French Copper Marans chocolate brown eggs?

[Foxinthehenhouse]

My FCMs are about nine months old and lay very well but my problem is that the eggs are getting progressively lighter in color. They’re never been a dark brown and are now light brown. I feed them Purina Layer pellets and they get plenty of forage material. What’s up?

 

[floppysquirrel04]

That doesn’t seem too abnormal, could be poor genetics. Do they have oyster shell?

 

[Foxinthehenhouse]

Yes, grit also. The feed is supposed to have oyster shells init as well. I got the chicks from Hoover’s.

 

[floppysquirrel04]

They’re hatchery quality. Because hatcheries are always in such high demand for chicks, their birds aren’t always going to be top quality. They don’t have the resources to breed specifically for certain traits because of the amount they have to produce. That’s why the eggs aren’t as dark as they would be if they were from a breeder who bred for the dark eggs. I’m sure they’re still great girls tho

 

[Wetmorechick]

This exact same thing has been my experience as well - started out dark and then lightened up as time went on. From what I read on the internet - sounds like genetics is probably the culprit.

 

[keesmom]

Perfectly normal. The darkest eggs always occur at the beginning of the laying cycle and eggs get lighter as the season progresses.

 

[Foxinthehenhouse]

They’re hatchery quality. Because hatcheries are always in such high demand for chicks, their birds aren’t always going to be top quality. They don’t have the resources to breed specifically for certain traits because of the amount they have to produce. That’s why the eggs aren’t as dark as they would be if they were from a breeder who bred for the dark eggs. I’m sure they’re still great girls tho

Where could I get chicks from?

 

[Rocky1028]

Where could I get chicks from?

Seeing that you're in NC (hey neighbor!), there's a place in Hillsborough, Dragonfly farms. I haven't gotten any birds from her but friends of mine are very happy with their Marans.

 

[Foxinthehenhouse]

Where could I get chicks from?

I’ll check in it! Thanks for the info!
Happy Easter! Stay well.

 

[Rocky1028]

Same to you!