FBCM chicks on craigslist

[jeremy]

Marans experts, this one is for you!

I found this ad on craigslist for FBCM chicks relatively close to where I'm at. I'd been thinking about getting some hatching eggs but I don't have the bator space, so this opportunity seems great!

Is $10 per chick too high for these birds? (especially if they aren't sexed...)
Do these birds look like quality Marans? There aren't any egg pictures, I called and asked for some, hopefully I'll hear back soon from the seller.

Also, if the seller is on BYC then

 

[Illia]

Hard to say for me. Usually though if they sell for $10 a chick, straight run - They've gotta mean business and show some real stuff, not eggless photos and bad photos of their flock. The roo's tail is nicely set, but I can't see if his chest is as red as it looks, and he looks clean legged.

But, there's no telling on egg color. "Really dark" doesn't cut it for me.

I'd ask the seller some questions first. Most people selling BCMs out here go for $6 a chick.

 

[geebs]

Illia... I am with you... I need pictures... If you are going over to pick them up... good opp to see what she has. The price is standard.... even for straight run... that is the average for good chicks. What I would ask:

Where did you get them... specifically... the seller.... ebay? then I would research
What bloodline:.. Davis and Wade don't mix that well.... (you can lose egg color)
Is it a closed flock?
How long have they been in the lay
How long have you been breeding marans.
Egg pictures...
Shells of the hatchlings... (I always provide that for anyone who gets chicks from me... preferrably the shell they came out of if I know.. Sometimes you have a really fat one and you can tell which shell he(usually the case) is from.

Referrences.

I would get thier phone number and cross reference to see what their ads read all the time... It is a big time investment to be tricked...
I can make a recommendation for a breeder in your area that is a ROCK STAR for chickens/eggs if you are interested.... Totally worth the trip.

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
I'd love a recommendation! Thank you for all the insight.

 

[Tala]

$10 seems like an ok price.

I got mine for $8 each at 3 days old, Davis lines, and they gave me 2 pullet eggs from their flock (ideally you want to see a little bit older egg, but hey)
Also they practiced strict biosecurity, met me at a central location -wouldn't let other bird owners on their property. It's a really good practice, especially if you have special birds.

 

[Illia]

Quote:
My current babies were like that. I got them from some breeders who met me elsewhere, as they don't allow visitors to their place. They sold chicks $12 straight run, so I took eggs. Also, you can see the eggs when doing that.

Mine were pure Bev Davis, which reminds me on another thing - As geebs said - What lines do they have? That is always a VERY important thing in Marans.

 

[geebs]

Is SoCal marans anywhere near you?.... not to take away from your find on CL but I will tell you if you are in the neck of the woods by Donna Gherke... that is the best bang for the buck... She has my faves... Google it and it is worth the drive. I have a couple of her birds and I tell ya... they are laying 7's after 6 months in the lay and they are 2 years old and I get 6 eggs a week each...no lie...They are pet friendly... she has had em a while so she is doing a good job on a closed flock... I don't know what she charges..but I would take a sure thing before a maybe.

 

[amazondoc]

IMHO the price is a bit high but not out of line, but do what everyone else said about asking questions and getting pics. Good luck!

 

[jeremy]

I just spoke with the seller, she confirmed that her Marans are from Jeane lines. She said that she usually gets about a 6 from them if you're going by the Marans egg color chart.

I asked her for some pictures, which she gladly said she'd send my way. So far everything seems good. The only thing that I'm a bit worried about is that her babies haven't been vaccinated against Marek's. I prefer my birds to be. She said the chicks are only 2 days old, you can vaccinate against Marek's up to 3 weeks, right?

Thanks!

 

[amazondoc]

Quote:
Well, Marek's vaccinations are a bit tricky. If you're going to vaccinate for Marek's you should do it as early as possible, because the vaccine won't work if the bird has already been exposed to the disease. OTOH, most chicken people never vaccinate for Marek's at all. So that's up to you!