Marans Vs Buckeyes

[FFAChickenFan]

So i'm looking for the breed of bird that I'm going to fill up the bulk of my flock with. They'll be for eggs and eventually meat, and need to be cold hardy since I live in the pacific northwest. I'm thinking either Maran or Buckeye. What is everyones opinion?

If theres another breed you suggest, please comment below! I'd love to get every opinion!

 

[ramirezframing]

my parents marans are pretty good birds. They lay pretty well for a few years and get to be a good sized bird. They also have a pretty good temperament

 

[JoshU]

Buckeyes are the perfect cold hearty dual purpose breed. I would go with them over marans any day. If you have any questions on buckeyes, let me know. I have a lot of info on the breed and can direct you where to find an answer to any question you may have on them.

 

[FFAChickenFan]

Well, thank you for your offer! Since you seem to have a strong opinion favoring Buckeyes, is there anything you think I should know about the breed before deciding to stock my flock with them?

 

[Mr farmer]

Get barred rocks, they are cold hardy, lay lots of eggs and great meat birds.

 

[Canieldonrad]

So I might be biased, especially so because I have had Buckeyes and not Marans.


Buckeyes are a lot of fun to have around, and produce pretty well. Males and Females both are very comfortable around people even when given little interaction. They do very well in both Summer and Winter. There are several programs setting up breeding for Buckeyes as it was a breed that was near its end not too long ago They do need a lot of work to dig out of the hole they were in. Marans are more of an up and coming breed in the US, and have a lot of interest right now due to this.

If you care about looks, nothing beats a Buckeye Cock. They have an interesting look about them, relaxed but alert at the same time. Commanding but confrontable. They show really well(in my opinion) due to this, they are a stand out bird with a lot of character.


-Link in signature if you want to find someone who can get you some stock, we also have a facebook group that is pretty active.

 

[FFAChickenFan]

Thank you! I really appreciate the information, from all of you

 

[Canieldonrad]

Also, the chicks are balls of fire. A lot more active than chicks from any breed I have ever encountered.

 

[teckelhut]

I have had Marans and now have Buckeyes. I prefer the Buckeyes.

 

[rbrink21]

I have both Buckeyes and Marans (Blue Copper and Black Copper). My Buckeyes are really consistent layers, are very friendly and really hardy. Bonus is they hunt and kill rodents. My Marans are pretty much the opposite and I plan on culling my 18 month old birds soon because they don't produce enough eggs to be worth it any longer. As pretty and as large as their eggs are, I won't be raising them again.