Hens and Roos
The Marans go by a color chart, available from the Marans clubs. The chart depicts the colors 1 - 9, one being the lightest color (white like a Leghorn), and nine being the darkest brown (Marans). The Marans breed is not considered a Marans unless it can lay at LEAST a number four egg. So, to even qualify within the breed, the eggs must be at least a 4, preferably darker, ideal/perfect being a 9. Your egg there looks to be a 4, maybe. Hatchery Cuckoos tend not to be as dark as they can be from a breeder who has worked to get the egg color darker. Black Copper Marans tend to lay the darkest eggs.
The Marans go by a color chart, available from the Marans clubs. The chart depicts the colors 1 - 9, one being the lightest color (white like a Leghorn), and nine being the darkest brown (Marans). The Marans breed is not considered a Marans unless it can lay at LEAST a number four egg. So, to even qualify within the breed, the eggs must be at least a 4, preferably darker, ideal/perfect being a 9. Your egg there looks to be a 4, maybe. Hatchery Cuckoos tend not to be as dark as they can be from a breeder who has worked to get the egg color darker. Black Copper Marans tend to lay the darkest eggs.
