- Apr 25, 2011
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Gorgeous!
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thank ya! The marans have totally stolen my heart and can't wait til I've gotten more work done on the colors I haveGorgeous!
I breed so I always keep two roosters and one/two cockerels growing. The reason is the way a roo protects his girls is by putting himself in the way of the predator while the girls run and hide. The rooster often losses his life doing this. That being said you really do not want more than one rooster per 10 hens. so you will have to work out what is best for you.I have decided to stick with the Marans breed for chickens on our farm. (small farm) We think we have all hens currently (breeder said she tried to give me all girls. so nice of her!). Regarding a rooster- should I get a couple more chicks (one if I can) that she suspects maybe a rooster now? Or wait until Spring when I add on more chicks and just keep one of the males at that time? I was not just thinking of breeding but also a little protection for my 6 little ladies. Thanks!
desertmarcy, if you can identify who your pickers are, the peepers really do work. I believe there are some chickens that can't be broken of the picking habit. I have a leghorn that started picking and eating feathers as a chick. After a cooped up winter, she got worse, and a few others started picking up her habit.
I increased protein, provided entertainment (cabbage and such), and started free-ranging for part of the day, which helped, but the leghorn and one Welsummer continued picking, so they got peepers and the problem stopped. This year, I removed the peepers. The Welsummer is reformed, but the leghorn went right back to picking. She'll be wearing peepers for the duration of her time here. If you go this route, I recommend putting them on in the evening. Good luck!
I may have to buy some peepers and put them on all the birds. I am curious, exactly how do the peepers keep the chickens from picking? Is it a sight thing? Are they easy to put on the birds? Why do you recommend putting them on in the evening?
Are marans an especially docile breed? I just got some chicks (blue copper and black copper) and they are so calm. <3
haha me too! he is by far the sweetest bird I have on the place and follows me everywhere. He also makes pretty babies!Kimmee likes him alot alot alot alot!!!!!