CatsCube Posted January 14, 2008 Share Posted January 14, 2008 Still trying to decide on my definate list of new girls to get. I would like a Maran for the dark egg colour, but I understand Speckledys look much the same and also produce dark eggs but lay more per year than the Maran. Who has either of these chooks? Is the Speckledys eggs as dark, do they lay more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephi Posted January 14, 2008 Share Posted January 14, 2008 I got Isadora, my Spekeldy in October, after my beloved Ruby (original Omlet girl) had to be put to sleep after crop problems. It was very sad, but I have to say Issy has fitted in perfectly, she was only 20 weeks when we got her, but she stood her ground with our Miss Pepperpot and she started laying very soon after - the most delicious dark brown, spekeldy eggs! and she hardly ever misses a day. I don't have a lot of experience of breeds - well non really! But have to say I am thrilled with her! Enjoy deciding, I am sure Maran's are fab too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted January 14, 2008 Author Share Posted January 14, 2008 Have you got a pic of one of her eggs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 14, 2008 Share Posted January 14, 2008 My maran lays perfect dark brown medium eggs. She's a very reliable layer and the shells....well you wouldnt believe! they are the strongest shells (they dont break when I drop them) She's a very funny hen, enquisitive, always busy, greedy, doesnt mind being picked up and is always coming in the kitchen - so she's not scared of people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted January 14, 2008 Share Posted January 14, 2008 My Maran lays very dark eggs compared to my Speckledy (tried to take a pic there but the colours aren't showing up very well, will try tomorrow in daylight). My Welbar's eggs are also darker than the Speckledy (but she's not laying just now ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 14, 2008 Share Posted January 14, 2008 My Speckledy Sadie is huge, and lovely - she's top chook, but not aggressive - and she makes lovely cooing noises. She lays smallish (for her size!) dark brown eggs, sorry I haven't got a picture and she's not laying at the moment! She is a lovely bird, I adopted her a few months ago with her Gingernut friends, but I'd definitely have another speckledy if I had room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted January 14, 2008 Share Posted January 14, 2008 My Spekledy (cukoo maran) is absolutley gorgeous and her feathers are incredibly soft. I think that her eggs are the tastiest of all the girls. They are not as dark brown as I had thought they would be, but they do have lovely speckles on them. I've just tried to take some pictures Cat, but my camera battery is flat. I'll put one on tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beauty-Box Posted January 14, 2008 Share Posted January 14, 2008 My speckledy has gorgeous soft feathers too. She is quite shy and lays darkish brown eggs with darker speckles on them. That's when she is laying, which she isn't at the moment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 I have a French Maran & used to have a Speckledy too. As the Speckledey is a hybrid,they will lay all year round,but will also have a shorter life than the pure breed Maran. My Speckledeys eggs were a pale brown,whereas my Maran lays nice darkish speckled eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 My maran has funny leg problems. We've not been able to work out what it is, but she can't walk properly some of the time, so we have to make sure that the floor of the run always has something her poor little toes can grip. When she lays, she lays beautiful chocolate brown eggs, five or six a week. She did stop about a month ago though, and I don't expect to see any more until it gets a bit warmer. Florrie has a delightful personality, and is easy to catch for a cuddle (because she can't run away ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 Here we are Cat - Two of Serafina's eggs (Speckldey) The pictures don't really pick up the lovely little speckles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted January 15, 2008 Author Share Posted January 15, 2008 Oh yes they arnt very dark are they. I think I will go for the maran. seing as I can get 3 new chooks, I may go for another hybrid as my third choice so I get more all year round eggs too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 Here's mine - Speckledy and Maran egg next to each other. The Speckledy's were a lot darker last year but I've read that egg colour fades when they go into their 2nd laying year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
