Dark Egg Breeds Thread

[dekel18042]

Marans have a POOR lay rate, and POOR feed to egg ratio... they are fluffy and sweet and slow

X2. I love my marans. They are beautiful and sweet, and their dark eggs look terrific in the egg boxes, but my welsumers, also, sweet, ,lay eggs that I need to compare individually to marans to tell which is which, then the marans' appear slightly darker. But the welsumer are better layers.

 

[cressrb]

In my situation the Welsummer couldn't compare with the Marans, in egg color or amount of eggs. But, then my Welsummer was a hatchery chick and
my Marans were from a breeder. At age four, the Marans are still layi8ng. I will see if I can attach a pic of my eggs.

 

[cressrb]

Wow, I need to change the font to a size I can see to correct mistakes! This is a little better.

 

[Alaskan]

Wow, I need to change the font to a size I can see to correct mistakes! This is a little better.

super pretty eggs.

which breeder did you get them from??

 

[cressrb]

I believe it is now called QDC Poultry in Paul, Idaho. Her name is Michelle. Easy to deal with and beautiful birds.

 

[Hangtown Farms]

In my situation the Welsummer couldn't compare with the Marans, in egg color or amount of eggs. But, then my Welsummer was a hatchery chick and
my Marans were from a breeder. At age four, the Marans are still layi8ng. I will see if I can attach a pic of my eggs.

nice color. I live the reddish tint

 

[berkeleysprings]

My wheaten marans are still on winter vacation I'm still keeping around 10/12 hens 3 roo. My mixed flock have turned into a egg eater Tried filling eggs with mustard to deture but they loved it shell and all. Any thoughts ?

 

[ronott1]

My wheaten marans are still on winter vacation I'm still keeping around 10/12 hens 3 roo. My mixed flock have turned into a egg eater Tried filling eggs with mustard to deture but they loved it shell and all. Any thoughts ?

Yes, I have ideas!

Since they are on the winter break:

Worm them with valbazen
Thoroughly clean and treat the coops, nest boxes and etc. for mites
Dust them twice, 10 days apart

They should have free choice calcium
Give them a vitamin supplement and or calf manna

Look into the nest box situation. Darkening with a curtain or shade cloth, turning them a different direction and etc. may help. Add several golf balls to the nest box.

Add an extra feeder--the lowest hen might be being blocked from eating and is under nourished.

Consider changing the nest box to a different style too.

Egg eating usually happens because an egg breaks--it is normal behavior and is often short lived. I just went through a month of it with the Partridge Penes.

 

[berkeleysprings]

well thank you for your advice I've switched the next boxes around they have a boatload of calciumand they are better than well fed their spoiledwe constantly spray for mites with promethiumand normally warm them in the offseasonthey have a very large enclosed outdoor areaI have switched enough boxes around in boxes are located in a dark area

 

[ronott1]

well thank you for your advice I've switched the next boxes around they have a boatload of calciumand they are better than well fed their spoiledwe constantly spray for mites with promethiumand normally warm them in the offseasonthey have a very large enclosed outdoor areaI have switched enough boxes around in boxes are located in a dark area

I hope they stop eating the eggs soon!

They usually do stop. My Penedesencas have not eaten one is two weeks now.