Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[pinkchick]

Enggass~

They are adorable and I am so sorry about that crooked toe....I honestly have no idea why that happened. Waiting for the Black Copper pics.

Here's what I am thinking on the sex of these youngins'...keep in mind that I really needed to see them at 3-4 days old but will give this a try like I did for Debbi.

Ready....

Splash 1 and 2 I say are both boys and I think that all 3 Blue Coppers are pullets.

Sometimes the copper can take months to show up...some of Bill's kids may not ever show copper, but the Davis kiddos could start showing copper(especially the males) by around 6-8 weeks or so.

 

[Debbi]

Oh heck, just wait till they're 4 weeks, then you'll know!

I am seeing two definate roos in mine! Can't believe how much that one blue of Steve's looks like one of mine! Can you say...consistency???

 

[Ivywoods]

Delila- I think a lot of the "lateness" of your layers is due to the fact that they were late summer hatches. I believe if they reach their point of lay during the shorter days of winter it will take them much longer to get to laying. Seems like they just wait till spring. That's when they all start laying better. At least that has been my experience.

It may have something to do with the lines, too. I don't really know about that. Mine are pure Wade Jeane line, and started laying at around 5-6 months, but they were a March hatch, too.

 

[Debbi]

Delila,

I just looked up my records for the first batch of pullets. They were hatched on 6/30/10, and the first one started laying in November. I remember giving them all a stern talking to! "Look here ladies! 5 months is plenty long to wait for an egg or two. If you wait till spring to lay, you may be meeting the inside of the stew pot! Lots of food here, get to laying!" I kid you not, 3 days later I had my first egg!

It can't hurt?? I was afraid they would not start till spring, and that would've made them 9 months old. Start talking to them...

 

[enggass]

Quote:
Thanks Pink!
I heard the toe is usually an incubation thing... Not genetic. I kind of like it. S/he was the first to hatch - Her name will be 'Toby'

I would have to say I agree about the 2 splash. They are both big - from Bill - and much more aggressive even at such a young age... The one with more feathering will actually almost attack my hand when I reach in as the others all scamper...
I'll try to get some black pics up soon. Love them!
Steve

 

[The Point]

Quote:
I have been a busy girl!! I even showed at my first chicken show this weekend. (Way easier than showing a horse) Clyde can come home anytime he wants. I lost his daddy a couple of months back and dummy me didn't keep any of his sons.

 

[enggass]

Quote:
Now for the blacks...

#1

#2

#3

#4

What'ya think? Again 7-10 days old...

Steve

 

[Debbi]

Quote:
I have been a busy girl!! I even showed at my first chicken show this weekend. (Way easier than showing a horse) Clyde can come home anytime he wants. I lost his daddy a couple of months back and dummy me didn't keep any of his sons.

Oh no!! Sorry to hear that! That is exactly why I will hold on to both Roy and Clyde, just in case! You should see them. They walk around the pen in step, crow one after the other, breed one after the other

, they are like twins! The only way to tell them apart is by height and a bit of color. Roy grew out, and has a bit more color in the saddle area; whereas Clyde grew up first, but is now starting to go outwards and color up now as well. They are both gentlemen to me, can't say that for the poor pullets though, as they are very aggressive and teenaged breeders! I'm about to set some of their eggs, hoping to get some size in the chicks. Color be dashed, for now, I want to see their type passed on! I love these guys!! Build the barn, then paint it...

I bet showing chickens is easier than horses! I know it's got to be easier than dog shows too!

 

[pinkchick]

CONGRATULATIONS TO VILLAGECHICKEN!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations to Mommy and Big sister too!

 

[The Point]

Quote:
Thank you Ruth!!!! I picked up her whole box and moved her to a small pen by herself. She immediately got off the nest

She had been sitting on nothing all day, so I ran in the house and grabbed 3 eggs off the counter and put them in the nest. She plopped right down on them and hasn't moved. If she is still good tomorrow night, I will make the switch.