Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[pinkchick]

oh-oh-oh..Debbi..forgot the BLRW coming from geebs..... since I will not be breeding them specifically and only borrowing their some of their genetics for a project...they don't count either. What was I thinking???...I've got it all worked out.....I've got it under "control"............................................I think?!?!?

 

[Debbi]

Hmmm, that sounds like "chicken logic" to me !

Kind of like chicken math?? Glad I only have room for one more coop, so I must restrain myself! There goes that 300 bucks savings from the culls

 

[rockyspringsfarm]

There are some very sharp genetic people on this thread so I need to ask a question......Which is the better way to cross for Blue Wheatens......a Wheaten Rooster to Blue Marans hens or a Blue Marans rooster to Wheaten hens ? Or some other way ?

All opinions are appreciated. Thank you.

 

[flgardengirl]

Quote:
Haha I've been kinda hiding out from dh since I 'set' 38 silkie eggs the other day on the down low lol. He thinks I just set 16 marans eggs. He hasn't looked in the bators yet

 

[geebs]

Man did I miss all the fun last night... DRAT... Pinkchick....sounds like the hatchy bug just bit ya... That's okay...I got eggs coming in the mail!!!! ha ha... Dang bug gets around.

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
Just my personal opinion but I would go with the Blue Male over Wheaten Females.

 

[rockyspringsfarm]

Could I ask, Don, what makes you prefer the Blue male over the Wheaten females....Is there a particular feature of the Blue Wheaten that you feels comes out better that way ? I am really trying to learn what might be the best...I have both options...and do appreciate all
opinions on the breedings. Thanks.

 

[Illia]

I am going to kill any racoon or such that I ever see even touch my pasture again!!

Went looking for my missing and only Blue Wheaten pullet, found her brooding spot, but it was empty and filled with crushed egg shells. Outside, there was a faint trail of feathers leading into the nearby forest. Sigh. Followed the trail, and found obvious signs she had been dragged along the fenceline until the predator found a hole, shoved her through it, then pulled her into the forest, and what was left? Lots of tattered feathers.

I know it was dangerous for her to brood so far away from the coop(s) and the protection of the rest of the farm animals, but really. . . I'm going to get myself an LGD, some much more predator proof fence, and revenge.

As you can tell, this is my first experience with predator troubles. Never before had them, and thank goodness this was at least something that happened far away from the rest of the flock.


So, now it looks like I'm going to have to use my Blue Wheaten male to create more Blue Wheatens. Hopefully he'll fill out like my gorgeous Wheaten.

 

[Debbi]

Illia,

so sorry for your loss. Can't really blame the coon though, it was like a 7-11 store to him, easy pickins close to his home. That said, now he'll be back. Maybe time to set a live trap?

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
In any of the verity mixing that I have ever done with other breeds I have always used a male the the main color that I am looking for, this instance it would be the Blue. I am by no means an expert on any of this stuff, Just the way I have always been taught.