What breed to get now!?!?!?!?

[SIMPleChick]

HI! I have just sold the Roos that I had and my husband said I can get a couple more chickens!!! SOoooo....I want to get a couple that lay VERY dark brown eggs. Should I go for Welsummers and Marans? Or are there others that lay VERY dark eggs? They will be in a coop and run and access to our yard during the day while we are outside....so the breeds would have to do well with being in a coop/run. Any ideas?????? I am SO excited my husband is loving the chickens!!! LOL

 

[lovin my birds]

I would say the two you just mentioned are great breeds. i have some marans coming in may. So excited. I love the color of the maran eggs.

 

[Illia]

As a chicken enthusiast, I say both. But as a lover of DARK eggs and truly big, quiet, and friendly birds - I say go with Marans. If I were you I'd steer clear of Cuckoo Marans, but instead go for colors like Black Copper, Blue Copper, Wheaten, Blue Wheaten, Golden Salmon, etc.

 

[wingsofglory]

The welsummers and marans are great.

Others are barnevelders and penedesencas, but they seem to be less popular.

May be others I don't know.

 

[Illia]

The thing about Barnevelders is - They don't lay dark eggs. I've seen ONE user on here with eggs I'd pass as "dark," otherwise they're basically like a normal hen with the color of a Dark Cornish.

Penedesencas are a good choice too though, but I've no experience in their temperament, etc. I personally don't like their Mediterranean bodies though.

 

[SIMPleChick]

AWESOME!!! Thanks for the advice. I think I will go with a Maran and a Welsummer...if I can find them.... Cross your fingers! Then I will have all shades of eggs, LOVE it!