Greetings from NC!

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I don't know what hatchery Pittsboro Feed orders from but I'm fairly sure it's a different one as I have noticed the chicks seem stockier at Pittsboro.
 
Oh! You may notice my avatar pic is a welsummer chick which I got from Town and Country last year who the hatchery had sexed to be a cockerel but he never did crow and started laying beautiful eggs in late fall last year. Thor is one of my favorite hens by far, and I am glad "he" turned out to not be a roo. (I'm hatching French Black Copper Marans eggs this year and planning to keep one cockerel for reproductive purposes within the flock)
 
Thanks for the info, keep in touch. I was looking as Marans also to add to the flock at some point. I think the roosters are beautiful and the large dark eggs are unique also. How long has Thor been laying?
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We have a Chuck in our flock, one of the Orpingtons that grew bug and fast and I thought it was a male, but doesn't look like it now.
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There is also a BYC group on Facebook that you may be interested in. Thanks again.
 
Yes, I also hear Marans roosters are friendly and take care of their ladies well!
Thor has been laying for about 7 months now, I think. She was really steady in the winter and has continued to lay a average of 4 eggs a week. Very nice dark brown eggs. :) a close second to Marans, I'd venture to say.
Some chickens can be tricky little buggers to tell apart when they're growing up!
 
I've heard that the Marans are very difficult and you usually have to just wait it out till the comb and waddles start to grow in. I've had good luck sexing the Wellsumer based on the coloration on the back, head, and the "eyeliner". But there are always those that don't like to follow the patern.

How old was Thor when she started laying. I've heard that they generally start a bit later. I'm expecting most of my others to start about 19 weeks, but don't know what to plan on the Welsummers. I think the fact that summer is almost in full swing and the days are long will help. Shoot me some pics of you eggs if you get a chance, so I can get an idea of what to expect.
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I trusted the hatchery (which I've since learned NEVER to do, haha) and didn't question Thor's gender right up to the point she started laying eggs right around 8 months. My silkie also started laying eggs around 8 or 9 months.
Welsummers are great birds and I know now that her salmon colored breast would've been a dead giveaway to an experienced flock master. ;)
I just assumed his growth was somehow stunted or maybe he was a runt bird because he hasn't crowed not had his roo feathers grown in yet. Haha. But it was a nice surprise to find her eggs in the nesting box. I thought it was from my Cuckoo Marans rescue hen at first but after hanging out in the coop a few days, I found that my CM lays incredibly light eggs with white speckles. Go figure.
I'll take some pics when I get home from work. :)
 
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Thor's eggs were a bit darker than this when she first started laying and I expect them to be dark again after she moults in autumn.
In the background, the light egg pictured is from my Cuckoo Marans hen. I honestly wonder if she really is a Cuckoo Marans, or purebred anyway. I love her eggs though. :)
 
That looks textbook perfect! Terra cotta color with some speckles. I've heard they change colors lighter and darker ar different times and depending on several other factors. If I can get mine to look that good ill be happy.

I agree, looks like your Maran may be a mix. I read an article the other day that said a lot of farms cross breed them to make the pullet chicks easier to identify. In any case, it is unique and she's keeping you supplied.
 
They do change color even within a few days from lighter to darker and vice versa! And the speckles sometimes are heavier or non existent. Love 'em. :) I want more eggs like them but Thor is so special I don't want to get more Welsummers and not know which one she is anymore! Haha!

That's very interesting. Very likely my Marans has a backstory like that since I found her at a flock swap practically being given away by a military family who were moving. She was probably 1 year old when I got her and nearing 2 now but has still been giving me 5-6 eggs a week in peak season.
I bet she was crossed with a Barred Rock either on purpose or accident.
 

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