Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Spitman]

Wow ! been so long i have never posted since the changes lol , can anyone tell me how to move my post to this thread , I started a new thread , when I wanted to post here lol.

 

[Debbi]

Wow ! been so long i have never posted since the changes lol , can anyone tell me how to move my post to this thread , I started a new thread , when I wanted to post here lol.

Welcome back! Some of us are finding the change harder than others, me included! You can hunt and peck your way through most of it, and ask questions along the way, I got a lot of help right in here with questions, (thanks Barb!). If you unintentionally started a new thread, I would think you could ask a moderator to delete it?

 

[Spitman]

Thanks , I have a request In to have it moved here ! I like the changes , I'll get used to it Lol

 

[Arielle]

I used to feed oyster shell free will, but don't any more. Especially since I found out it's not even actual oyster shells, but more of a gypsum, ie drywall!! ??? Every once an awhile, I will bake up some egg shells for the girls, but the layer feed I use seems to have plenty of calcium in it to maintain a healthy shell. Before, when I was feeding the drywall, the shells were so hard, that you really had to whack them to fry up some eggs for breakfast! Can't imagine how any of the chicks got out of those shells, they were sooooo thick!

Exactly. I think I will change to breeder pellets for the marans for now and see if the shells decrease their thickness. I did crack one for breakfast last week and it took 2 whacks to crack. Surprised me it was so thick.

 

[flgardengirl]

up to 9 chickers now. I have a blue cuckoo cockerel that has the most fantastic leg feathering, on legs that are just enormous!!!

He is just a beast and a half!!

I can't wait to see pics of the Little Beast

I found my key west hens nest from where she hatched her babies in the woods and there are nooo white eggs in there. There were two eggs that didn't hatch and the other 9 that did were all dark brown, orpington brown, or olive eggs! Dang I knew those KW hens were crazy. They will steal everyone else's eggs LOL! My 2 KW hens that are sitting on silkie eggs are still sitting tight. I'm thinking the one furthest along, should be hatching really soon now. I found a teeny tiny fart egg in with the silkie eggs that she is sitting on. Either it belongs to another kind of bird or one of the KW hens. It is white. I don't have any new layer (pullet) KW hens so I don't know why it would be so small. She won't let me take it though. It better not hatch!

 

[Debbi]

Exactly. I think I will change to breeder pellets for the marans for now and see if the shells decrease their thickness. I did crack one for breakfast last week and it took 2 whacks to crack. Surprised me it was so thick.

My birds won't eat pellets of any kind, they toss them all aside. I was feeding a mix of Game Bird Breeder crumbles and Layer crumbles, but the Game Bird stuff jumped up $7.00/50# bag within the last couple of months, and made it impossible for me to feed it! They also must've changed their formula, as the last bag I bought, the chooks would not eat it!! $18.00 a bag and they WON'T EAT IT??? Oh heck no. So, I have gone to the layer crumbles and the Chick Grower (non-medicated) mix. The Chick Grower is 18% and is pretty much the same as the Game Bird, and much less per bag. And...they EAT it! Since the winter, they have all gotten used to their Scratch Crack!

They love it, and the Silkies will whine and pout if they don't get their share. Will be weaning them all off of that for the warmer months! Will supply another form of treat in the spring, in the form of mealworms. Been too cool in my shop room to get the worms started, but will start next month. Hope to make a bunch of these things, enough to freeze and put aside for next winter!! The chooks ALL LOVE THEM!! Great source of fun and protein too!

 

[Spitman]

Anyone no a good place or thread that I can get info on Maran color genetics for breeding , I have Birchen and , Blue copper boys , and birchen Hens what will I get if i cross the 2 colors Also whats your guys take on Birchens .

 

[Debbi]

I can't wait to see pics of the Little Beast

I found my key west hens nest from where she hatched her babies in the woods and there are nooo white eggs in there. There were two eggs that didn't hatch and the other 9 that did were all dark brown, orpington brown, or olive eggs! Dang I knew those KW hens were crazy. They will steal everyone else's eggs LOL! My 2 KW hens that are sitting on silkie eggs are still sitting tight. I'm thinking the one furthest along, should be hatching really soon now. I found a teeny tiny fart egg in with the silkie eggs that she is sitting on. Either it belongs to another kind of bird or one of the KW hens. It is white. I don't have any new layer (pullet) KW hens so I don't know why it would be so small. She won't let me take it though. It better not hatch!

Hi Lynette!

Ok, how are these girls carrying these eggs off to their nests??? I can't imagine this, seeing as I have only had one broody, and that was 20 years ago! A banty Barred Rock, and she was just gone one day, then a month later she re-appears, so no insight for me. Maybe a good Game Cam project to see how they do it? Curious mind here wants to know! Maybe your fart egg is a wild bird's egg?? Would be cool to see what hatches from it...

 

[Cadeau]

Hi all!

Sorry - been away all day getting the taxes done, picking up a pony cart and harness (yay!), and my MIL bday dinner.


Vicki - CONGRATS!
I'm glad they're finally starting to pop!



I have 15 total marans - looks like 12 BCM, 1 really light blue, 1 navy blue, and one that I need to post a pic of...wheaten or salmon?? I have to look online... Not bad out of 20 eggs!!
several of them are HUGE!! They look a week or two old!!

and only 2 cochins (out of 7 eggs...I don't know why...)

and I lost a GORGEOUS light blue chick....he had a really tough hatch and just didn't do well...

 

[Debbi]

Anyone no a good place or thread that I can get info on Maran color genetics for breeding , I have Birchen and , Blue copper boys , and birchen Hens what will I get if i cross the 2 colors Also whats your guys take on Birchens .

You are in the right place to ask that! There are a few in here that breed Birchens and Blue Coppers! Stick around, some of them will chime in. Got any pics of your birds?