Marans egg color variations and laying concerns

[bscorpio73]

Hi. I have a black copper marans that has been laying for a couple of months now. Her eggs are not very dark, and are spotted, but are larger than my splash marans and rhode Island red. I really wanted this breed for the dark color. Will these eggs get any darker as time goes on? My splash marans has only been laying for a few weeks now, and her eggs are darker, smaller with a milky colored coat. Just curious if anyone has any insight as to how the eggs will be in the future.

Above pic, Top left to right: Easter Egger, Rhode Island Red
Bottom left to right: Splash marans, black copper marans

Above pic, Top left to right: Rhode Island Red, splash marans, black marans
Bottom left to right: black marans, rhode island red

These pictures are a few days worth of eggs from 4 different hens. I also have a buff orpington that is not laying due to raising a young pullet, and my second easter egger has stopped laying for over a month now.

Is all this is normal??? (I know that the orpington will not lay until pullet is weaned, but worried about the second easter egger not laying at all).

 

[Jajika]

Hi bescorpio73.

From my experience with varied breeds, the color of the shell stays pretty much the same throughout the egg laying life of the chicken.

I have an "Easter Egger" whose shells are grey in color. Not blue, not green, grey!

My RIR lays medium brown eggs and my sex-linked lays the darkest brown. Like all creatures, each is unique and there are no guarantees. You'd need several of the same breed to see if there is any consistency to shell color.

Sorry you are disappointed.

Geri

 

[chicks4kids]

From what I've read on here is that the eggs usually tend to get lighter as the hen ages. Your marans egg should be alot darker than it is...I think maybe someone sold you a hen that was less than pure.

 

[Dixiedoodle]

I am new to Marans and don't have an answer.. My two FBCM just started laying this past Sunday.. I was so excited because the are 30weeks old.. First 2 eggs were a 4 or 5 on the chart, 3rd and 4th eggs are much darker.. I am not sure if both hens are laying OR if the eggs have gotten darker.. Hopefully, I will find out when they lay on the same day..

Where did you get your org. stock from?? Eggs? were they really dark?

 

[Chef]

I really dont think you are going to see those eggs get to the color you want

If you want the chocolate colored eggs I would start with some new girls. Just my opinion. Good luck!

Chef

 

[Katy]

I would be more than a little upset with those egg colors. I agree that if you want to get the dark eggs you're going to have to get some different hens.

 

[Tala]

Those are not dark enough to be considered true Marans. (Though they do have the "painted egg" look that Marans have)

They lay the darkest eggs at first the first of their cycle, and they lighten with time, so no they won't get any darker.

 

[bscorpio73]

Yeah, I figured that this is as dark as they would get. I really like the hens, and the pullet I have is a blue copper marans, (got egg from same person black copper hen came from). Hoping her eggs turn out darker, but not banking on it. I don't want any more hens, got 7 now.

Next opportunity I get to restock my hens, I will buy eggs, instead of chicks. And only dark eggs at that. I really like the size of the black marans eggs, and they all taste the same, so I can't be too disappointed. Will just be more selective when buying them again.

Thanks all to the responses.

 

[buckabucka]

If it makes you feel any better, bscorpio, my black copper marans does not lay very dark eggs either. Mine is a hatchery bird, though. I think if you want really dark eggs, you need to get them from a breeder.

My BCM egg is top center.

I like the purplish tinge of your splash marans.

 

[bscorpio73]

I bought both the black and splash marans hens from local breeders/farmers. Two different people, and I am not sure if they are experienced with the breed, or are just breeding them because they are popular sellers. Next time I will try and find breeders that deal mainly with this breed, and are culling (right term?) their eggs for color.

Thanks again, and I do like the color of your marans, buckabucka, as it is a few shades darker.

April