Giving up on Marans..

[Tailfeathers]

Hi Again,

Let's try this again. My mouse is acting up and I just lost the whole post.

First of all take it from a guy who learned the hard way. I strongly encourage you to NOT buy your birds from a hatchery if you plan to one day breed and show them. You will be sorely disappointed. I won't go into all as to why that is. You can do a Search on here for "Hatchery" with me as the Author and find plenty to read.

Secondly, there was a guy in Snohomish or Monroe who was practically giving Marans chicks away. I don't know a thing about Marans, him as a breeder, where he got his birds, or any such important questions. I can tell you that he was selling some chicks at the Cascade Show for $5 and he had eggs in the cage which I assume came from the same birds as the chicks. They weren't very dark. In fact my Welsummer eggs are much darker so if you're wanting the chocolate colored eggs, he may not be the guy for you. Hopefully you kept my email addy and you can email me for more info on that if you're interested.

Lastly, you might try Lisa Cree although she's a little spendy but you will get good quality birds from her. There was a guy who lived either on the Peninsula or Mt. Vernon I think who had a bunch of Marans he was getting rid of. Harry somebody if I remember right. You might also try the new Marans Club website, CraigsList, and even FreeCycle. I think that's where I seen the "Harry somebody" giving away roosters.

Hope that helps.

God Bless,

 

[cariboujaguar]

Thanks for all the advice guys! I had chickens for years awhile back, I guess I should have mentioned that. I had a flock of 12 'mutts' for 2 yrs and then 24 barred rocks for 5 yrs never lost any of them, so I think I have the basics down... not saying I'm an expert, I have MUCH to learn (especialy about show quality) but I know the basic ins and outs of chicken care

Where in WA are you located Tailfeathers? I watch CL constantly for any signs of decent Marans and have only come across one guy and his chicks were $15 ea, which seems like an average price but is just too rich for my blood as we want about 20-30 chickens...

 

[aberfitch]

Good marans are going to cost a good penny. 15.00 is actually nothing for a good marans. I have paid 25-600 for some high quality Birds. I would advise save up, and start a funds to purchase the eggs or birds want. If that is not something you are willing to do; then order from a hatchery you will be able to get 20-30 birds cheap.

 

[sherrydeanne]

Haven't read the whole thread, but if you want 25-30 birds why not start with 5-8 and breed some? I understand that it will take a little longer to get desirable traits, etc if you don't have as much to choose from, but it seems that you're now going to 'waste' a few years on birds you don't really want. I put waste in quotes simply because I don't think anyone who doesn't have marans is wasting their time LOL, but it's not what you want.

 

[Wynette]

I agree with sherrydeanne; you have to cull heavily for the traits you want. If you begin with 20-30 birds, especially if they are from the same breeder, they will likely have a trait or traits that you will find you do not want to breed for. It will take longer, but IMO, seems like a wiser decision to begin with 5-8 and breed up from there, only with the birds that meet your criteria. Finding 20-30 SQ Marans from one place will be most difficult. I, for one, have culled heavily...I'm not in Marans just for the gorgeous egg color. I love the breed and want to breed to make it better. Also: just a note - I've never had a Marans that was mean or nasty.

 

[DiVon80]

Oh just play with some hatchery birds to get eggs to satisfy your uncle and husband.

Begin doing your homework to find the breed/breeder you want to work with. Save your money and be patient. Good things come to those who wait. I reccomend finding a breeder whose lines you like. Get a quality roo and some girls. Buying eggs doesn't say anything. If a breeder is willing to sell you older birds that are the quality you want. I am doing my homework on the seramas.. Luckly I have a top breeder here in Louisiana about an hour from me. Also subscribe to the Poultry Press. Its a very good newspaper on show type poultry. List breeders,show winners and lots of good info. Oh! yeah breed clubs. I just got some hatchery babies 3 breeds duel purpose just for the eggs. I love to fool with my chickens. I am also getting some lil hatchery bantams(had cochins live long lives and be beautiful birds) You have to begin some where. Now the lil seramas are not going to be cheap,they will need special care. I plan on getting them when the second group goes the the coop. I will keep the lil tiny guys on my screened/fenced porch close to me. Just a little info about my plan. Good luck on your search.

 

[Tailfeathers]

Quote:
I'm in Granite Falls. $15 for a chick is ridiculous. I can't believe anyone would pay that. Nobody knows what a chick is gonna turn out like - even from the best of parents.

I agree with those who recommending breeding up. Get at least two different lines from a reputable breeder. I started my Ameraucanas with 7 different lines - 4 different roosters and three hens different from those. From those I would have gotten 15 different lines of my own but one rooster developed white in his earlobes so I can't breed him now. Still I get 11 different lines from this one breeding year. Once I see what the progeny of those do, I have no doubt I'll be culling back down to a half dozen or so lines and start the process all over again.

The guy is Snohomish will sell you chicks for $5 each - but again I can't vouch for where he got his birds or what quality he has.

God Bless,

 

[Wynette]

I agree with Tailfeathers...however, with Marans, it's extremely important that they lay a very dark egg. If you buy chicks, you have no way of knowing how dark the eggs were that they hatched from, which, although is not a 100% telltale sign of what they will lay like, is a strong indicator. Most reputable breeders will provide actual eggshell samples if you ask them upon inquiring about hatching eggs. It's the best way to see what they are currently laying, because sometimes pictures are hard to tell with. $15 per chick from a good line is not a ridiculous price at all for Marans.

 

[cariboujaguar]

well we have some interest in trades for transport now... we will be stopping in Dessert Hot Springs at this lady's place LINK (thanks Monkeyspinner!) to pick up some chicks for a woman in OR who is trading us chicks for picking up her order and we will be buying a few from her as well. And now a few people here might want transportation as well

I also found a Delaware breeder near by, I might get a gandful of them for home eggs to eat and to brood some eggs for me...

 

[Birch Run Farm]

Hey, glad to see this is going to work out for you after all! Keep us up to date on your flock progress.