International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[WVduckchick]

Does anyone else have cockerels that like to lay with their tails way up in the air? I mentioned it to another breeder and she said she has several marans that do it. This guy lays around like that quite often. But not all the time. So far, his normal tail carriage doesn't seem too high. Is it an attraction thing? Or maybe he's hot. Its been quite warm here.

 

[marchick]

Does anyone else have cockerels that like to lay with their tails way up in the air? I mentioned it to another breeder and she said she has several marans that do it. This guy lays around like that quite often. But not all the time. So far, his normal tail carriage doesn't seem too high. Is it an attraction thing? Or maybe he's hot. Its been quite warm here.
View attachment 1435062

View attachment 1435067

I have never had any do that but I am sure others will post. That is too funny.

 

[KF0002]

So what have you guys found works best and easiest way to water all the pens?

We probably do things the hard way but it has always worked for us. We carry water in two modified plant water jugs and use them to water the birds. They hold around 2.5 gallons each I think and we get them at Walmart in the garden section. My husband takes off the end cap with the many holes that causes a sprinkle of water and uses his knife to widen the opening a little so the water flows faster in a bigger stream. He will not even consider automatic waterers and prefers his method so thats how we do it. Its hard work and a lot of water to carry because we have a crap ton of chickens. Lol

Each pen has water cups or small water buckets depending on how many chickens are in the pens/coops. We use big chick waterers for the brooders.

 

[WVduckchick]

I have a few different water setups. Serving 2 pens is a 4” pvc pipe with vertical nipples. A few other pens, I have individual 2 or 3 gallon waterers. For some of those, I have a slot cut in the wire so the trough can go under and serves 2 pens with one waterer. Then of course every pen with broodies and babies has quart waterers for the babies for a few weeks each.
Best thing I ever did to help with watering is bought one of those outdoor sinks. Ran hoses to it, but it makes filling waterers much easier.

 

[Hensndoes]

So what have you guys found works best and easiest way to water all the pens?

Our coops are pretty close to the house so we have a hose that gets almost there. Pita in the winter though. We use a larger waterer and usually fill it once a day and it's good. Till winter. One day I will have electricity in there.

 

[marchick]

Thank you guys! I need a better setup! I only have the one arm that works. I have a large galvanized waterer for the largest pen but I can't fill that waterer. My husband has to do it for me. I can fill the gallon waterer with one arm. It has a handle that I can flip it over with my one good arm.
I have thought about water barrels and nipples but how do you keep the water from going stagnant?

 

[KF0002]

Does anyone else have cockerels that like to lay with their tails way up in the air? I mentioned it to another breeder and she said she has several marans that do it. This guy lays around like that quite often. But not all the time. So far, his normal tail carriage doesn't seem too high. Is it an attraction thing? Or maybe he's hot. Its been quite warm here.
View attachment 1435062

View attachment 1435067

It has been hot here too! But at least its not snowing and winter, so the heat I can deal with. I haven't had a bird lay like that but chickens are goofy and they do what they want. Lol.

 

[KF0002]

Thank you guys! I need a better setup! I only have the one arm that works. I have a large galvanized waterer for the largest pen but I can't fill that waterer. My husband has to do it for me. I can fill the gallon waterer with one arm. It has a handle that I can flip it over with my one good arm.
I have thought about water barrels and nipples but how do you keep the water from going stagnant?

Apple cider vinegar cuts down bacteria growth. Adding ACV has many benefits. It also cuts down algae growth. One tbsp per gallon.

 

[WVduckchick]

Thank you guys! I need a better setup! I only have the one arm that works. I have a large galvanized waterer for the largest pen but I can't fill that waterer. My husband has to do it for me. I can fill the gallon waterer with one arm. It has a handle that I can flip it over with my one good arm.
I have thought about water barrels and nipples but how do you keep the water from going stagnant?

Definitely get these. I have 2 for my ducks and they are the easiest to fill and they stay very clean inside. Fill a bucket, carry the bucket to the waterer, remove the lid and pour in. I use a small bucket and make a few trips to it, but it’s still easier than trying to carry it full!

Oops missed the pic lol

 

[Hensndoes]

7 wks and I'm still on the fence with #1 @RedBanks ? Comb did lighten up a few minutes after I took this pick. They haven't been handled much. I can't get over the slow feathering. It settles just like my cockerel whereas the girls stay a bit worked up. The size of the comb isn't all that helpful as 1 girl has a smaller and the other is the same size. #3 is looking good so far I sold 1 mixed cockerel with 2 girls and he started trying to crow the next morning.

Thanks @kfelton0002 for the tip about mixing game bird feed. 1 week in a separate pen in the run and new feed mixture and the other pullet seems to have stopped feather picking.