Overwhelmed and in Need of Experienced Advice on Reliable Hatcheries for Blue Ameraucana (Not EE), a

[RoosterCogburn7]

As the title would indicate, I have been all over the web, and have ended up more confused than educated. I am relying on the wealth of knowledge here to winnow down to the folks out there that have a reputation of reliability and quality. I am in the process of building a coop that can easily hold 10 of each comfortably. I already have a pen of EE's that have given light green, darker green, and pink eggs of the three that are laying. I am trying to add more diversity of egg colors (sky blue, chocolate brown), with the added benefit of keeping the lines pure, or creating an Olive Egger as well.

It seems many smaller hatcheries have French Black Copper Marans and Blue Ameraucanas, but I know virtually nothing about who or what I am dealing with as far the multitude of hatcheries out there. Some of which listed have websites that have been devoured by cyberspace to be no more. And that concerns me.

The coloration of the eggs keeps my children interested, and I plan on providing what we cannot use for sale locally, and as many of you know, egg diversity color seems to do well.

Thanks in advance for your wealth of experience to assist the truly ignorant (myself) in figuring out a solid hatchery.

 

[RoosterCogburn7]

I found a corresponding website to a BYC'er with a very positive encounter. I am looking forward to Spring.

 

[Ray from PA]

Hatchery bred Marans will seldom give you the dark egg color you are probably looking for.
I recommend looking for a breeder near you or one that will ship chicks to you that can offer you the egg color you are looking for.
There are Marans groups here on BYC and facebook as well.

 

[RoosterCogburn7]

Hatchery bred Marans will seldom give you the dark egg color you are probably looking for.
I recommend looking for a breeder near you or one that will ship chicks to you that can offer you the egg color you are looking for.
There are Marans groups here on BYC and facebook as well.

I think I did. I had a very positive PM with a fellow BYC'er: Taylor Hobby Farms. They have a positive reputation here, and it seems like they have what I need.

 

[btguy]

I have done well with maran from chicken scratch poultry but still working on blue myself

 

[RoosterCogburn7]

I have done well with maran from chicken scratch poultry but still working on blue myself

I wanted to stay with Black, simply because I wanted to get as close to the French Standard as possible.

 

[btguy]

They have black and blue Marans... But I meant blue egg layers

 

[RoosterCogburn7]

They have black and blue Marans... But I meant blue egg layers

Ah, yes, the Ameraucana, or the other blue egg layer Cream Legbar?

 

[btguy]

I got eggs from both off eBay but they are only 7 weeks. Probably hatchery quality but all I really care about is egg color and them not being too aggressive.

 

[RoosterCogburn7]

I got eggs from both off eBay but they are only 7 weeks. Probably hatchery quality but all I really care about is egg color and them not being too aggressive.

I would not trust Ebay poultry, but that is just me. I want to deal with people with a proven reputation when it comes to rare breeds.