Hi Lisa,
We processed most of our culls this year and I have to give two thumbs up to the Marans. They grew out to wonderful size and are very tender. These chickens were free range except for 10 days at the end where we added some grain for finishing. Well the Marans were already so grown out that they really didn't need it and we processed them straight away. You will not be disappointed. And yes they have a wonderful flavor. Not bland like store bought chicken... that may have something to do with ranging them but seems to be more pronounced in the Marans then in the other breeds we put in the pot this year.
I am so excited to see the interest in the breed here... I hope we can all get together on this and help and encourage one another.
Oh and yes the chicks can be sexed at hatch. The males are very different with much yellow/gold on them, females much darker with red and chicks can look different one from another and stil grow out to nice adult birds but it can be a little scary....
I think that may be what happened with fowlsrus... he/she felt that the more yellow chicks were somehow defective... when actually they are cockerels...and only two cockerels out of the ten that hatched from the dozen... another weird thing we are seeing... many more pullets than cockerels, Oh, and it did turn out that they were mine... I didn't think there had been enough time yet for hatch.
One more thing... I do want folks to know that these, wheatens, whites, etc. do not lay the kinds of eggs you see pictures of on e-bay... those are Black Coppers only and only the very best birds and only at the beginning of the laying cycle. I have recieved Wade Jean birds that were a 5-6 just from being on the end of the cycle and will lay 8=9. I think 6-7-8 are the best eggs I have seen out of my birds and I am sure Don would agree. It still amazes me that I can post a picture of my eggs and then send someone darker eggs and have them say they were somehow not understanding that the eggs would not be candybar brown.... grrr!
OK I am rambling now, but I just love these chickens.
We processed most of our culls this year and I have to give two thumbs up to the Marans. They grew out to wonderful size and are very tender. These chickens were free range except for 10 days at the end where we added some grain for finishing. Well the Marans were already so grown out that they really didn't need it and we processed them straight away. You will not be disappointed. And yes they have a wonderful flavor. Not bland like store bought chicken... that may have something to do with ranging them but seems to be more pronounced in the Marans then in the other breeds we put in the pot this year.
I am so excited to see the interest in the breed here... I hope we can all get together on this and help and encourage one another.
Oh and yes the chicks can be sexed at hatch. The males are very different with much yellow/gold on them, females much darker with red and chicks can look different one from another and stil grow out to nice adult birds but it can be a little scary....
I think that may be what happened with fowlsrus... he/she felt that the more yellow chicks were somehow defective... when actually they are cockerels...and only two cockerels out of the ten that hatched from the dozen... another weird thing we are seeing... many more pullets than cockerels, Oh, and it did turn out that they were mine... I didn't think there had been enough time yet for hatch.
One more thing... I do want folks to know that these, wheatens, whites, etc. do not lay the kinds of eggs you see pictures of on e-bay... those are Black Coppers only and only the very best birds and only at the beginning of the laying cycle. I have recieved Wade Jean birds that were a 5-6 just from being on the end of the cycle and will lay 8=9. I think 6-7-8 are the best eggs I have seen out of my birds and I am sure Don would agree. It still amazes me that I can post a picture of my eggs and then send someone darker eggs and have them say they were somehow not understanding that the eggs would not be candybar brown.... grrr!
OK I am rambling now, but I just love these chickens.
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