Maran or easter egger?

[diamondsilkies]

The other day I had some time to kill, so I went to the Ace nearby, which just happened to be the one that has baby chicks this time of year. I've been wanting some colorful egg layers, and I usually get a few chicks this time of year for egg laying. It turns out the breeds I'm most interested in are coming in next weekend, so I'm going back.

I'm planning on getting four, one blue laced red wyandotte, one maran, and one easter egger. The question is, what about the fourth chick? I want a second of either the easter egger or maran, but I don't know which. Which one is usually the better layer? I've had easter eggers and ameraucanas in the past, and I love them, but I already have a blue egg layer (my cream legbar, who I got last year at this same time) and I wanted to know a little bit more about marans. Thanks for any input you may have!

 

[Hopperkiller]

I had both and the maran laid an average of 1 more egg a week. I was intrigued by the marans dark eggs which did get lighter as time went on. Good luck!

 

[diamondsilkies]

Thank you! I have mostly little bantams that don't lay super well, so I get these guys so I don't have to buy eggs. I'll probably go with 2 easter eggers, but I wanted to hear a little bit about the marans before making my decision.

 

[Hopperkiller]

Thank you! I have mostly little bantams that don't lay super well, so I get these guys so I don't have to be easter eggers. uy eggs. I'll probably go with 2 easter eggers, but I wanted to hear a little bit about the marans before making my decision.

With the bantams i would go with the easter eggers because they are medium sized birds. All of my black copper marans were very large birds and ruled the flock. My easter eggers avoided the marans and RIR's because they were smaller but were older. Easter eggers were tops till the others matuered.

 

[Conan]

I have mostly bantams (mottled cochins) and I picked up two easter eggers and two speckled sussex chicks to add to the flock. Hoping for a smooth transition!
My mom had a maran hen that she just loved. She was much nicer and friendlier than the barred rocks and the eggs really are a beautiful deep chocolate brown. Very unique. Though I tend to agree with your, and others, opinions - Easter eggers are awesome and I have not encountered a nasty one yet

 

[diamondsilkies]

Thanks for all the input!
I went back today, and the hatchery hadn't been able to fill their order for the blue laced red wyandottes, and he was sold out of marans. However, he is getting some more blue splash marans next Tuesday, so I decided to go back to get the marans then.

However, I did want to get the easter eggers while I could, so I bought two of them. He also recommended Welsummers for nice dark brown eggs, but only had one, which happened to have some leg issue. He offered her to me for free, and I couldn't say no, so I headed home with my two easter eggers and my new, unexpected Welsummer. I'll get two of the splash marans on Tuesday to join them. Guess we'll see how this goes!