Been lurking and learning....

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC!

 

[Janaynay619]

That is a question I have! These "Marans" I have are laying very light brown eggs, some speckled.....does that mean they are not really Marans?

 

[Wyandottes7]

That is a question I have! These "Marans" I have are laying very light brown eggs, some speckled.....does that mean they are not really Marans?

Did you get the Marans from a hatchery, or from a breeder? Some hatchery quality Marans don't lay the usual dark color of eggs.

 

[Janaynay619]

These are the girls

 

[Janaynay619]

 

[Janaynay619]

A local breeder, but I don't know where he originally got them...they hatch their own and buy chicks. It's ok with me if they don't lay the super dark brown eggs, they are sweet hens and an egg is an egg.

 

[Janaynay619]

When I can figure out how to post a video, this scene was brutal. We have so many coyotes coming through the property AND raccoons. This happened in our driveway at 11:00 PM. Once we got the chicken coop we started hazing the heck out of the coyotes...and we continue lol. We buried hardware mesh 8-10 inches down and 18 inches out all the way around. 24 hour surveillance cams on the coop and around the house, 3 motion lights around the coop and 2 driveway alerts.
After reading all the stories about flocks being wiped out in one night I almost didn't get chickens....but with the advice of everyone here I hope that I have made a secure home for these girls.

Paintball gun is loaded and by the door.... lol I think bright green spotted coyotes would look cool. (wish we could shoot real bullets here though)

 

[drumstick diva]

Sounds like you could use a livestock guardian dog or two because everything and anything will be paying you a visit. Are you allowed to use electrified fencing? 1/2" hardware cloth replacing all chicken wire is warranted, a covered run if possible , to keep out hawks, jumpers and climbers - as well as providing some shade and weather protection. Your cameras will serve you well to mark who and what is around. You might also like a baby monitor in the coop, so you can hear if the birds are all upset in time to rescue them.

Wish you the best of luck with your flock. Glad you joined us at Backyard chickens.

 

[Janaynay619]

Yes a dog is in our future for sure....we can have electric fencing also. There is no chicken wire on the coop or buried...it's all hardware mesh. I cannot wait to start on the run!

 

[Michael OShay]

These are the girls

You certainly have a beautiful flock. You should get lots of eggs from them, especially from "Red" who is a Red Sex Link hen. RSLs are egg laying machines. "o)