Dark Egg Breeds Thread

[mstricer]

So does anyone know why they have these spots, I get them and don't use a light. In the morning it gradually lightens in the coop. So can't understand. Not all of my Marans just a few. I got rid of one, not to long ago, because if she wasn't laying gross eggs, she was broody. 

I did some research when it was happening in my flock and found the possible causes...

1.)   Genetics...
2.)   Age... either very young or very old layers can pass blood spots.
3.)   Stress ... including sudden shocks like lights being suddenly turned on or off
4.)   Diet

Must be age they are pullets and just started laying. The diet is fine they free range and get layena plus and they have no light system in coop, just the good old sun. It only happens with my Marans.

 

[gilavina]

November 3-4, 2012 is the 128th Annual Nebraska State Poultry Show. It will be held at the Lancaster Event Center in the Amy Countryman building. Anyone wishing to participate in the Marans Egg show are encouraged to mail in entries to the Show Secretary to be included with the Marans Chicken Club state meet and egg show. Entries consist of 3 marans eggs all of the same variety and will be $5 per entry. There is no limit to the number of entries you can submit. The deadline we must receive mailed entries by will be November 1st. You can also visit www.nestatepoultryshow.com for further information and guidelines for the egg show. You can PM me with any questions you might have. I'm excited to get some exposure for the Marans in the Midwest!

 

[marquisella]

Must be age they are pullets and just started laying. The diet is fine they free range and get layena plus and they have no light system in coop, just the good old sun. It only happens with my Marans.

I've read in numerious articles that blood & meat spots are hereditary. Commercial egg companies have bred their birds to eliminate them. And, they are more common in brown egg layers. It does't affect fertility, so whether it bothers you or not, the way to eliminate it is to get rid of the hens that lay eggs with it.
In my flock, I get it all year round, whether I have lights on or during natural summer hours without lights.
Mostly in my Marans, occasionally in my Wyandottes & Sussex, but never in my leghorns, which it has been bred out.

 

[Hangtown Farms]

Hi my name is Jason.
Just saw this thread. I raise crele Penedesenca and have white empordanesa and partridge penedesenca hens.

 

[Arielle]

Hi Jason, I was just thinking about this thread two minutes, and look you brought it back to life!!

I need to set up my breeding pens for the marans and I need to make some difficult decisions. Difficult because there is no right or wrong-- just need to pick which way to follow.

Do you have pics of the eggs from your girls? Are they laying at this time?

 

[Hangtown Farms]

Hi Jason, I was just thinking about this thread two minutes, and look you brought it back to life!!

I need to set up my breeding pens for the marans and I need to make some difficult decisions. Difficult because there is no right or wrong-- just need to pick which way to follow.

Do you have pics of the eggs from your girls? Are they laying at this time?

not quite but should be soon. I had a hawk kill some of my icelandic's and my white empordanesa rooster.
so all the hens are stressed out. They are starting to act normal again so I am hoping soon.
I have some white empordanesa eggs coming next week so I will post a picture of them once they get here.

 

[Arielle]

DO you have a back up rooster??

 

[Hangtown Farms]

DO you have a back up rooster??

no but Elias my friend on here may send me one. I have eggs in the bator and more on the way as well.

 

[Arielle]

GUard those eggs well ! Great to have a friend that breeds the same. Freds HEns says he swaps birds with a friend ( think it's his brother actually) as needed.

It makes for a lot of roosters here, as I have back ups. I really need to cut back on the numbers overall. But for example, I hatched 6 cuckoo marans roosters and one pullet from Source A and 1 rooster from source B. UGH. I redued the numbers to 2 roosters and pullet from source A, and the rooster from source B. I went with my gut to keep enough genetic variety and I didn't want to loose this variety as the eggs are extremely large, the kind my egg customers will like.

Another lesson learned: heir and a spare.

Can you get to any of the big shows?? A great way to find other sources of birds more locally-- make friends with the show secretary as they know everyone.

 

[Hangtown Farms]

GUard those eggs well ! Great to have a friend that breeds the same. Freds HEns says he swaps birds with a friend ( think it's his brother actually) as needed.

It makes for a lot of roosters here, as I have back ups. I really need to cut back on the numbers overall. But for example, I hatched 6 cuckoo marans roosters and one pullet from Source A and 1 rooster from source B. UGH. I redued the numbers to 2 roosters and pullet from source A, and the rooster from source B. I went with my gut to keep enough genetic variety and I didn't want to loose this variety as the eggs are extremely large, the kind my egg customers will like.

Another lesson learned: heir and a spare.

Can you get to any of the big shows?? A great way to find other sources of birds more locally-- make friends with the show secretary as they know everyone.

yes will be attending the big stockton show next month. I want to keep a few roosters for sure.