Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[math ace]

OK, I have TWO questions for the experienced breeders on this thread>>>>>

1.) I just put a roo in with a trio of ladies. How long should I wait before I start collecting hatching eggs?


2.) Has anyone heard or read anything about roos not being as fertile when it is really really hot?
I question this because I KNOW that with humans, ahhh . . . heat can effect the fertility of the male gender.

There was some talk during the winter that cold, extreme cold would cause issues with the males. What about temps over 100?

 

[the1honeycomb]

Looking for some Marans, a trio would be nice, Looking for very dark brown eggs. PM me if you have any available in NC or ship fertile eggs
Thanks Nancy

 

[Lotsapaints]

Quote:
I waited 3 days as the pullets were just with pullets and check the eggs by having a good breakfast to be sure

with the heat my fertility went way down but again it went hot then cool then hot. Marans do not like the weather to change that much it even cuts down on how many eggs I get but when it stayed in the 90's and didn't swing to cool those eggs are doing fine now with it being hot some of mine are doing the partial molt and I'm going to worm them this weekend when it swings back to cool again....and just wait until September to start setting again. I have a lot in my grow out pens right now that need another month or 2 to pick out the good ones......then I'll have more room.

 

[geebs]

Math: One day one the sperm can't fertilize an already formed egg.. It is possible by day two but day three is a pretty good time to start collecting. About the heat and fertility....It rarely ever gets that hot and I don't hatch in the summer so I wouldn't really know the answer to that. They aren't crowing as much so possibly they have a lower libido.

 

[Debbi]

Lisa,

Is this the first exposure the pullets have had to any roo? I wasn't sure if you were asking about clearing their system of previous roos? If that's the case, I'd said wait a minimum of three weeks. I was told two weeks early on, and believe me, that's not long enough!

As far as the hot goes with fertility, I've not hatched anything all summer here, but if crowing and breeding are any true signs of fertility, my boys never stopped all summer! They crow and breed when it's 10* or 100*!

 

[math ace]

Quote:
The one group of hens hasn't had a rooster in with them for 2 - 3 weeks. The other group of hens had a rooster in there that I transfered to the other girls.
So, I guess I am more interested in an answer for the group that hasn't had a rooster with them for a couple of weeks.

I ask because I have a brooder ( #3) who is trying to go broody for the second time this year. She was pretty determine the first time and I didn't let her hatch anything.... So, I am thinking I will let her have a go at it this time since I have two other mommies out on family medical leave right now! LOL

 

[pinkchick]

Math~

If the girls have not been exposed to males and are "clean" from rooster stuff then I agree with Geebs and Lotsa about the 3 day thing.....sacrificing an egg or 2 is really the best way of knowing if she is letting the roo do his business.

As for girls that have been exposed to roosters.....I wait 6 weeks for the girls to be "clean" of the previous roo stuff. I have found that they can stored that stuff for quite a long time.


Said Hi to Cracker and she is lovely....I think if you breed her to that dark male with the heavily feathered shanks that you will get some nicely feather shanked babies....but honestly I would try her with that boy in the first photo you posted...I think you said he was from your stock. I bet they make nice blue coppers.

 

[Wynette]

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[pinkchick]

Quote:

I tried to say that I wasn't going to hatch this summer too......didn't work.

Thanks for the compliment on my Lil' Bill Wynette.

 

[pinkchick]

Almost forgot to WELCOME all the new folks popping in on the thread. WELCOME!!!!!

Hi Zanna! Sorry to hear about your babies.

Hi Keara!!! Hey do you have any birds from GFF still? How are they growing out if you do?