Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Buckhunter76]

Even the Hens

 

[desertmarcy]

The feather picking, keep them busy add new stuff to "play with" Higher protein and if possible, remove the roos. If any or all of that is a repeat, sorry, I just skimmed the story on my phone.

No roos out there, only pullets. Not sure how much playing they want to do when it is 102 degrees. I sure don't want to do much

 

[Debbi]

Was wondering what kind of Maran this is?

My camera is taking dull pics for some reason, grrr.

Maybe Birchen?

I suppose it could be a Birchen, but from your pic, it seems to have some gold coloring in there too. Either that, or it could be a BCM with straw colored hackles/saddles. On either variety that coloring is not correct. Then again, it may be the pic and the way it shows up on my monitor? Does he seem to have some gold mixed into the lighter feathers?

 

[desertmarcy]

desertmarcy, if you can identify who your pickers are, the peepers really do work. I believe there are some chickens that can't be broken of the picking habit. I have a leghorn that started picking and eating feathers as a chick. After a cooped up winter, she got worse, and a few others started picking up her habit.
I increased protein, provided entertainment (cabbage and such), and started free-ranging for part of the day, which helped, but the leghorn and one Welsummer continued picking, so they got peepers and the problem stopped. This year, I removed the peepers. The Welsummer is reformed, but the leghorn went right back to picking. She'll be wearing peepers for the duration of her time here. If you go this route, I recommend putting them on in the evening. Good luck!

I may have to buy some peepers and put them on all the birds. I am curious, exactly how do the peepers keep the chickens from picking? Is it a sight thing? Are they easy to put on the birds? Why do you recommend putting them on in the evening?

 

[DMRippy]

Quote: I read a thread about freezing fruit or veggies in ice cubes or something and letting them peck at the ice in water..... very entertaining and would keep them cool too. I would put out several though so no fights break out.

I think once it starts, it is hard to control. I had to cull one little roo for it. He caused the death of 2 pullets.

I use anti pick from rooster booster.... STINKS.... I have heard vicks vapor rub too. I try to removed the ones getting picked. Once they have a bare spot it just keeps happening.

 

[Debbi]

I have been there so I feel your pain.

Several times I have set eggs from breeds I really wanted and NADA! It is crushing.....

pregnant pause here......


On a brighter note, I have 2 BLRW and one more pipped, Only 1 from Kims, no other look like they have pipped. I think a couple of mine have pipped. I had 1 Lavender, Several BR, Olive Eggers, EE. My cuckoos had pipped, I don't think any were out yet. Tomorrow is the Official hatch day so I still have hope for more. Marans and BLRW, maybe another Lavender

Oh, I am so happy for you! Sounds like your hatch is going great!! I have one of my own rocking up a storm, still nothing from anyone else. Hopefully tonight there may be some action, my Marans usually do pop out at night time for some reason? Really wanted those Wheaties though...

 

[Debbi]

I may have to buy some peepers and put them on all the birds. I am curious, exactly how do the peepers keep the chickens from picking? Is it a sight thing? Are they easy to put on the birds? Why do you recommend putting them on in the evening?

Just did a search in the search bar for "chicken peepers" here on BYC, might want to check these threads out?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/search.php?search=chicken+peepers

 

[Buckhunter76]

I suppose it could be a Birchen, but from your pic, it seems to have some gold coloring in there too. Either that, or it could be a BCM with straw colored hackles/saddles. On either variety that coloring is not correct. Then again, it may be the pic and the way it shows up on my monitor? Does he seem to have some gold mixed into the lighter feathers?

No there's no gold mix.

 

[Debbi]

Here's a gal that used the peepers AND had a sense of humor!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/569815/pinless-peepers-saves-the-day-or-chicken-butts-anyway

 

[Debbi]

No there's no gold mix.

Then he very well may be a Birchen. Hold onto him as see how he feathers out.