Marans breeding

[Poultrybonkers]

Is it possible to breed dark eggs from hatchery quality birds over time? If you just keep hatching the darkest eggs?

 

[wrathsfarm]

My eggs are getting darker every generation.

As long as you have a confirmed rooster with dark egg gene.

 

[wrathsfarm]

I started 5 years ago with 5 hatchery. 3 females/2 males. I was fortunate to get one real nice dark layer (Joannie) and both Roosters had dark egg gene.

I now have over 20 BCMs and still a closed flock, no new genetics brought in yet.
This is an F3 (Joannie's Granddaughter) and I've got 5 of her F4s at 16 weeks I'm waiting on yet for egg color.

 

[MountainWoman73]

Yes, you can, but it takes a while. I paid good money for some dark hatching eggs to make sure I got a rooster with dark egg genes. I have gotten marans from farm stores that lay both light and dark eggs. I choose the darker ones for hatching. I have 5 marans hens right now, and they lay a variety of colors.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Yes, you can, but it takes a while. I paid good money for some dark hatching eggs to make sure I got a rooster with dark egg genes. I have gotten marans from farm stores that lay both light and dark eggs. I choose the darker ones for hatching. I have 5 marans hens right now, and they lay a variety of colors.
View attachment 4281835

Beautiful colors.