*UPDATE # 1* My Free "Rare-Exotic" from MM

[Cheers2Ya]

@rebrascora and @Frazzemrat1,

Alas, I have come to accept the she is a he. I was looking forward to the dark, dark eggs. But, he will be a beautiful boy and is welcome to stay as long as he behaves himself. I love the sound of roosters and have not yet grown tired of it.

Question though: I have one pretty dark egg layer. If my CM breeds with that hen (breed unknown), could the offspring have darker eggs than the mother hen? Or does that trait not pass from roo to chick? It would make sense to me that he would affect the overall outcome, including egg color, although that may not mean a darker egg.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

its possible. I'm not very experienced with fowl genetics.

 

[debid]

The hatchery cuckoo Marans hen I had laid regular brown eggs. They weren't dark nor speckled. So, I wouldn't hold my breath that your guy has spectacular dark egg genes. The best way to get those, IMO, is from a breeder who breeds for egg color. They often have surplus males available.

 

[Peppercorngal]

Their free chicks are always male. That is how they get rid of them.

I think you are right about that! My free chick was always male, even when I specified I didn't want roosters!

 

[Peppercorngal]

Agreed. Why would they want to alienate their customers by giving them a rooster when the customer wants hens?

They gave me two roosters on my first order of hens only and the last (I won't order from them again) they gave me three roosters when I wanted all hens!