Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Keara]

Quote:
Lisa,

Just a guess here on my part, but I would say it has a lot to do with a steady temp, as in the brooder; as opposed to a varying temps with the hen. I would think with the temperature fluctuations with the hen, the chicks would be using more calories to regulate their temps, thus growing slower than the brooder chicks. Just my guess..

I too have seen this. But I think it is because momma hen keeps those chicks on the run, and in the brooder they tend to sleep a lot more. Calories in calories out.

But I will speculate, like Ivywoods, that those bigger brooder chicks are not nececcarily healthier. Mother hen gets the chicks to eat a more varried diet, and the fullest chick crop I have ever seen was on a hen raised chick.

 

[stoopid]

I would also add in the question of disease resistance. Has anyone else noticed the ability to fight off minor colds/infection of natural VS brooder raised chicks? Just like the naturally dirty VS the "bubble children", or, if you notice why doctors don't get sick?
Sometimes we need to get EXPOSED to some nasty things, to build up an immunity to them...

 

[pinkchick]

Quote:
Stoo~

I expose all of my chicks to the dirt at 3 weeks of age if they are being raised in a brooder. Chicks under a broody get exposed whenever momma wants to take them outside. I find they are healthier. I do not vaccinate for anything and I have had very good luck thus far. I want very hardy and healthy birds as naturally as I can.

I also think that the chicks raised with broodies are smaller than their brooder raised counterparts. I agree with Keara about them burning off the calories and getting more of natural diet with bugs and such. Those momma's keep those little chicks busy, go here, go there, scratch this, peck that, I would shed a few pounds too if I were as busy as they are, lol. The brooder raised chicks are just not as active, even though my chicks have access to the outside at 3 weeks of age, they aren't as adventurous as the broody chicks, I think it's because they don't have a momma telling them where to go or what to do and they are not constantly trying to keep up with her.

 

[sewandgrow]

Quote:
I sooooooooo agree. I raised my kids that way being in the country with lots of dirt. They have always been very healthy & missed very few days of school ever. As far as the chicks go, I had a wise ol' bird (gentleman) who has been raising many many chickens for 50 years tell his method was NOT to keep the brooder "too clean". Let the chicks build an immunity. I don't lose many chicks so I think this advice is sound.

 

[Hens and Roos]

Quote:
I sooooooooo agree. I raised my kids that way being in the country with lots of dirt. They have always been very healthy & missed very few days of school ever. As far as the chicks go, I had a wise ol' bird (gentleman) who has been raising many many chickens for 50 years tell his method was NOT to keep the brooder "too clean". Let the chicks build an immunity. I don't lose many chicks so I think this advice is sound.



the only time we had a problem with brooder raised chicks was due to feed, after we changed where we were buying feed from we have been good. This is the way we raise ours and we have had good luck so far!

Here are 2 pictures showing our 2 different groups of Cuckoo Marans chicks

Older group of 4- we think that there are 2 boys and 2 girls- any guess/thoughts would be great as I have someone who wants a boy as soon as I know

Here is a picture of the 2 babies- one is blue and one is black

 

[math ace]

Quote:
At one week of age, my broody hen was having the chicks jump up on the med says dog kennel that was serving as temp housing for them. I watched her hop up there and then call all her babies up there..... While the little ones inside the house were enjoying the glow of the heat lamp..... amazing the difference in activity level..... So, yes this main be the main reason they are growing at different rates.

Do they stay behind in size forever or do they catch up eventuallly ? ?

 

[stoopid]

Hens and roos, I think you're right. The roos are lighter. I wish I knew someone who needed roos that didn't eat them!

 

[pinkchick]

Quote:
At one week of age, my broody hen was having the chicks jump up on the med says dog kennel that was serving as temp housing for them. I watched her hop up there and then call all her babies up there..... While the little ones inside the house were enjoying the glow of the heat lamp..... amazing the difference in activity level..... So, yes this main be the main reason they are growing at different rates.

Do they stay behind in size forever or do they catch up eventuallly ? ?

Oh yes Ma'am...they catch up! Trust me! Little porkers!

 

[pinkchick]

Quote:
I sooooooooo agree. I raised my kids that way being in the country with lots of dirt. They have always been very healthy & missed very few days of school ever. As far as the chicks go, I had a wise ol' bird (gentleman) who has been raising many many chickens for 50 years tell his method was NOT to keep the brooder "too clean". Let the chicks build an immunity. I don't lose many chicks so I think this advice is sound.



the only time we had a problem with brooder raised chicks was due to feed, after we changed where we were buying feed from we have been good. This is the way we raise ours and we have had good luck so far!

Here are 2 pictures showing our 2 different groups of Cuckoo Marans chicks

Older group of 4- we think that there are 2 boys and 2 girls- any guess/thoughts would be great as I have someone who wants a boy as soon as I know

https://www.backyardchickens.com/fo..._of_4_cuckoo_marans_chicks_9-16-2011-crop.jpg

Here is a picture of the 2 babies- one is blue and one is black

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/45425_baby_cuckoo_marans_chicks_9-16-2011-crop.jpg

ADORABLE!!!!!! Loves me that little blue one!

2 roos and 2 pullets in the first photo and I believe both are roos in the second photo.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote:
Ditto that!!! I had one little guy get his crop so full, I thought he was going to topple over!! Even though commercial food is available to my little guys, those little broody raised babies must learn to make the most of what they find when they find it and FILL up when opportunity presents!