Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[shesaredroan]

Quote:
It was magnificent in central Texas!!! I did think of Cher and Nick's "Moonstruck", as I sang "I'm bein' followed by a moonshadow". The shadows were so crisp & intense. I keep thinking I'm SO GLAD I live in the country!!! So I can appreciate the night sky AND have chickens.

 

[pinkchick]

Quote:
Mornin' Kim! How are ya?

I have a quick question for you and anyone else that uses hovabators. I have a friend that is using a hovabator for the first time and had done some reading on the dry hatch method but was wondering from first hand experience what people use for the settings during the first 18 days and then for lockdown on both humidity and temps? She is getting ready to start some eggs hopefully today, so I told her I'd check and see if anyone could help her out.

thanks

I'm doing! Thanks!

I don't use a hovabator so I hope someone that does or has comes by to give you their opinions. I hatch using the dry method, days 1-18 I run humidity between 35% to 40% and up to around 50% or so during lockdown. I run the bator at 99.5 or as close as I can get it and I don't worry about a 10th of a degree or so either way.

 

[gilavina]

Quote:
Mornin' Kim! How are ya?

I have a quick question for you and anyone else that uses hovabators. I have a friend that is using a hovabator for the first time and had done some reading on the dry hatch method but was wondering from first hand experience what people use for the settings during the first 18 days and then for lockdown on both humidity and temps? She is getting ready to start some eggs hopefully today, so I told her I'd check and see if anyone could help her out.

thanks

I'm doing! Thanks!

I don't use a hovabator so I hope someone that does or has comes by to give you their opinions. I hatch using the dry method, days 1-18 I run humidity between 35% to 40% and up to around 50% or so during lockdown. I run the bator at 99.5 or as close as I can get it and I don't worry about a 10th of a degree or so either way.

alrighty....i don't know why i thought you had a hovabator for using for lockdown...might be the lack of sleep at work...who knows. hopefully someone will stop by...i will pass on the info you use for the dry method to her. this is also her first time ever hatching, so just is wanting some confirmation on things really.

 

[Debbi]

gilavina

I use a Little Giant, another styrofoam bator for the hatch. I found a good way to keep the humidity up in it this time. Tell her to elevate the bottom off the table surface by adding blocks or 2x4s. With the bottom elevated, I set a pan of water under the whole unit. To get the humidity up quickly, just add hot water to the pan. I found this kept the humidity level up for quite a long time, even overnight and fairly stable. It helped to keep it around 65% for the last three days, and then some with Pink's slow pokes

. I also added a sponge to the left front corner on the inside of the bator, so you don't have to open the lid to add more. The small air hole is right there in the corner, and I use an eye dropper to wet the sponge. May be buying either a Sportsman or a Dickie's cabinet style bator in the future.

 

[Ivywoods]

Quote:
The sale was crazy....there were about 400 or so less lots of birds than the previous year....but there were tons and tons of supplies...There were about 7 sportsmans....but some were in not so great of shape and there were some that looked pretty much brand new..but were each missing a tray and the water container and other various supplies. By the time things were added to make them complete it would be easily another couple hundred...they were going for between 300 and 400...so it really would have made more sense to just break down and buy a brand new one and not have to deal with any 'mysteries' that a used one would have. I know about the 'mysteries' as I had a used sportsman given to me as a gift and have since replaced, fan, auto temp regulator, and a couple other parts...as well as putting on a gravity feed bucket for water...that is the best investment ever. In the supplies there were lots of no sales since a lumber yard had about 200 rolls of brand new wire they put in the sale that didn't get as much as they wanted.

The funny part about the sale is that with less birds and waaaay more people, it was the perfect set up for a storm of crazy high bids...there were even rabbits going for $120 each....seriously... I am planning to try and make it down to one of their swap meets I think in May...I'll have to see if I can get the date for you in case you don't have to work. The swap only runs from 8 to 12pm..but from what i hear they are one of the better swaps out there. I'm also going to try to go to the swaps in Allen, Ne this year...they have the reputation in the upper midwest for being one of the largest swaps with crazy variety. They have a carnival set up for the day of the swaps and there have been things like camels, giraffes, etc. I think I might want to see what its all about, if for nothing else, than to enjoy the unique things.

I'll try to get some pics of birds later today...we'll see how the weather cooperates...and if I can recover from my sleep deprived zomby state

Yes, do let me know. I have a crazy schedule, but once in a while get an extra day off. We could possibly ride together and split the gas cost. Gas is getting so high it makes me not want to drive anywhere!

 

[hipeatall]

We had a fantastic St. Patrick's Day hatch... 15 of our 19 Black Copper Marans eggs hatched. They are such adorable chicks, I had to share.

I have been wanting BCM's for awhile now and I am really looking forward to adding some beautiful dark eggs to my basket!

 

[gilavina]

Quote:
that is a really great tip...I will pass that on to her for sure!

I had a bit of a surprise just a bit ago...I was having a lazy day starting after such a long day yesterday so, when I finally decided I'd get started with chores I noticed my pygmy does were quieter than usual. They always yell their heads off for food, but not this morning....they are in the process of kidding!!! And both first timers at that. The caramel doe, Inga had one babe so far...but the sac never broke and she didn't break it open so the babe didn't make it. It was a teensy tiny dark dun/carmelly babe with black legs and white hoofs...so sad

...I'm not sure if she is done yet, but she's thrown Lily, the little black doe into the beginning of kidding too....ahhh!!! And to think...I almost bought a two week old bottle baby nigerian yesterday...boy, am I glad I didn't!! I think this is going to be a long day. I love baby animals....and so the checks every half an hour have started..and my anxiety to make sure they both make it through this fine is kicking in. I haven't helped a doe kid in well over 12 years or so...I'm feeling rusty!!!

 

[gilavina]

Quote:
The sale was crazy....there were about 400 or so less lots of birds than the previous year....but there were tons and tons of supplies...There were about 7 sportsmans....but some were in not so great of shape and there were some that looked pretty much brand new..but were each missing a tray and the water container and other various supplies. By the time things were added to make them complete it would be easily another couple hundred...they were going for between 300 and 400...so it really would have made more sense to just break down and buy a brand new one and not have to deal with any 'mysteries' that a used one would have. I know about the 'mysteries' as I had a used sportsman given to me as a gift and have since replaced, fan, auto temp regulator, and a couple other parts...as well as putting on a gravity feed bucket for water...that is the best investment ever. In the supplies there were lots of no sales since a lumber yard had about 200 rolls of brand new wire they put in the sale that didn't get as much as they wanted.

The funny part about the sale is that with less birds and waaaay more people, it was the perfect set up for a storm of crazy high bids...there were even rabbits going for $120 each....seriously... I am planning to try and make it down to one of their swap meets I think in May...I'll have to see if I can get the date for you in case you don't have to work. The swap only runs from 8 to 12pm..but from what i hear they are one of the better swaps out there. I'm also going to try to go to the swaps in Allen, Ne this year...they have the reputation in the upper midwest for being one of the largest swaps with crazy variety. They have a carnival set up for the day of the swaps and there have been things like camels, giraffes, etc. I think I might want to see what its all about, if for nothing else, than to enjoy the unique things.

I'll try to get some pics of birds later today...we'll see how the weather cooperates...and if I can recover from my sleep deprived zomby state

Yes, do let me know. I have a crazy schedule, but once in a while get an extra day off. We could possibly ride together and split the gas cost. Gas is getting so high it makes me not want to drive anywhere!

Ok...sounds good. I usually hitch a ride with my uncle as well, but we take his extended cab truck, so there would be room. The sale we are thinking of going to is May 21st, its a saturday and would run from 8 to 12pm. They are held in overbrook and how we come down would probably still run us through St Joseph and maybe we could meet there? It would be plenty early in the morning to get down there, but if you think you might be able to make it I'll check with him again to see how the plans come together and we can maybe figure something out.

Plus...who knows...I might one of them there splash Marans cockerels I would be willing to part with from those chicks I hatched by then too. I think I am going to end up with a few more than I need, so I'd like someone that knows how to use him to get him.

 

[gilavina]

hey Kim,

I totally forgot to ask you about how you hobble your babies when their legs are splayed...I've never had much luck with them, but when I read your post it made me curious about trying it if I get another chicker like that again.

 

[kowgurl62]

Ohhhhhkay. I FINALLY got to the end of this thread. I have been reading for weeks now. Whew! I am an official BCM owner now. I have 15 1 - week old bcm's, and a dozen bcm eggs from ebay in the bator. I was a little leery of buying off ebay, but the price was right, and the eggs looked dark, so I said, what the heck. Well, I got them, and they were all very dark, I was pleasantly surprised, especially since the seller had a couple of negative feedbacks

they are very dark eggs, most of them were around 6's and 7's, a few 4's maybe.

I have to say, there is so much information on this thread. You guys are very knowledgable, and now when I go looking for bcm's, or any other type of Marans, that I will be very well armed.
Thank goodness for people willing to share.
Lisa