Got my first Black Copper Marans Hens today !!

[kbreak]

I am new to chickens. But I am addicted. I got 3 BCM hens today and one had a baby with it that is Blue copper. Hopefully they will settle in with the rest of my chickens and start laying soon. The baby looks to be about 8 weeks old. I was scared to death to put it in with the chickens. I guess it was used to running from the bigger chickens. I went to check after dark to make sure everyone was settled in and it was funny cause it was on the top roost.
Is there any thing special I need to know about BCM's? They are such pretty hens. Do they all have feathered legs? Do I treat them like my other chickens? I am so excited!! Can't wait to get some dark eggs to go along with my blue and brown eggs.

 

[flgardengirl]

Hi Congrats on your new Marans. The standard does call for feathered shanks and feathering on the outer toe. You can treat them just like your other chickens. The more you interact with them the friendlier they will become. Do you have any photos? Come over to the Marans thread and join right in.

The only other advice I would give you is to make sure to quarantine all new birds for about a month before adding them to your existing flock to prevent possibility of the new ones spreading disease to the others. I don't think I would put the new little one in with your older original chickens yet either but you can watch them closely and separate if you have to. If you do decide to leave the baby with the older ones, make sure to give him places to hide in case they start pecking him.

 

[kbreak]

I have been lucky so far not separating for a month. My husband just put them in with the rest of the chickens. I am not really set up to separate them for that long. I had thought about putting my 10 week olds in with the big girls and the new BCM in there pen but my husband put them all together. We are building a 20x24 barn this spring and then I will definately be set up. I''ll just pray for now no one gets sick. The only one that gave the little one a problem was a small runt roo that is leaving tomorrow. I had thought about putting it in with my 10 week olds but it is sticking with it's momma.
Thanks for the advice ! Any and all advice is welcomed. Only had chickens a few months. I will post pictures tomorrow.