Marans
Lays the famous chocolate-brown egg.
Marans vs Welsummer
Both lay deep chocolate-brown eggs. Marans (especially Black Copper) lay darker, more uniform eggs. Welsummers are friendlier and lay slightly more.
Welsummer
Cornflake rooster — lays speckled chocolate eggs.
Side-by-side
| Trait | Marans | Welsummer |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | dual | dual |
| Eggs / year | 180 | 200 |
| Egg color | dark chocolate brown | dark terracotta brown speckled |
| Egg size | large | large |
| Temperament | calm, quiet, friendly | friendly, intelligent, alert |
| Size | large | medium |
| Cold-hardy | Yes | Yes |
| Heat-hardy | No | Yes |
| Broody | No | No |
| Beginner-friendly | Yes | Yes |
| Noise level | quiet | moderate |
Pick Marans if you…
Want the darkest, most show-stopping brown eggs.
Pick Welsummer if you…
Want chocolate eggs from a friendlier, more productive bird.
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Which lays darker eggs?
Black Copper Marans, graded on a 1-9 scale, top hens hit 7-9. Welsummers typically score 4-6.
How many eggs per year?
Marans: 150-200. Welsummers: 160-220.