[bashful_badger]

Hi,

I have been to a poultry place this morning and they had some really lovely hens!  I did think I wanted a proper breed bird but having been I think I prefer the hybrid because they were all a bit smaller, they had orpingtons which were absolutely gorgeous but also enormous!

Having come back I've been looking on the net trying to find info about hybrid marans, only thing I have found so far (hybrids generally) is that they don't lay very well  after the first year?

Does anyone know what this actually means?  I presume you still get eggs but does the amount drop enormously?

I didn't think to ask while I was there!

Anyone also know what sort of temperament these birds are (maran hybrid)?  Generally having been round 3 different chicken suppliers all they ever seem to say is well if you treat birds right then they are all of good nature, which isn't exactly helpful but then I suppose they aren't really going to tell you they are going to peck you at every available opportunity either are they :o)

One place did say not to get leghorns to be fair because they flap in your face and aren't good with children.

Thank you.

[nzdunn]

Just to answer your question about marans, i have cuckoo marans but they are pure bred, dont think there would be any difference in hybrid and pure bred temperment, but with mine i do find them a little bit flighty but thats all, certainly mine do not peck me, they have great characters and like to talk to you alot, i love them.    Ive just recently got a black rock hybrid, shes fantastic, very friendly.    NIckyx