maran eggs

[kathyd]

Lol Suechooks . I wonder what happens if I buy lilac or pink ink refills next time

[Suechooks]

Lol Suechooks . I wonder what happens if I buy lilac or pink ink refills next time

You'll never know until you try!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hilary B]

Someone told me that the Cuckoo Marans were derived from an outcross, to get the sex linkage, so they don't always lay 'proper' Marans-type brown eggs, and of course there is the 'show factor' as already mentioned (I think show-types are supposed to have the feathery legs).
Marans eggs tend to be better keepers than average, because the shells are less porous (I suspect this could complicate hatching in an incubator)

[kathyd]

You'll never know until you try!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't tempt me! I could have such fun!

[kathyd]

Someone told me that the Cuckoo Marans were derived from an outcross, to get the sex linkage, so they don't always lay 'proper' Marans-type brown eggs, and of course there is the 'show factor' as already mentioned (I think show-types are supposed to have the feathery legs).
Marans eggs tend to be better keepers than average, because the shells are less porous (I suspect this could complicate hatching in an incubator)

Really? Well that's interesting... forums are fab aren't they . I'm glad you told me about the eggs' keeping qualities, because when they all decide to lay again one of these days, and if / when the babes get going too, we'll be over-run with eggs (bit of wishful thinking going on here) and it's good to know we can eat Dotty's after the others.

Quick question - if an egg is elongated when laid, and the yolk is broken when cracked open but everything looks and smells OK, is it safe to eat? Please say yes, because OH already did yesterday..

[RichmondHens]

Yes, if it looks and smells ok it will be fine. If the shell is cracked cook it well to ensure any possible harmful bacteria are killed and there will be no "after effects". We operate this system with a lot of food ...............

Strange shaped eggs can be treated the same as any other eggs. They don't get seen in shops because they are graded out, so you only get to see what is considered a normal egg. It's just the same as fruit and veg. Wonky carrots taste no different to straight ones etc etc - just a bit more of a b***** to peel!

[darkbrowneggs]

Someone told me that the Cuckoo Marans were derived from an outcross, to get the sex linkage, so they don't always lay 'proper' Marans-type brown eggs, and of course there is the 'show factor' as already mentioned (I think show-types are supposed to have the feathery legs).
Marans eggs tend to be better keepers than average, because the shells are less porous (I suspect this could complicate hatching in an incubator)

Hi there - I think one of the problems is that the cuckoo gene tends to make any offspring cuckoos as well no matter what the breed. So if someone was wanting a more striking bird for showing they might cross with a Barred Rock, or if someone wanted to increase egg numbers a cross with an egg laying breed would still produce a cuckooed bird, but obviously in both cases the egg shell colour will be affected.

And yes you are right the darker eggs are more difficult to hatch. Marans eggs are white shelled, then the colour is painted on before laying, so the darker the egg the thicker the coat of pigment. This makes it difficult for the egg to loose sufficient moisture during incubation to allow the chick to manoeuvre and successfully pip/hatch

But I think the challenge of producing hens which lay such lovely eggs makes it all worthwhile