Where to purchase Black Copper Marans that lay THE darkest brown eggs

[T-Amy]

Looking for reputable hatcheries that sell the best and truest genetic black copper marans.
If you have them, how often do yours lay? Do they breed well? And if they cross breed with other chickens, is the dark chocolate brown egg dominant?
Thanks!
Cold hardy? (worried about that big, beautiful comb)

 

[HEChicken]

If dark eggs are your priority, I would forget about hatcheries altogether and look for breeders. Hatcheries are concerned with quantity rather than quality. If you look in the Buy/Sell/Trade section of BYC, you'll find BYC'ers selling eggs that are far more likely to be dark than those from a hatchery.

 

[3riverschick]

Looking for reputable hatcheries that sell the best and truest genetic black copper marans.
Need a breed instead. check the egg show results on line and choose a breeder who has multiple wins in competition. Might try the Newnan Georgia show. It is the national meet for Marans and hot competition.
If you have them, how often do yours lay? Depends o the strain.
Do they breed well? Again, depends on the strain.
And if they cross breed with other chickens, is the dark chocolate brown egg dominant?
No, if you cross strains within the breed or crossbreed with the breeds, eg color will suffr. Over 10 genes g into egg color. getting them stable so dark eggs result takes a lot of work. Just one cross can undo it and takes generations to get back.
Choose a line-bred winning strain and continue to line-breed on it. There are plenty of sex-linked genes in the poultry genetics to make even that a challenge.
Thanks!
Cold hardy? (worried about that big, beautiful comb)
As I remember the comb is only supposed to be medium size. I keep a 60 watt light on in my 4x6 coop to help keep the cock's comb from frostbite here in western PA. I got to say these polar vortexes are a real challenge.
Best Regards,
Karen and the Light Sussex in western PA

 

[T-Amy]

Thanks- not having much luck in the buy-sell-trade section. Worried people will SAY their eggs are darkest to sell them & I won't know for sure.

 

[realsis]

Amber waves sell black copper Marans chick's. I know this because I buy my silkies from them. They are Amber Waves in Norco California and they ship through out the states.shipping is one price no matter how close or how far. They ship my silkies to me.excellent quality birds.. You might want to check it out.

 

[3riverschick]

If you are buying for genetics of egg color, ask the breeder to send you an egg shell. be prepared to pay the same as for a fertile egg. You want eggs from the beginning of the laying cycle as they best represent the genetics for dark egg in the hen. the eggs tend to get lighter later in the laying season, even if the hen has great dark egg genetics.
Best,
Karen

 

[T-Amy]

great advice, thanks!!