Olive Eggers vs Isbars: Which Breed is Better?

[gimmie birdies]

Hi neighbor!

 

[mixedbreeds]

These are my 2 BCM boys feathering is only on one side.

 

[andreanar]

You won’t be happy with the egg color if you are looking for the dark chocolate the Cuckoo Marans I have lay just brown eggs it’s a darker brown but nothing like black Copper Marans.

I had 2 Cuckoo Marans and their eggs would have given the Black Coppers a run for their money.

 

[mixedbreeds]

I had 2 Cuckoo Marans and their eggs would have given the Black Coppers a run for their money.

Were they like this? These have lost some of the spots as they have gotten a little older but they have also gotten a little darker. I like them a lot.

 

[andreanar]

Almost. .. here are some. Helen

 

[mixedbreeds]

My Cuckoo Marans on top and going down are black Copper Marans, Icebar, and last are Crested Cream Legbar. Normally I have more color variance in the icebar but some decided to take a day off today.

 

[Peppercorngal]

On one side we have the ultra-rare breed whose name is the Isbar, known as the only purebred and single comb chicken that lays green eggs on earth.

On the other side we have Olive Eggers, known to most people as Rooster Marans x Ameraucana hen hybrids (though there are other cross varieties that can give similar results), bred for the aimable purpose of laying green eggs and, hopefully, inherit both parent's best traits.

I want to make myself a colorful egg basket on top of a flock of chickens that vary in colors. Having never tried Olive Eggers and only having read about Greenfire Farm's infamous Isbar chickens three days ago, I'm unsure which one to try. Should I go for the pricey, ultra-rare breed, or try my hand at a hybrid whose plumage and genetics is completely random?

The challenge in choosing which breed resides in two things: I live in the mountains, and it rains often during summertime. French Marans have feathered feet, and I've read more than once that feathered feet were a big no-no in humid/wet lands, so I've set my eye on the English/British Marans, who are a version of the French ones that have no feathers on their feet. Having a non-feathered Marans would give me safe access to beautiful chocolate brown eggs on top of equally non-feathered feet Olive Eggers if bred with an Ameraucana rooster. The non-feathered Marans, however, is not recognized by the American Poultry Association, so it is extremely rare in the USA. I only know of Cackle Hatchery that claims to produce Marans with unfeathered legs, and I have no idea if this hatchery can even order them outside USA borders - I live in Quebec, Canada, so my chicks would come a long way if I were to order a few specimens.

The USA borders pause an equal challenge for my coveted Isbar. The only place I know to have some is in Greenfire Farms... and while I've never ordered chickens by mail before, if they do ship outside USA borders, then I have no doubt that it will be a pricey business. They're quite the unique species.

Knowing all of this, would it be better to order the Isbar, who is a certified layer of green eggs and devoid of feathered feet, or target the non-feathered English/British Marans, to ensure no feathered feet both in my chocolate egg layer as well as her Olive Egger babies?

I'm a rookie in chickens, with an enthusiasm to match my curiosity. Normally I would have contended with the local races around me, but as I've come to realize, the Marans I want for my egg basket don't fit my climate, and Plan B isn't exactly standard procedure. No one around my place has non-feathered Marans or Isbars to talk about, so I'm turning to BYC with the hopes of finding an answer. Which breed (Olive Egger or Isbar) do you think is the best choice as green egg-layers for the place I live on, guys?

You can get Isbar eggs or straight run Isbar chicks at Omega Hills Farm in Mississippi. Here's the website: http://omegahillsfarm.com/product-category/isbar/
I'd go for the Isbar myself, but they are expensive to buy! Big decision you have.

 

[gimmie birdies]

 

[mixedbreeds]

View attachment 1296824

That looks like one of my egg cartons people like that

 

[oregonkat]

These are my 2 BCM boys feathering is only on one side.View attachment 1296006

Those are two handsome fellas you have there. My favorite kind of rooster, absolutely love them. Your eggs are fabulous too.