michele Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 (edited) Hi, Can anyone suggest any breeds of hybrid hens which will produce dark brown or speckled eggs. Thanks Michele Edited February 17, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellekatz Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 Copper Blacks are based on the Maran breed and they lay dark brown eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 We get nice brown eggs from our Isa Brown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 My copper black lays a dark-ish brown egg, but the really dark brown ones come from my 2 Marans hens. Saronne x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 Marans, Welsummers & Barnvelders (Large fowl) all should lay really dark brown eggs. When you have found some you like, ask the breeder about the eggs, look at some from the parents and see whether his strain (group) are bred to lay the really dark eggs as some are bred for their feather colouring, shape etc. and egg colour is forgotten about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 If you are set on a hybrid you may struggle to find a dark egg laying one Speckeldy hybrids often lay darker eggs often speckled Coucou hybrids are very similar to above I think both of those have cuckoo Marans in their make-up, cuckoo marans strains can vary enormously in the darkness of their eggs Anything with 'copper' in the name may well lay dark eggs. these will probably be based on the French Copper Black Marans bird which lay beautiful dark eggs but again it depends on the strain used originally but there is less variation than with the Cuckoo In theory purchasing any of these birds will get you a dark egg but its not guaranteed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickinboy Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 I'm looking at getting a Speckled Star - chesnut brown speckled eggs - and about 260 a year too: http://www.cotswoldchickens.com/hybrid-pullets-20-c.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eve Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 my batam marans lay dark brown eggs. they lovley birds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jadelee2 Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Hi, I don't know any hybrid hens, but if you want good egg layers, cuckoo marans are ex. Mine still lay through the winter, they have chocolate brown eggs, which are really unusual looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Poppy, a Cuckoo Maran lays the dark one on the right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 My bluebelles sometimes lay speckled eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 Willow, my Welsummer lays gorgeous conker brown eggs,& it a very pretty hen too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...