I would take some pictures now, but its flooding here, hurricanes hit Louisiana one way of the other. If it cant reach us by the Gulf its going to cross Mexico to get to us......Cant win for losing, anyway the photos would not be too good. But I will definitely take pictures of the new arrivals. Sorry to hear about your rooster, I keep two to three of each breed too I have. None fight, there is definite pecking order here they all abide by. I have the king, he is a Black Maran, with a little coppering, no other color bleeding. He's the king, everyone listens to him. I recently brought in a new BCM who though he'd jump up and try to spur me, the Black Marna, ran clear across the yard and put one heck of a whipping on him. I left him out for the whole crew to gang up on him and to teach him a lesson, they did. He tucked his head in a corner and I haven't had a problem since. I see why they got rid of him. He's show quality, but a devil. He waits till you turn your back. He hit my son once, my husband once, then me. That was all it took. I have 11 Roosters out on the yard. The rest are in pens. Everyone here wants Easter eggers or olive eggers...so that's what I am breeding right now. About to shut it down for the winter thought. But back on note, I never had a problem with my Marsh Daisy Roosters and the other breeds fighting they all ran together when I wasn't breeding. Maybe I am lucky, some cant believe I don't have issues, but its the truth.
The Marsh Daisy's I may leave them to keep breeding throughout the year to my Wheaten Marans to produce an entirely separate flock. There laying almost every day, I am averaging 5-7 eggs a week.. I love the rose comb and how hardy they are. I found the Marsh Daisy's are not bothered by drastic climate change in my area, 90 deg days and 20 deg nights in the winter, and 105 degree days, and 95 degree nights in the summer. Its always hot and sticky. My other breeds are affected by the climate change when the Marsh Daisy's are not. They thrive in this weather...
I love the marans but they are sensitive to climate change and here its drastic from one season to the next. A good cross could produce larger, darker eggs for a more climate tolerant bird. That is my hope anyway, If it fails, like you there are many here to take the culls....If the Marsh Daisy does as well as it had in Lancaster, England, then they will thrive here. The climate is about the same.
I would love to swap birds or eggs with you as soon as I can bring up another rooster or find one grown. I know GFF is the only farm importing them. So versatility in blood is hart to achieve. I figure Ii would take a shot at Line Breeding, it will take at least 3 years to develope three or four unrelated flocks. Like you its not the money to sell the eggs or birds, its the joy of the bird. They do really well here where I am, hot humid summers, cold wet winters, nothing phases them. I lost my roosters to Owls. I use to let them perch in the old oaks in my yard. Now everyone comes in at dark. I feed late to make sure everyone comes in when they are free ranging.
Along with the Marsh Daisy's I keep one pen of each; White Rocks, LF Dark Cornish, White Leg Horns Ayam Cermani, Easter Eggers, Ameraucana, Araucana, Cream Leg Bars, Cuckoo Marans, Black Copper Marans, Blue/Black/Splash Marans (not perfect yet), Wheaten Marans, Black Tailed Buff Marans, Gold Laced Wyandotte, Blue Laced Red Wyandotte, Chocolate, Buff and Gold Laced Back Orpingtons.
I am slowly letting the breeds that aren't doing well in this clmate go to homes further north. eventually Ill have nothing left but my EE, OE, Marsh Daisy's, WR, LFDC, WLH, CLB, BTBM, WM, and BCM. That's more than enough to keep me busy....
I do have Lavender and Black Orpingtons, but they are going to their new homes as soon and the new owners are finished with their coops. As well as the Buff Orphingtons wil go to a new home hopefully before spring.I think I am going to let a few of my flocks go; the Cuckoo Marans, the Gold Laced and Blue Laced Wyandotte to focus on my Marsh Daisy and my feather legged Marans. I do not like the color of the Cuckoo Eggs they are too light. but they are good layers!
The EE/OE I love so they stay....Everyone loves the olive green eggs...