3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[ajayb]

I posted earlier in the year about this as I was looking for a couple of dark brown or impressively speckled egg layers to add a bit of variety to the egg production here (I have blue & mid brown egg layers). I preferred hybrids to avoid all the broody stuff but realise they're hard to come by. A wonderful omleteer contacted me and posted me some fertile eggs from the far south but the royal mail lost them for a day and I only got one successful hatch - a cockerel! I raised him with two RIRs and a maran (also turned out to be a cockerel) to keep him company but am still looking for a couple of really dark egg layers.

 

England seems full of folk offering every breed imaginable but it would cost £75 to transport them here(!) I contacted a rare breeds man in Stirling from whom I'd bought stock several years ago and, rather depressingly, he's winding up his business as 'no-one wants anything other than black rocks and isa browns'.

 

I'm now thinking that Speckeldys may be the best compromise but hear varying reports about how distinctive the eggs are (some people say just a little darker than normal with some small black spots ...)

 

I know it sounds picky to be looking for such a particular kind of egg but I keep my free range hens for the pleasure of watching their antics in the garden (and, of course, their gardening assistance!) andI enjoy giving a lovely selection of eggs to friends & family.

 

I'd really welcome a) advice on the Speckeldys and, b) an explanation of why no-one in Scotland seems to breed any of the more interesting layers.

[sparkysmum]

The back pages of practical poultry have ads for Scottish breeders & I'm sure that there are a couple of marans breeders. Frustratingly, I came across an on line site the other day which listed numerous Scottish breeders, but can't remember it now

 

I would imagine that the lack of variety to be found in Scotland is partly due to lack of demand. I dont think poultry keeping is as popular north of the border as it is in the South and for the most part we are content to keep hens which are suitable for our climes. All the varieties I keep are hardy and are well able to cope with our vile winters. I do agree that it would be good to have a greater number of breeds available but if there isn't a greater demand from hobbyists I just don't think it will happen.

 

Alli x

[redsunset]

where I live ' Scottish Isle' it seems the only provisions are for RIR or hybrids. I dare say that may change as more people are looking to keep a few hens but for now it seems to be those bred for hardiness and egg-laying? I'm new to all this and am fascinated by all those fancy ones like Polish and Silkies but don't know how they's be with our weather. We have had no rain for over a month until today (but that's so not normal for us) so my poor chooks haven't seen a proper Scottish summer yet!

[Sue]

Hi there - I have been told that the Speckledy's eggs are not all that dark, but haven't any experience of them myself.

 

The shiny dark shelled Marans eggs can be difficult to hatch in general and often don't respond well to long journeys by cargo hold in aircraft.

 

Higgledy Harriets lay a nicely speckled egg but again can be difficult to hatch.

 

You could try Kintaline Poultry who I think have or used to have Marans and I think Rev. Lobb is in Scotland and he may have or know someone who could help with dark or speckled egg layers.

 

The Scottish National Poultry Show is held in Jan and it might be worthwhile visiting and of course if exhibitors were travelling from the south they may be willing to bring stock with them.

 

If you join The Marans Club of Great Britain their Yearbook lists all the members nationwide, and you might find someone from there

[ajayb]

Thanks for all the advice & comments -very helpful as ever! A friend has offered me two one year old cuckoo marans so I'll probably go with them now & consider the Scottish show option next January.

Thanks again.

[JS1]

I know you're sorted for now but I have a Maran and a Welsumer from Hens Made Easy near Cupar in Fife, and they lay lovely dark brown eggs, especially the Maran; had them well over a year and no broodiness yet. I also have Araucanas and Cream Legbars and a White Leghorn from there, so blue, green and white eggs too.