Chicken Breed Focus - Maline

[StephWind]

These kids are just a little over 2 months old, and are now mingling with the older kids.



I hope to finish converting my fancy shed to a coop for them this week and shift them all out of the barn to sunshine and grass next weekend! They will have the whole 100' x 100' square southwest corner of the yard to themselves. There are 3 small tree planted in there that I hope will grow into a nice shade area for them over time.

 

[morgan85]

How do the malines do in heat? I am in ohio so it can get into the 90s some in the summer.

 

[StephWind]

It is in the 90s here right now, and mine are doing fine. That said, they do have a nice shady barn to go inside when they get too warm...

 

[amymboxer]

Well we live in Fresno,CA. 90s do not seem to be an issue but we are headed into really high tempa next week. Up to 110 plus heat wave. Dry heat, so we will see how they do. We are gearinf up this week for the animals for the hrat wave coming, extra shade, wetting down pens and may add a fan out there this week. We have dry heat so wetting down shady pens here is helpful. Lots of cool water.

 

[morgan85]

Thanks everyone. I went for it and won an auction for 10 from greenfire! So excited..hopefully there are some females.

 

[StephWind]

Thanks everyone. I went for it and won an auction for 10 from greenfire! So excited..hopefully there are some females.

Congrats!!!! I got both of my batches via RBA from Greenfire!

 

[morgan85]

I got my Malines in the mail yesterday. They gave me 2 extras. Looks like some obvious girls and boys but not sure about the ones with the more muted white.

 

[chickengirl72]

Just wondering if anyone has a feeding schedule for the malines? I wanted to do a bit of math on the costs of growing out our malines... Thanks!

 

[StephWind]

I free feed mine, but they do seem to eat a lot less than my other birds. That said, they DO have access to free range with lots of grasses, alfalfa, and bugs.

 

[Our Roost]

I have had Malines for about 4 plus years now. Just to note on eating habits, They are satisfied with 16% crumbles and some occaisional scratch for a treat. They eat well but are not hogs like a few other breeds I have had. Keep in mind that these birds are slow growers and it takes a while for them to come to full weight for processing. Actually, about 19 to 20 weeks is average. I have found that roosters have heart attacks and seisures, and hens have a tough pecking order on the weak and unfit. Some hens will sucuumb and die as a result. Great full bodied birds and great tasting. Nice jumbo eggs with high yellow yolks. Enjoy and hatch many!