which hatchery to go with for Black Copper Marans

[featherfriendlyinIowa52]

There are quite a few hatcheries out there now claiming to have "pure" French Black Copper Marans chicks. I'm not so concerned about that (although, at the price they're asking, I'd like decent birds) as having healthy chicks arrive at my post office. Anyone have experience with any of these hatcheries? Whick hatcheries in your opinion are being conscientious in their breeding practices?

 

[staceyschicks]

It is really best to buy marans from a reputable breeder. The marans you buy from the hachery may look about the same but the eggs will be of a lighter color. Hatcheries breed to produce as many chickens as they can where breeders select the best birds to breed in an effort to improve he breed. I got lucky and happened upon someone selling all of her french copper marans and bought all she had.

You may have to do some driving or buy hatching eggs from ebay to get some good ones but it is definately worth it. We have a saying at my house, " It doesn't cost any more to feed a top quality bird than it does a cheap one!" Good luck, you have chosen a great breed of chicken to raise!

 

[Illia]

None.


Black Copper Marans require good, focused breeding to truly be up to par and lay good DARK eggs, and hatcheries are the worst at putting care and quality into their stock.


I'd recommend going to a reputable breeder.

Although it seems a hassle for some people, getting an incubator and hatching shipped eggs is the best route. That way you get to SEE first hand how dark of eggs you'll be expecting from the chicks when they grow up.

 

[thekid]

Meyer

 

[Kavellion]

I would say do hatching eggs. Hatchey chicks will be super expensive. I get hatching eggs for bcm from someone called mothernature with numbers from ebay and those eggs are superdark.

 

[featherfriendlyinIowa52]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I've been researching and have emailed a couple of different breeders with no response. There's even a breeder within a couple of hours drive (also no response to date). I guess I'll be investing in a bator!