Which Hatchery's Marans Lay the Darkest Eggs?

[3KillerBs]

I realize that the very darkest eggs are laid by breeder birds from a line they've been working on. But,

Which hatchery's Marans lay the darkest eggs?

I'm primarily looking at ordering from Welp, Ideal, or Cackle (with an option on birds from a farm store). I'm going to get Cuckoo or Black Marans because I don't want any red in my flock from the Black-Coppers and because DH wanted me to add some barred birds because he likes them and would prefer the French kind with the feathered feet.

So, understanding that "darkest" will be a relative term, what is your experience with Marans from different hatcheries?

(Apologies if this should have been in the breeds or hatcheries section. I figured that egg color was an "Egglaying" topic.

 

[nuthatched]

I think egg pigment is something that has to be bred for and I'm not sure hatcheries have time for that. But the quality of chickens does vary from hatchery to hatchery

 

[willchickeneat]

I realize that the very darkest eggs are laid by breeder birds from a line they've been working on. But,

Which hatchery's Marans lay the darkest eggs?

I'm primarily looking at ordering from Welp, Ideal, or Cackle (with an option on birds from a farm store). I'm going to get Cuckoo or Black Marans because I don't want any red in my flock from the Black-Coppers and because DH wanted me to add some barred birds because he likes them and would prefer the French kind with the feathered feet.

So, understanding that "darkest" will be a relative term, what is your experience with Marans from different hatcheries?

(Apologies if this should have been in the breeds or hatcheries section. I figured that egg color was an "Egglaying" topic.

In general, cuckoo Marans lay the lightest brown out of the Marans breed.

Cackle will probably have the darker layers - BCM or Black Marans. Someone near me had some for sale last year due to them moving and the egg colors were between 4-6. Not bad for hatchery.

To save time and money, I would seek a local breeder? If for just eggs or for fun, hatchery will do. For darker color, your best bet will be Marans breeders.

 

[3KillerBs]

To save time and money, I would seek a local breeder? If for just eggs or for fun, hatchery will do. For darker color, your beat bet will be Marans breeders.

It's just for a fun variety of colors in my egg cartons. I have no intention of showing or anything like that.

 

[My2butterflies]

Im not sure, but I have French black tailed red marans coming from crackle this April.
I’m hoping for dark brown. Really any shade darker then my black sex links and I’ll be happy. I’m interested to see what others have to say.

Edited to add: The reason I picked the reds is because going off the pictures they show on their site the red appear to lay the darkest eggs. If that’s true or not I don’t know. But the eggs they show the chicks hatched from are very dark.

 

[DougVC]

I got a BCM from cackle last year and she is laying eggs that are between 5 and 6 on the darkness scale. I know that doesn’t help with a cuckoo but that is my experience.

 

[aart]

Gonna be a crap shoot.

 

[kgallego]

I realize that the very darkest eggs are laid by breeder birds from a line they've been working on. But,

Which hatchery's Marans lay the darkest eggs?

I'm primarily looking at ordering from Welp, Ideal, or Cackle (with an option on birds from a farm store). I'm going to get Cuckoo or Black Marans because I don't want any red in my flock from the Black-Coppers and because DH wanted me to add some barred birds because he likes them and would prefer the French kind with the feathered feet.

So, understanding that "darkest" will be a relative term, what is your experience with Marans from different hatcheries?

(Apologies if this should have been in the breeds or hatcheries section. I figured that egg color was an "Egglaying" topic.

My French Black Copper Marans from Murray McMurray Hatchery are laying amazing dark eggs (see picture I posted below). Say what you want about over-priced private breeders, I'm satisfied with my results.

In general, I love the birds. They're not the best layers, averaging 2.3 eggs/week. The hens are large and have a nice demeanor. They are larger than Orpingtons and Wyandottes, almost as big as Cochins. I have 2 roosters that are a little bit aggressive. Not too fond of the roosters, but they hens do exactly what I want - really really dark eggs!

Good luck getting them. Murray McMurray is almost always sold out. Last year I checked their website twice a day for cancelled orders and finally hit it just right. Good luck!

 

[MARANMAN2011]

The darkest eggs are bred into the Marans line. The darker the egg the rooster came out of will pass on to the chicks it sires. The last rooster i had,came from a number 9 darkness on egg scale from the Cottage hill line. I bred him with some Bev Davis/Wade line hens. They made some really nice colored hens that most layed a higher dark scale egg dark egg but ended up losing all to unforseen circumstances. In my honest opinion your best bet is to find some close to home to buy so you can actually see the proof of the egg color your self. Happy Hunting.

 

[FlipFlopFarmer6279]

In general, cuckoo Marans lay the lightest brown out of the Marans breed.

Cackle will probably have the darker layers - BCM or Black Marans. Someone near me had some for sale last year due to them moving and the egg colors were between 4-6. Not bad for hatchery.

To save time and money, I would seek a local breeder? If for just eggs or for fun, hatchery will do. For darker color, your best bet will be Marans breeders.

I would go with cackle. I ordered 5 random Marans from them and I got six! 2 Wheaten, 3 Black Copper and A Cuckoo. All came alive and well!