I got one pullet last year (sold the other four), and four this year (and one cockerel). I was obviously happy enough with the one from last year that I ordered them again and didn't sell them. I'll try to remember to take some pictures.
Of the five pullets/hen I have, all but one is melanistic. However, I did say they could substitute Black Marans for the Black Copper, and I think I may have gotten one or two Black (they're 20ish weeks). The hen from last year has nice enough egg color for me; certainly not an eight but friends are usually wowed by the dark eggs. I've seen some of the pullets in the nest boxes, but not sitting and I haven't found any eggs that would even pass for light pullet eggs. So I can't comment if the egg color is consistent. I've also had some Cuckoo Marans from Cackle, I have one left--her eggs aren't that much lighter than the BCM, and mid-way through laying cycles I can't tell them apart.
I'll probably order them again next year.
