Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[MuffsnFluff]

Quote:
Yuck, I hate snakes, lol! I can't believe he didn't strike at your hen! She must be pretty ornery! Around here all snakes get the buisness end of a shotgun if we can manage it, I hate finding snakes full of baby chicks, and it happens from time to time

Plus my mother in law got bit by a copperhead a few years ago, so the only good snake around here is a dead one, lol! I didn't know they ate eggs though! Something else to worry about now!!!

But maybe he won't come back either!!!!

 

[MuffsnFluff]

Quote:

They do get pretty determined! We've got three setting right now, and I'd say we'll have more before the summer is out! We've been setting a few of hubby's birchen banty cochin eggs under them and the first batch comes off monday, if she's done her job right, lol! Baby chicks are always so much fun, no matter how many you've hatched! This first hen that's hatching off is my little son's "pet" chicken Sweetie, so he's gonna have a blast watching her be a mommy! (hopefully she does a good job

 

[poularde]

Hope everyone is doing well.

I am overwhelmed with roosters at the moment and have run out of pen space. I need to get rid of some roos. I have decided I can not keep one roo who I think will be a good project bird. He is fathered by Pink's Bill and is turning into quite a big handsome fellow. Hatched on March 6th. Beautiful dark Blue Copper. He does have clean shanks, but I think he is worth working with. If anyone in the area is interested in him please PM me. Here is a pic. Not the best. Taken early this month and he has more copper showing now. He does have correct eye color. Hate to see him go. Maybe someone could use him.

Here is is a profile shot sorry so dark.

 

[Ivywoods]

Snakes. I guess I would be pretty upset if I found a snake full of eggs or chicks. I don't think they can get to any of my small chicks, but with many hens free ranging, I'm sure they could find a batch of eggs. I'm afraid if I found one full of eggs I'd be too mad to give him a chance to "relocate." As long as they aren't bothering anything I don't bother them either.

I've got a marans hen that went broody a while back. I'm not sure exactly when, but I think she should start hatching chicks between July 4-10. She seems very content in her little pet carrier box (with the door open.) I also have one that has gone broody in the roll out nest box. It isn't working too well for her.

I went down to clean out the hatching tray from my last hatch, and to get rid of the eggs that didn't hatch. Wouldn't you know, I heard a peep peep! There was a little marans trying to get out of it's poorly zipped egg. I gave it a little help. I'll get it out of the incubator tomorrow. Gees these marans are sure slow hatching sometimes!

 

[Debbi]

Well, my wanna-be broody is at it again today, but I think the heat is not helping in her venture. She hasn't started plucking her "broody feathers" yet, so maybe she is just confused. I still wonder in the back of my mind, if the pullet I thought I lost went broody and is hiding somewhere. I could've sworn I saw her the other day!

flgardengirl ~ why are you not killing these snakes as you see them?? The second one sounds like a Rat Snake, and as good as they are on vermin, they are not so good for your eggs or chicks. Sharpen up your long handled hoe and whack him right behind the head. Can you get a pic of him? There are also herpetologists(sp?) you can look up in your area that would be glad to come out and get him for free. I live near a huge Army base, and lots of non-native snakes get dumped out my way when the guys have to leave for another duty station. About 4 years ago, I was out in the front yard with my dogs. My gravel driveway is 8' wide, with 4' of grass on either side. On one side is a pasture, on the other side is the woods. I happened to glance up at the drive, and there was a HUGE black line across the drive. I took the dogs inside and went to get the gun. I was close enough to see the snake before I went in, and I could NOT see the head or the tail!

So we are talking MORE THAN 16 feet of snake!!!! By the time I got back out, he had disappeared into the woods. You think I went after him?? OH Heck NO! His body was pretty close to being as big around as my thigh! Called a herpe guy that advertises on a free site out here, and I thought he was on his way. He was so excited to come get it. When I told him the lay of the land and the chances of him finding it here, he gave up, but asked me to call if I saw it again. He thought by the way I described it that it was a Python. Needless to say, or at least hopefully, that snake would not make it through the winter here. I hope...

 

[Debbi]

Quote:
Wow Poularde, he looks just like my Myron! Myron has more copper and is darker blue, but the same clean legs and stance.

 

[MuffsnFluff]

Quote:
That has got to be hilarious!!!!

 

[MuffsnFluff]

Debbie, I kinda agree with you there! Yikes! 16 FEET OF SNAKE?!?!?! Too much for my liking

 

[Debbi]

Poularde and Pink

Here is a shot of JR on the left, and Myron on the right. No one was in the mood for standing up and posing, so this was the best I could get of them tonight. Oh how I wish JR had Myron's comb!!!!

They are 15 weeks old today.

 

[Debbi]

Quote:
Yeh, me too! 16' is what I actually saw, there had to be at least 5' more that I couldn't see!

He would've made a whole bunch of purses and boots though!!