I picked up my first Marans today!!!!!!

[speckledhen]

And I also agree that Barred Rocks are awesome! You just want to be sure who you're breeding to whom if you want to sell hatching eggs.

 

[SGM]

I was actually considering ordering an assorted breed egg producer thing anyway. I had BR on my list of breeds I'd like to have included. I had thought about getting a few of several breeds myself and create my own mix of breeds for layers. I was thinking BO, BR, Australorps, I have RIRs, Red Stars, Black Stars etc. So I'm sad they're not purebred Marans but they are crosses. 2 hens have a pinkish-slate leg just like the ones on feathersite, and 1 looks like she might have some yellow in her. The 3 roos all look yellow legged. So maybe we'll get some nice dark eggs out of them at least. They'd still be great to have for my colorful eggs.

If I do sell hatching eggs to anyone they'll be fully aware they're mixes. I mean shoot, I may end up alternating roosters just for the sake of making me even more crosses for layers. I may eventually splurge and try some Marans or Welsummers but no time soon I don't think.

 

[NurseNettie]

Take a look at my avatar--- We've got a bunch of barred rock crosses-- and just love them! Being "mutts" with a BR daddy, they are all very pretty!

 

[dangerouschicken]

I have a Cuckoo Marans rooster who breeds with our Black Sex-link hens. They usually come out looking just like Cuckoo Marans. For those offspring, the eggs will certainly be brown, just don't know how dark. Barred Rocks give you brown eggs, too. So what if they are not chocolate brown? You still have some fine chickens

 

[NancyDz]

Also you'll get eggs much sooner with Barred Rock, I have some 4 month old Marans and hear I might have to wait til they are a year to get eggs!

As if 5 -6 months isnt long enough to wait heheheee

You did get beautiful birds and buying locally is great, just do your homework if you want something specific.


Enjoy!

Nancy

 

[Katy]

Quote:
I've never had to wait that long for my Marans to start laying!!!

 

[NancyDz]

Quote:
I've never had to wait that long for my Marans to start laying!!!

When did your's start? I was told it was much longer for Marans and could be up to a year.
These are my first.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
I've never had to wait that long for my Marans to start laying!!!

When did your's start? I was told it was much longer for Marans and could be up to a year.
These are my first.

I'd say between 5 & 6 months...the same as a lot of other breeds. If I had to wait a year for them to start I wouldn't have kept the breed for 6 years!!

 

[SGM]

Yeah, we're already talking about having the RIR roo cover these hens when they're laying good and hatch sex link chicks. Then I'll get some cool black stars of my own without ordering. I've heard really good things about black stars so I do want some.

Is there anyway to use a white/silver rooster to get sex-link chicks?

 

[whatsup chickenbutt]

I did the same thing with my stupid araucaunas. I dont care now, but it wasnt until after getting on here and looking them up that i realized that i didnt have araucaunas, I had EEs. No big deal, but when you get them for the egg color it kind of sucks, i know. I wanted green or blue eggs. Now I MIGHT get green or blue eggs. I dont know yet because they are only now to laying age, plus they escape every day. Its hard when the chicken guy sells them as something, and you kind of expect your chicken guy to know what he's talking about. It'd be a lot easier to go buy chickens armed with your laptop so that you could do a quick check of breed facts, huh?