of EE's and Orpingtons.
Just wondering what are everyones opinions on Welsummers vs. Cuckoo Marans I can only choose to get one and I am leaning more toward The marans but I am interested in opinions from folks who already have these.
What kind would you chose if you could only chose one kind?

 

[Debbi]

If you are buying hatchery stock, don't count on the Cuckoo Marans' eggs being very dark. Buy from a Marans breeder for your best shot at the dark eggs. Black Copper Marans lay the darkest egg of all. Check the BYC auctions, or come to the Marans threads to find some breeders in your area, or those that sell hatching eggs.

 

[jwg423]

Thanks, I think I have decided to get the Welsummer for now, and next year once I get soome practice in and learn how to properly use my incubator, I will try to purchase some Black Copper Maran eggs from a breeder

Thanks for your response, it did help me make a decision

 

[jadeybaby70]

Oh yeah!!!! Go with the Wellies. I have two of them and they ARE hatchery stock (like many of my original flock) BUT they still lay beautiful, BIG, dark drown (sometimes speckled) eggs almost every day. In fact it is rare that I don't get an egg from both of them every day! They are sweet big birds although mine tend to think they are the alphas of the flock. Best of luck!!

 

[jwg423]

Quote:
Thank you! I emailed my favorite hatchery and asked a few questions today and she told me that her Welsummers lay speckled eggs and my mind went OOOOHHH speckles LOL
she did also mention that yes hatchery chickens may not lay as dark of an egg that one may be expecting because breeders only hatch the darkest of eggs and hatcheries hatch eggs that may not be as dark but darker than the norm.
I was wondering what egg production rate and size I could expect from these chickens so thank you...

Today my BF asks me what I am going to do with all of these eggs, hehe I am an addict! every time he orders his meaties I order more eggers

I cannot help it I like pretty eggs

 

[becky3086]

I always loved the welsummers that I had mainly because they had such mild temperments and they were such big pretty birds.