Dark egg breeds...

[amazondoc]

In the Marans, so far I only have experience with one group of wheaten pullets. They are, shall we say, the wimps of the flock. They are already bigger than most of the other birds, but they can be bullied by anybody. I don't much like their personalities.

OTOH, many people say that their Marans are the sweetest and friendliest birds they have. So, YMMV. I'm hoping that raising my own (I've got eggs in the bator) will make a big difference.

As for Wellies, I love em. Mine are not lap chickens, but they are calm and sensible. The Wellie roo roosts with a bantam roo I've got, and is being nice to young barnie cockerels. My previous Wellie roo was also calm and sensible. IMHO they're a very good breed on all counts -- appearance, personality, egg color, AND egg production.

 

[hcammack]

Quote:
sounds like we are in the same situation I got my whole flock for different color eggs. I have both Marans in cuckoo, blue copper, and black copper I also have welsummers. My Marans I raised from day olds are the friendliest. The blue copper is a snuggle bug and the black coppers are to. My cuckoo's are also very friendly. My wellies and blue and black coppers have not started laying yet so I don't know about their egg color in comparison to the cuckoo's. Good luck with your search for dark layer I love mine. My welsummers like amazondoc's are not snuggly but are sensible chickens that are beautiful. I really like mine also.

Henry

 

[HorseFeathers]

Welsummers!

 

[Selena]

Quote:
One of my girls is named Phoebe too. It's because I got her for free and it rhymed with "Freebie" which is what we were calling her until we knew she'd make it. She had a hole in her head, but I fixed her up and she's my best layer!

Yeah. Welsummers are a must. I'm probably getting a trio that Tailfeathers offered to me. However I must start my new job first! (Feb 9th can't get here fast enough!)

Y'know, I'm really liking the looks of the Wheatens roos. I don't mind them being "sissies" as I can put them in a separate pen from the other breeds. GAH! What am I doing talking about roosters when I'm wanting eggs?! Besides, I already have 6 mixed roosters! But DH loves them, and so too our neighbors. And I know he'd like the looks of them too... *doing some quick excuse makings in her head to get away with another roo or two...*

I think chickens are almost more addictive than chocolate!

 

[Laskaland]

Quote:
I agree, Ed! I like the darker Wellies
Christina