the first chicks I hatched out 3-29-2010 are a cross marans (cuckoo cross Black coppermarans) Are layer now. They would lay a egg and then quit or hide a egg. last month. They free range so note sure. Now they are using the nest box. So around 7 months... I fine my marans only lay a few eggs and get broody. Especially the cuckoos. How about your marans.
People are saying why would you cross the two colors. The cuckoo marans hen I got for a Breeder here in California the egges had horrible color, not much darker than a rhode island red egg. So I had a BCM from a very dark line of egg layers. I knew the chicks would be easy to sex because the pullets would be black roos would be barred. To make a long story short the hens are laying beautiful dark brown eggs, two to three shade darker than there moms. will cross them back to there father to see if I can get even darker eggs,
PS Also cross the same roo in to 1 EE hen (blue egg layer) her pullets had not started laying or they have a brown not sure which way. All her pullets look just like her.
PSS I dont show birds and have no want to show chickens just like the pretty eggs