International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[Red Banks]

impressive!

I am thinking how much land to buy. it seems I can find about 1 acre only in the areas I like. I am afraid it is not enough as I plan to have chickens (marans of course, naked necks, rumpless araucana , greek hooded and to work on mixing some of them), ducks: indian runner and muscovy (to keep them separately), guinea fowl (maybe together with indian runners), pea fowl, some turkeys for food, 2-3 goats and maybe 2 pigs. I also want a big vegetable garden, some fruit trees (can be in chicken runs) and a small pasture (can be as a part of rotating vegetable garden). I already feel stuck, lol. and dogs of course. I have 2 old terrier mixes who kill mice and rats and I am thinking about getting some shepherd dogs as they are guards and usually don't chase and kill chickens.

what is the biggest number of chickens you keep in 2 acres?

There are lots of homestead plans on the internet and in books. Here is just an example of a 1 acre homestead. Perhaps it will give you some ideas.

https://www.motherearthnews.com/hom...one-acre-self-sufficient-homestead-zm0z11zkon

 

[Red Banks]

Yep and I hope there is a pullet in there that looks just like Sister.

They have grown a lot and are feathering up good. They are very chunky babies. I have been feeding all my chicks 24% gamebird starter lately and it makes a huge difference. They got moved from the baby brooder to one of the big brooders today.

I will have to buy the gamebird starter. My young ones are heavy in hand and very healthy. To use Chooks man's term, I am well pleased.

 

[chickengr]

I think 2 acres will be good for you and all the animal you want .
goats and pigs need some space .
chooks can go with the goat in the same pen any way .the pigs too .c
chooks will help to keep the place clean and free from bugs and ticks .

my dogs guard the chooks and in return they eat a lot of eggs and culls as well (cockerels)

chooks man

thank you.

I would prefer to keep animals separately. btw pigs would be guards and near the fence. unfortunately in the area where I want to move there are a lot of unemployed pakistanian people. hopefully they would not enter the place where the pigs are.

I have read somewhere in internet not to keep pigs and goats together as pigs might eat goats. is there any truth in that?

 

[chickengr]

There are lots of homestead plans on the internet and in books. Here is just an example of a 1 acre homestead. Perhaps it will give you some ideas.

https://www.motherearthnews.com/hom...one-acre-self-sufficient-homestead-zm0z11zkon

thank you.

I think I would need more than 1 acre as I plan to have more than 1 flock. this plan is for a simple family homestead and I like it but it does not suit me. I saw some other plans as well and I think I need to sacrifice something and buy more land. but I must sell the house first.

 

[KF0002]

I will have to buy the gamebird starter. My young ones are heavy in hand and very healthy. To use Chooks man's term, I am well pleased.

It really helps to beef them up so they stay nice and chunky. Its not medicated but honestly I have found that my Marans are very resistant to coccidiosis. I havent lost one to coccidiosis so far *knock on wood.*

 

[OneMountainAcres]

I have my boy seperated with the girls now. They've joined the turkeys in their coop for the breeding season. The girls have had nice red combs and waddles for a while now but I'm still waiting on eggs. I'm dying to see how dark their eggs will be!

 

[KF0002]

I have my boy seperated with the girls now. They've joined the turkeys in their coop for the breeding season. The girls have had nice red combs and waddles for a while now but I'm still waiting on eggs. I'm dying to see how dark their eggs will be!

Im excited to see them too! Cant wait to see pics! First eggs are like Christmas!

 

[Chooks man]

here some photos of my columbian marans hatched yesterday . well cute .
those are my second generation of columbian .not a mutation .

3 Columbian and one silver wheaten by the drinker .

this one is a boy .great body type and mass .

some cuckoos too

dominant white . sire Spotted Rhino and Dam is Sary .

well pleased

chooks man

 

[chickengr]

here some photos of my columbian marans hatched yesterday . well cute .
those are my second generation of columbian .not a mutation .
View attachment 1199627
3 Columbian and one silver wheaten by the drinker .
View attachment 1199629
this one is a boy .great body type and mass .
View attachment 1199630
some cuckoos too
View attachment 1199634
dominant white . sire Spotted Rhino and Dam is Sary .

well pleased

chooks man

congrats!

please take care of your columbians this year. I hope you will create a new variety as you plan.

 

[KF0002]

here some photos of my columbian marans hatched yesterday . well cute .
those are my second generation of columbian .not a mutation .
View attachment 1199627
3 Columbian and one silver wheaten by the drinker .
View attachment 1199629
this one is a boy .great body type and mass .
View attachment 1199630
some cuckoos too
View attachment 1199634
dominant white . sire Spotted Rhino and Dam is Sary .

well pleased

chooks man

Cuties!! Congratulations on your hatch! I love all your different color varieties of Marans!