Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[desertmarcy]

Gosh, I hope that's not a roo, 'cause that's almost exactly what my 6 week old blues look like! I was hoping for at least one pullet in the bunch. Sigh.

I would not rule out pullet yet on that one. I have several pullets that look like that. I would give it a little more time to decide for sure.

 

[rirbrahma]

I would not rule out pullet yet on that one. I have several pullets that look like that. I would give it a little more time to decide for sure.

I was leaning towards pullet. Hope I'm right!
Thanks!

 

[chicken curious]

I need help, please!

I'm new to chickens and my 15 chicks are 6.5 weeks old. 6 of them are Marans.

My sweet Cuckoo Marans "Dot" (yes, I know, you are so amazed by the originality of the name! LOL) has always had a bit of a poppy vent area. When she was tiny I would clean it off almost daily because I was afraid it was pasty butt and would block her vent. I've watched her poop and she hasn't ever had trouble, but she is always dirty around her vent. I've cleaned it repeatedly (like once every week or so) by gently soaking her back end in warm water and then loosening any hardened bits, BUT it keeps getting yucky. She stinks. Last time I cleaned it I trimmed some of the feathers thinking that maybe they were in the way, but, honestly, I have other chicks with much fluffier butts and they're very clean. She tries to clean it, but can't reach all the way. Her wings are so long that they cover her vent area when walking around, but she holds them to the sides to poop so they aren't the problem...

PLEASE look at these pics of her and give me ideas on what to do.

Dot from the front (healthy looking *pullet,* right?):



Dot from the 'back'

:



ETA: None of the others have this issue. Their water has ACV in it and I give them kefir or yogurt every couple of days. They also eat a whole grain, soy-free feed:

19% Layer Ration:
Roasted Milo, Whole Wheat, Roasted Oats, Alfalfa, Roasted Barley, Organic Corn, Oyster Shells, Whole Flax Seed, Black Oil Sun Flower Seed, White Millet, Fish Meal, Plant Products, Sea Kelp, Brewer's Yeast, Diatomaceous Earth, Pro-biotics, Vitamins, Minerals and more!

 

[Christie Rhae]

Quote: Gosh I hope my post did not come off wrong. I was not trying to talk anyone into joining any clubs and paying money. Was just giving a few ideas to that original poster cuz it was something I have had a positive experience with. To each his own.

 

[ChickChickChicky]

Chicken curious, the only thing I can suggest is to not feed them layer feed, because the calcium at their age is bad for them.

 

[blackbirds13]

I need help, please!

I'm new to chickens and my 15 chicks are 6.5 weeks old. 6 of them are Marans.

My sweet Cuckoo Marans "Dot" (yes, I know, you are so amazed by the originality of the name! LOL) has always had a bit of a poppy vent area. When she was tiny I would clean it off almost daily because I was afraid it was pasty butt and would block her vent. I've watched her poop and she hasn't ever had trouble, but she is always dirty around her vent. I've cleaned it repeatedly (like once every week or so) by gently soaking her back end in warm water and then loosening any hardened bits, BUT it keeps getting yucky. She stinks. Last time I cleaned it I trimmed some of the feathers thinking that maybe they were in the way, but, honestly, I have other chicks with much fluffier butts and they're very clean. She tries to clean it, but can't reach all the way. Her wings are so long that they cover her vent area when walking around, but she holds them to the sides to poop so they aren't the problem...

ETA: None of the others have this issue. Their water has ACV in it and I give them kefir or yogurt every couple of days. They also eat a whole grain, soy-free feed:

I have a New Hampshire Red that has always had a nasty butt. I have had her for 2 years but I'm gonna craigslist her this weekend as i need to start prepping for the tremendous amount of newbies coming in the next few weeks. The woman who did my NPIP testing said it was normal for some birds and could not find anything wrong with her back there...some are just icky back there I guess, and she is also my only bird that has that issue. My girl has laid well but I do have to keep cleaning her up and I'm not feeling that for this coming winter so she's going to be re-homed.

 

[chicken curious]

Chicken curious, the only thing I can suggest is to not feed them layer feed, because the calcium at their age is bad for them.

Shoot! I just switched them to this feed b/c they finished the bag of starter and I got the feeling they wanted some bigger pieces and the brand I chose doesn't have an in-between (grower) feed. So you think this has too much calcium for 6.5 week olds? Thank you for mentioning it even though it wasn't part of the question.

I think she (?) might have vent gleet so I'm going to flush her with either molasses or epsom salts tomorrow and increase her probiotics. Any other suggestions?

 

[DMRippy]

Quote: I don't feed layer feed till they are laying or there hatch mates are.

I don't know about epsom salts, I wouldn't eat them. Molasses is ok, and some yogurt. Not too much. ACV might not be bad either.

 

[chicken curious]

ok, thanks everyone!

Is 6.5 weeks old enough to post pics and have you ladies and gents tell me the sexes? I'm almost positive all my Marans are hens, but maybe not...

 

[DMRippy]

ok, thanks everyone!

Is 6.5 weeks old enough to post pics and have you ladies and gents tell me the sexes? I'm almost positive all my Marans are hens, but maybe not...

We like pictures!