Black Copper Marans hatched by Silkie December 2013 during a really incredible cold snap. We had temps in the 20's with strong wind blowing bringing the wind chill down to the low teen's and single digits. Didn't bother my Silkie as she hatched 3 of the 6 eggs...one died at hatch from omphalitis and I found drug out of the nest by momma, 2 never hatched though fully developed...the cold may have played a factor since momma was a bantam, so 6 eggs were maxing her out for the weather, not sure. But the 3 that hatched thrived with momma in the unheated but closed hutch. I had to wait several weeks for the 6 inches of snow and frozen rain to melt down so they could use the run. These Marans matured into beautiful hens (2) and 1 rooster, which I sold. The hens laid at 16 weeks (if I remember right) which was early to mature for that breed and line. They are laying lovely dark eggs now, well before the winter short hours.
