Welsummer or Barnevelder

[LaurelRidgeDreams]

I'm interested in adding a dark brown egg layer to the flock we will begin this spring. Cold hardy is important. What's the difference in egg color and are they both cold hardy?

 

[amazondoc]

Barnevelders in this country do NOT lay particularly dark eggs. They ARE beautiful birds, however.

If you just want a basic dark egg layer for your flock, you can't beat Welsummers. Nice personalities, attractive birds, pretty good layers, beautiful eggs. You really don't have to worry all that much about cold hardiness in NC, but both Wellies and Barnies are single combed so they may both have some trouble with frostbite.

 

[Illia]

Barnevelders are a horrible choice if you want dark eggs - Out of the countless flocks, eggs, and birds I have seen, I have yet to see true dark eggs. They usually just lay brown to an orangey color.

Welsummers are pretty good - Most lay a terracotta color, some are pretty dark.

If you truly want a dark, beautiful egg, though - Go with Marans. The Black Coppers in particular are known to lay the darkest of all eggs, especially good quality Black Coppers!!

Also, they too are a very cold hardy breed - Go for the feathered shank ones, especially.

 

[LaurelRidgeDreams]

Quote:
What does "feathered shank ones" mean?

 

[Illia]

It means they have feathers on their legs and feet. It is a very desired trait with Marans, as it usually means they are closer to the original French lines.

 

[LaurelRidgeDreams]

Quote:
Do you know of a hatchery where I could order sexed chicks?

 

[Illia]

Of true Marans? No. And I would advice not to buy them even if a hatchery does have them. Some hatcheries sell Cuckoo Marans (not feather shanked, and usually lay a rather light egg) and I think Cackle now has Black Coppers, but they're straight run. I'd actually suggest you look around BYC for some breeders, they have hatching eggs.

Also, if you look locally in places like Craigslist, there are nearby breeders who will likely have good Marans. Most sell straight run chicks, but they're sexable before they crow, so if you do get a roo, you can always sell, give away, or eat it.

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

Quote:
Are you speaking of McMurray Marans? Because if you are you are RIGHT! I brought some and they laid the light brown eggs just like my Partridge cochins, in fact the cochins eggs were darker. Good Advice, I wish I had of know you first before doing so. 1 year ago.

 

[andalusn]

I purchased a Cuckoo Maran and a Welsummer off of our local CL and both lay very dark but of my two the Cuckoo Maran is the darker one. I will be on the look out for the Black Copper ..thanks for the info.

 

[Illia]

D'Angelo N Va. :

Quote:
Are you speaking of McMurray Marans? Because if you are you are RIGHT! I brought some and they laid the light brown eggs just like my Partridge cochins, in fact the cochins eggs were darker. Good Advice, I wish I had of know you first before doing so. 1 year ago.

So sorry to hear of that! I know when I first got an order through with Murray McMurray, I saw their "chocolate egg layers" special and was curious, but I believe someone told me they aren't very "chocolatey" so I didn't go with them. Then, years later, I saw a post with a photo of someone's Black Copper eggs comparing to some Cuckoo eggs, some brown eggs, and some white eggs. My jaw dropped and I nearly drooled. Since then I have been on long searches for the best. . . I'm just in love!! So now, I finally settled with a whole bunch of hatching eggs of both Black Copper and some Wheaten/Blue Wheaten Marans with some unusually dark eggs.