Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Neanerbeaner]

I am new to chicken rearing and wondering how well these girls do as starters? I am getting 2 BLR and have room for 4 chickens in my coop. I was thinking these ladies, as the breeder where I am getting my started pullets also has started maran pullets! I am looking for a docile, quiet bird that lays a decent amount. Thanks!

 

[Debbi]

I am new to chicken rearing and wondering how well these girls do as starters? I am getting 2 BLR and have room for 4 chickens in my coop. I was thinking these ladies, as the breeder where I am getting my started pullets also has started maran pullets! I am looking for a docile, quiet bird that lays a decent amount. Thanks!

Well, the personalities with my girls ranges from quiet and aloof, to wild women! Some love to be vocal, some are troublemakers, some I've only heard utter a noise once in a great while, one will fight with anyone including the roos! They are all individuals like people, with their own set of pet peeves and quirks. When mine are laying, I get probably 4 eggs per week from each girl, more on occasion. They are not what I would consider a heavy layer like say a Leghorn, but when you find the gorgeous eggs, it makes up for it! Mine lay better in the cooler weather, and are laying great right now. In the heat of the summer...not so much.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
OK... just have to say, My Leghorn pen lays great! 2-3 eggs a day from 3 pullets, more 3 than 2. My 5 other Leghorns in 2 other pens..... 1-2 eggs a day

My Marans lay better than those pens.

My Marans lay pretty well, but will probably slow down when it get hot. I would not have them for just eggs. They are pretty eggs but only OK layers. Good luck with you new chickens!

 

[pinkchick]

Morning Everyone!
Hope you all had an excellent Easter weekend with your families, friends and selves!


The sun was glorious yesterday and today threatens to be a repeat of yesterday..I think I can take it.

Congratulations on all the hatchers! I've got a few pips this morning.

Barb...if I weren't on dial up I would be watching your video.

Thanks Flgarden. I am liking the Birchens ALOT!

 

[Zanna]

Can anyone tell me if chicks hatch with feathers on their middle toe if there is a chance they will molt out and not come back? Parents have no middle toe feathers and did not as chicks but are fairly heavily feathered down the outside leg and toe.

 

[flgardengirl]

They will not molt out in my experience.

 

[flgardengirl]

Not really, but that chubby little guy (I'd bet anything it's a roo!), reminds me of a male Gorilla! You should see him when he runs when I tap my finger in the feed cup. He runs right over, puffs up, and will look at where I am pointing and start to eat. The first name that came to mind for him was; "Magilla"!

I bet he is a little roo then. Haha that reminds me of how my little Silkie Splash roo was, when he was little. He thought he was really something and was also the first to mature and thumped his feet around like a little Godzilla. I was calling him that for a while when he was little. Now I call him Little Monster (or Mr. Cookie as in Cookie Monster lol). Its hysterical when the little silky roos think they are tough. Little Monster always tries to get out of his pen when I open the door and fight with the big Marans roosters. I have to grab him quick before he gets his little butt kicked. He won't back down and they would kill him.

 

[flgardengirl]

Happy Easter, all!

Hope everyone had a great day and a successful Easter hatch!!
I got:
6 BBS Wheaten Americauna
1 OE
1 EE (from Donna!!)
6 BCM from 3 different pens
14 bantam cochins


Quick brag - I sold 84 pullets, 30 roos, 55 chicks, and 6 goat kids in the last 10 days!!
I can see my feed bill dwindling as we speak!! (Phew!!)

Finally, some goat's milk for me to try making some goat's cheese and yoghurt!!!

Wow quite a sale on your livestock. I am totally jealous of your fresh goats milk. I am hoping to get some dairy goats soon.

 

[Debbi]

I bet he is a little roo then. Haha that reminds me of how my little Silkie Splash roo was, when he was little. He thought he was really something and was also the first to mature and thumped his feet around like a little Godzilla. I was calling him that for a while when he was little. Now I call him Little Monster (or Mr. Cookie as in Cookie Monster lol). Its hysterical when the little silky roos think they are tough. Little Monster always tries to get out of his pen when I open the door and fight with the big Marans roosters. I have to grab him quick before he gets his little butt kicked. He won't back down and they would kill him.

Oh I know their little "Napoleon Complexes" too well. My Blue Silkie roo, Big Boo, got in with the Marans one day, and my 5+ month old Marans cockerel, Pekkar, decided to pick a fight with him. They went into a chest bumping contest, then the hackles flaired! I was on the inside of the Silkie pen and was on my way out to stop the nonsense. The next thing I know, Big Boo is furiously chasing Pekkar around the coop! Poor Pekkar didn't know what he was in for when he showed his arse to Boo! Finally, Pekkar ran into the coop, and jumped up on the roost. Boo stood down below scolding him! "C'mon ya big jerk, get down here like a man!!"

When I finally caught my breath from laughing so hard, I collected Boo, and put him back with his own kind. They are such funny little birds, but braver than their sense should allow!

 

[flgardengirl]

For those that care to take the time ... a Silkie hatching (not Marans, I know ...)

Loved the video. Its so cute how chicks always encourage and 'help' the ones that are pipping and zipping lol.