Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[desertmarcy]

I realize prices vary across the country, but I'd like some input. Since I am raising up new pullets to improve me stock, and not hatching chicks anymore this summer, I can't see a good reason to hang on to my existing hens, which are my starter Black Copper Marans group. They are way overmelanized, and I've got a good dozen or more pullets, 2-3 months old, some younger, that are showing some copper in their hackles that I can raise and watch for good ones. My hens are just shy of 15 months old and we are now into our heat here and all the birds have slacked off laying, plus 2 are broody. OK, so question is, what is a reasonable price to sell these for? I listed them on CraigsList for $40 each--no takers so far. Bear in mind I feed all organic, so very expensive to feed my birds, and no grass/forage here--this is desert. Someone has offered $25. Not sure if I should take that or not. Or maybe only if she buys all 5? Opinions please. If they aren't sold within the next month, I will probably end up butchering them for the meat, but we don't really need the meat, plenty of extra cockerels have been filling the freezer.

 

[DMRippy]

I realize prices vary across the country, but I'd like some input. Since I am raising up new pullets to improve me stock, and not hatching chicks anymore this summer, I can't see a good reason to hang on to my existing hens, which are my starter Black Copper Marans group. They are way overmelanized, and I've got a good dozen or more pullets, 2-3 months old, some younger, that are showing some copper in their hackles that I can raise and watch for good ones. My hens are just shy of 15 months old and we are now into our heat here and all the birds have slacked off laying, plus 2 are broody. OK, so question is, what is a reasonable price to sell these for? I listed them on CraigsList for $40 each--no takers so far. Bear in mind I feed all organic, so very expensive to feed my birds, and no grass/forage here--this is desert. Someone has offered $25. Not sure if I should take that or not. Or maybe only if she buys all 5? Opinions please. If they aren't sold within the next month, I will probably end up butchering them for the meat, but we don't really need the meat, plenty of extra cockerels have been filling the freezer.

I would sell them for $25 before I butchered hens. They are not pullets, so you may have to bear that in mind... I would not pay more for an ORGANIC hen but that is me. I have only sold a few here and they sell quick at $25 each. I know that some people ask more and probably get it. Try to get $30 each if they take them all... you may both feel like you got a deal.

 

[Debbi]

Shoot! I would be tickled to get $25.00/hen here! Laying hens around here are lucky to get $15.00, and for that price, I'd just as soon eat mine. I bought some skinless/boneless chicken breasts the other day, and let me tell you, these don't resemble or TASTE anything like chicken!! I've got half a mind to call the USDA that stamped that dang bag and ask them who the heck thought these things were even edible, or CHICKEN!!! I would've thrown these things into dog food...maybe. So tough you can barely cut or chew them, and absolutely NO taste! USDA my arse! I WILL be taking these back to the store for a refund!!!

 

[DMRippy]

Shoot! I would be tickled to get $25.00/hen here! Laying hens around here are lucky to get $15.00, and for that price, I'd just as soon eat mine. I bought some skinless/boneless chicken breasts the other day, and let me tell you, these don't resemble or TASTE anything like chicken!! I've got half a mind to call the USDA that stamped that dang bag and ask them who the heck thought these things were even edible, or CHICKEN!!! I would've thrown these things into dog food...maybe. So tough you can barely cut or chew them, and absolutely NO taste! USDA my arse! I WILL be taking these back to the store for a refund!!!

OH I can only get that for the Marans.... take all of about an HOUR to get 10 replies at $25 each. Reg chickens $15 or they don't leave!

 

[desertmarcy]

I would sell them for $25 before I butchered hens. They are not pullets, so you may have to bear that in mind... I would not pay more for an ORGANIC hen but that is me. I have only sold a few here and they sell quick at $25 each. I know that some people ask more and probably get it. Try to get $30 each if they take them all... you may both feel like you got a deal.

It is a tough decision. I did collect 2 eggs out of that pen this evening, so some are still laying. It is my understanding that breeds like Marans are productive for a longer time than hatchery production birds, which tend to burn out after 1-1/2 to 2 years, is that correct? How long do most of you keep your Marans? If I price the adults too high, she will just buy some of the younger pullets, but I think the adults would go better for her since she has an existing flock of 4-5 hens, going on 2 years old I think she said. The 2-3 month old pullets I have would probably not integrate very well. I am having a major pen space issue right now (who doesn't

) so moving those adult out would definitely help. I have to butcher hens if no one buys them--too costly to maintain and as organic meat, they are worth more in my freezer to me than selling them for a pittance.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote: I have read that hatchery birds can lay for 5 year pretty well. Not all but some. I would think a Leghorn would burn out quick. My Marans are about 1 year old. I don't plan on selling them for another year or 2. If they are good breeders I am keeping them. Most breeders keep them for 3-5 years on hens and 2-3 on roos from what I have read. My Marans go through cycles it seems. They will lay great and then NOT.... then they are right back on track. They just started laying in late fall and quit about January then started back up in Feb-March and have slacked off again but they seem to be picking back up. Not great yet but good. Ultimately you will have to make the call. $25 a hen could by a lot of store bought organic chicken and it would free up some pens.

BTW I don't sell my breeders until my new pullets start laying and can replace the older ones. You never know what could happen or what the new ones are really going to do.

 

[desertmarcy]

I have read that hatchery birds can lay for 5 year pretty well. Not all but some. I would think a Leghorn would burn out quick. My Marans are about 1 year old. I don't plan on selling them for another year or 2. If they are good breeders I am keeping them. Most breeders keep them for 3-5 years on hens and 2-3 on roos from what I have read. My Marans go through cycles it seems. They will lay great and then NOT.... then they are right back on track. They just started laying in late fall and quit about January then started back up in Feb-March and have slacked off again but they seem to be picking back up. Not great yet but good. Ultimately you will have to make the call. $25 a hen could by a lot of store bought organic chicken and it would free up some pens.

BTW I don't sell my breeders until my new pullets start laying and can replace the older ones. You never know what could happen or what the new ones are really going to do.

You've got a good point there. That was actually my original plan, keep the breeders while raising up the new ones. BUT pen space is a problem, I have had so much problem with picking this year. I'm sure it is because they are crowded and bored. It is hard when you have so many predators and can't just turn them loose. One of my Orloffs was getting her butt picked raw/bloody. I had to take her out of the Orloff grow-out pen and put her in a 4'x4' pen by herself. She was in there for a week or two, I think. She hated it and I'm sure it felt like solitary confinement and actually that's exactly what it was. Today I sprayed any raw or bare back/butt areas on birds with Furasol spray. It is antibacterial spray and dries right away, it is bright yellow. The other birds don't seem interested in it. The Orloff was growing her feathers back but still had a little bare spot, so I sprayed her too, and put her back with the others. She was sooo happy to be out of that small pen--she went bouncing all over the place. When you see stuff like that, makes you realize they aren't just dumb chickens and shouldn't be treated like so much dead meat like the factory farming treats them.

 

[rirbrahma]

Hi,
Can someone please help me with my 8 week blue copper? Is it a boy or girl?
Thanks!

 

[gilavina]

Hi,
Can someone please help me with my 8 week blue copper? Is it a boy or girl?
Thanks!

i see roo

 

[Cadeau]

Morning all

Just stopping by quickly before work - thread was slow this weekend - hoping everyone was out in the sunshine getting LOTS done!