Maran's for the flock ? ?

[NS2A]

I'm ordering chicks in the next few weeks and so far, here's what I think we're going to get:

5 Buff Orps hens (because we already have 3 that are a year old and really like them)

5 Maran hens - my daughter likes the dark egg color

5 Ameracuana hens - again, my daughter thinks the colored eggs are cool.

10-20 Cornish X (straight run) for meat

Are the Maran's good, friendly birds? Or is there a better dark reddish brown colored layer? I know from the hatchery the color may not be the darkest though.

I really like the Buffs, and would just like to stick with what works, but the kids want a few different ones for the flock. I'd prefer something fairly tame, and fairly easy for the kids to handle. We had a flock of bantams, and well, they didn't work for younger kids.

Any help/suggestions are appreciated.

 

[greyfields]

All my Marans have just reached POL. I'd say they fit in my flock fine. They stand out in no way, except for egg color. They're actually a bit non-descript, if that could even be a criticism.

 

[ginasmarans]

My marans are calm friendly birds. They get along with the other hens,but aren't so timid that they get pushed around.