Welsummers or Marans?

[MNKris]

Quote:
I just ordered 12 straight run from them and I will be able to tell you in about 6 months if they lay dark eggs. I was told by some of the customer service people there that the eggs varied in color, but were on average definitely darker than any other chickens they carried. I guess I am going to be shocked if I get very dark eggs, but at least I will know for sure. I would be happy with 4s and 5s. Hopefully then I could selectively improve the flock. Time will tell I guess, but I have generally been more happy with McMurray than any other hatchery I have used. Although they are definitely no breeder, it seems like their chicks are more likely to be at least somewhat close to the standard.

I have been looking for Marans forever. Very few breeders sell chicks from dark eggs and I have had some very strange conversations with "hatcheries" that sell Marans chicks. For example, I had someone tell me that the chicks come out of 9s and 10s on the Marans scale, that you shouldn't select for egg color, that type wasn't important, the more eggs the Marans lay, the better quality they are, etc. Now I am certainly no expert when it comes to Marans, but I do my homework. I know the chart only goes up to 9. I actually have the chart. After reading success stories, I really believe you have to select quality eggs and not just hatch anything and everything. I have heard many Marans owners say the more eggs the hen lays, the lighter the egg is colored, which makes sense to me.

Unfortunately, after looking and looking, I believe not only your best bet, but probably your only bet, is buying the eggs from a true breeder. You just have to bite the bullet and plan on spending about $7-$10/chick by the time you pay the $50-$60/dozen and plan on the shipped egg overall hatch rate to be only about 50-60%. And, if you get a better hatch rate, the cost will be less.

 

[mothergoose]

I can't coment on Marans, because I have never owned one, but we raise welsummers. I love the breed. They are beautiful, lay nice large dark eggs, & docile. Not great winter layers in our cold northern winters, but they make up for it the rest of the year.
Christie

 

[suburbanfarmer]

I have placed an order with McMurray for 2 cockoo maran chicks, among others, and from what I'm hearing I guess I had better cross my fingers for a pullet first and then for some dark eggs. I won't be devistated if I don't get either of those things, but I was looking forward to some really rich, dark eggs to add some more diversity. If anyone knows of a breeder in or near Portland, OR let me know. You guys are awesome!! I have learned more here in 24 hours than from any book or website I have visited.

 

[cgmccary]

One of the best breeders of Marans in the country is:

http://www.bevsmarans.com/

She breeds for egg color. I would not buy Marans, Welsummers from a hatchery if I cared about egg color.

 

[AussieSharon]

There are members on here with really nice Marans. Margaret and Gina have really nice ones. Margaret listed today selling eggs and I believe she will hatch to order.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=32045

 

[earthnut]

Marans lay the darkest of the dark. I plan to get a black copper one day...

Get ones from a breeder, the large hatcheries breed for quantity, not quality.

 

[Oblio13]

I have a few of Bev's Black Coppers, they hatched in early February. I'll feel like a higher order of being when I finally get one of those eggs.

 

[MaransGuy]

My Black Coppers are also from Bev and they lay a very nice egg. There are several things to remember about the breed, however. First, the egg color is not consistent. The very first eggs a hen lays may be a little pale, then they darken up. The color is usually very good for a couple months or so and then even the best hens will fade after a while. Taking a break from laying will help to recharge the color and the cycle begins again. Many factors can influence the color of the eggs as well, stress from extreme temps, diet or illness will all tend to make the eggs more pale. Breeding for good egg color is especially challenging as you need to select the hens that lay the best color for the longest time. Addtionally, the rooster used in the breeding pen is very important as it is believed that he has a lot to do with egg color as well. Hatching only the darkest eggs can be good but a pale egg from a good hen is just as important to hatch since the genetics are not related to a singe egg shell but rather the bird who laid it. Good color has even been know to skip a generation and then reappear in grand-daughters. It can be frustrating as there is still many unknowns regarding how the egg color really works on a genetic level. A marans has to lay a #4, at least, at some point or it is not a real marans. Culling must be done all the time to improve color and this is why hatchery stock is typically poor. They have to produce large numbers of chicks and it would be unlikely that they would know who is laying what color egg even if they did want to cull out the bad ones. The best plan is to start with the highest quality you can and go from there.

Richard

 

[kurby]

I want Marans as well. I hatched out only 2 out of my purchase and they are Copper blacks. I am hoping one is a pullet, I know the other is a roo already.
I am on the notorious waiting list of Bev's.
Karen