Ok, so much hype about Marans and Welsummers..pick one

[Portia]

Don't know about Marans, but I have 2 Welsummers that are consistent layers of beautiful brown eggs. All of my hens lay brown eggs, but the Welsummers have a nice rich color...not what the copper maran can offer, so I hear, but captivating enough. They are curious, independent birds that will come up and see what you are doing if they get the chance. I can't say that this personality lends itself to being high in the heirarchical chain, but with free range it doesn't seem to matter. They are happy birds that forage with the best of them and are entertaining and social with people. We don't handle our birds much, though, and the Welsummers seem to prefer this, as they will fly backwards when they see a hand coming their way. Still, a bit of delectible treat will bring them forth with the best of them.

 

[karanleaf]

I can only speak of the Marans as I don't have Welsummers. My (16) Cuckoo Marans are about 12 weeks old and I have nicknamed them Chickypigs as they do eat sorta heavy. I am now filling their 3 quart jar feeders 2 times a day. But they seem to be easier to handle than my older Buff Orps. They weren't that expensive $ 3.50 a piece as day old chicks. We are looking forward to finding darker brown eggs in the next couple of months. But they haven't started singing like my RIR hen Penny. She's my favorite. All my hens lay brown eggs some light some medium brown and some with darker brown speckles. Good luck.

 

[Jarhead]

What about Barnvelders? They are dark egg layers.

 

[CA Bean]

Oh my goodness..I already feel like I am up to my eyeballs in chickies but ok since you all said it. I guess I will have to try for both. I guess I would always be guessing anyhow if I didn't atleast try.
Sounds like Maran's have more personality?

 

[tfpets]

Quote:
I have both and I think Marans have a friendlier disposition, the Welsummers are very pretty and lay nice eggs, they just dont like to be touched or treated like pets. They still come for treats, etc....My cuckoo marans rooster is a regal sweetheart, I can walk right up and pat him on the head! I dont notice the adult Marans eating any more than my other standard breeds either. (Especially my superhuge Salmon Favorelle)

As for cost, the Marans are pricey for some of them, Cuckoos cost less and you can get them in a lot of feed stores. Some are from distinguished lines and have years of breeding invested in them - they should cost more. As for me, I send people Cuckoo Marans eggs for the cost of shipping only. The girls are slowing way down right now, so it's getting harder, but I would rather send them out than eat them!

Enjoy your birds! Both is better, and even though I have both, I would like to have Barnevelders too. Man, this chicken stuff!
Tina from Chico on the Doe Mill Ridge

 

[Portia]

My husband was reading about barnvelders and decided they'd be a nice addition to our flock, as if we need any more chickens right now. Not to highjack this post, but does anyone have experience with them?

 

[the simple life]

See now you all have me wanting welsummers.
I have cuckoos and black coppers but I almost bought the welsummers about 6 months ago and took the golden lakenvelders instead because I liked their looks.
I was buying a mixed assortment of eggs from this breeder and I couldn't fit every breed in that I wanted, but have always kind of regretted not getting the welsummers.
There aren't too many more breeds I am looking to get since I have so many kinds now, but I am going to get some welsummers I think now, and hmmm barnvelders? hmmmm
Someone was advertising faverolles on here and I hemmed and hawed too much and someone else bought them.
Still wondering about those too...... what to do what to do.

 

[L&Schickens]

I am on "The List" for Marans, but have a nice young flock of Welsummers right now. I have 5 hens and a roo. They are only about 3 months old, but I love them and they are beautiful.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I have a welsummer (my oldest hen) and she is a great layer. She averages 5 eggs a week for us. She is our only layer right now. She also loves to "bawwwkkk" at me. She is nice to the others (added as a huge girl to the teens).

 

[ginasmarans]

I haven't had Wellsummers,but I have marans(cuckoo)and I love them. To be honest,I haven't noticed they eat any more than any of my other chickens, except in chicks, but they grow so much faster! It's like feeding teenage boys during a growth spurt. I notice all chicks become ravenous at about 2 months old. About the price,I think there is some fad pricing going on,but if you look at established breeders,their prices are pretty constant and they have spent many years and much money developing their line. You can buy hatchery marans fairly reasonable,but as I stated in another post,if you want "show quality stock" from any breed, get ready to pay out some money. If I get ready to pay out a good amount of money,I want to know a little history. Ask the breeder where their line originated from and how long they have been at it. Personally,I would not pay top dollar for eggs from a breeder who ordered eggs last year and now that the hens are laying they want $75/doz. In my opinion,that breeder has not earned the right to ask that much. I have been breeding mine for about 4 years and i think my prices are on the low side,but I have my reasons for that and if you want to know them,I will be glad to explain it if you p.m. me.
Oh my,I'm sorry, kind of went on a tangent there.
Get both!