Marans Egg colour - breeding dark egg layers

[MaransUK]

Hi all

Earlier in the year I bred a black copper cockerel to a splash hen and produced two pullets laying the darkest eggs I’ve had yet so I’m over the moon. However I quite like the splash hen and I’d like to produce some more splash offspring by pairing her with a blue copper cockerel. Here’s my question…

Does it make any difference to the offspring if they aren’t hatched from a dark egg? Her egg colour has faded quite a bit from the spring and I don’t actually know how old she is as I got her as a rescue 2 years ago

I’d assume the genetics are the same but could be totally wrong

Thanks in advance

 

[wrathsfarm]

If she lays dark eggs at the beginning of her cycle that's her color. It will lighten up further into that cycle, that's normal as they run out of spray in the booth.

 

[SourRoses]

Welcome!
I haven't had Marans... but from what I've heard, it's a two part issue:

- Their eggs lighten as the laying season progresses, with the first eggs being the darkest. A really productive hen may wind up with very light ones.

- Some lines (thus whole colors) have less dark egg genes than others. So a hen that lays pale eggs may have those genetics. What color were her eggs this spring?

But, the current shade of the egg has no effect on the developing chick.

Also, the roosters genes could have influenced the color your pullets are laying.

 

[wrathsfarm]

And here's a handy guide I have for breeding colors in case you need it.

And another fyi.. we have a super great Marans thread located here that has tons of awesome members world wide with massive amounts of knowledge to share with not just BCMs but all Marans varieties.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-thread-breeding-to-the-sop.1122465/page-2460

 

[MaransUK]

Welcome!
I haven't had Marans... but from what I've heard, it's a two part issue:

- Their eggs lighten as the laying season progresses, with the first eggs being the darkest. A really productive hen may wind up with very light ones.

- Some lines (thus whole colors) have less dark egg genes than others. So a hen that lays pale eggs may have those genetics. What color were her eggs this spring?

But, the current shade of the egg has no effect on the developing chick.

Also, the roosters genes could have influenced the color your pullets are laying.

Thanks for your reply, she lays a dark egg. Not quite as dark as her offspring, so as you say she generally has a lay off over winter and when she starts again in the spring they’re always dark.

I have a couple of options regarding a rooster, both are sons of the original black copper, one is her offspring and sibling to the dark egg laying pullets and the other is from a blue copper hen

 

[MaransUK]

View attachment 3946516

And here's a handy guide I have for breeding colors in case you need it.

And another fyi.. we have a super great Marans thread located here that has tons of awesome members world wide with massive amounts of knowledge to share with not just BCMs but all Marans varieties.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-thread-breeding-to-the-sop.1122465/page-2460

Thanks for your reply I’ll check it out!