Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[OHmamma]

I realize this is an old posting, but I'm trying to learn more about the milky "bloom" on my marans' eggs.

I do pysanky easter egg decorating, and am wondering how suitable these milky brown eggs will be. Does the coating scrub off, or wash off, or am I stuck with it?

I was going to try to do one of those too and was wondering if the wax would adhere to the coating on a marans egg. I guess all we can do is try it. I wouldn't put too much work into the first one just in case.

-Nicol

 

[pinkchick]

So I am officially out of my league here.  I was just wondering today how many birds a person keeps  and what some of the bycers keep or hatch that I do... but the numbers quell me.  I am certain that even if I manage to hatch any chicks this year I certainly won't get to so many as you all.  I wonder if this is the litmus test that says I am not going to be a good chicken keeper.  It does hearten me to see that 'serious' keepers keep more than one breed at a time.  I have been feeling like I should find a way to limit what I have (Favorelles, BC Marans, Ameraucanas, Orloffs) and I feel as if I should make apologies for not being more... focused.  Its difficult to be certain I am doing as much as I can for each with this many.  I really like them, but then, I like birds and would probably have a few more types and colors if I could.  When it comes to keeping separate pens for cocks and hens for each breed.... oh boy. 

I did get my first solid and even big Marans egg.    Small joys.

Congratulations on your egg! That's awesome!


I can't tell you how many chicks I have hatched out over the last nearly 5 years, hundreds I'd say. At one time my LF numbers were near 150-180 birds. I thought that it would be fun to breed a few different breeds of birds, Welsummers, Barnevelders ( I seriously miss my Barnies), Delawares, Ameraucanas, LF Salmon Faverolles, olive eggers and Marans, but having that many was just to much for me. I don't miss the large numbers at all, but breeding as many as I have since I started allowed me to see what my birds can produce, good and bad. After all that and as of today, I have 3 females and 2 males and I am really happy with what I have in my yard, but it took serious culling and the intestinal fortitude to do it.....now let the rebuilding commence, but far fewer birds this time around. You don't have to produce mass amounts of birds to be a good steward of the breed, go at your own pace and if you only keep a few birds, then so be it, just do your best with what you have and enjoy the lovely eggs and the delightful birds and most importantly.....have fun with your hobby!

 

[pinkchick]

lisasenic~

The milky bloom that you asked about does not wash off, scrub off. I had a female that laid these eggs ALL OF TIME, I was so curious to see if I could get it off, I even tried sanding it off.....nope.
They would make beautiful Pysanky eggs don't you think?

 

[pinkchick]

Do ya'll think she is going to be dark blue or what?

 

[chickenfinch]

I am thinking about getting some Marans and was wondering about personality, cold hardiness, number of eggs, etc. Thanks for any help or advice!

 

[pinkchick]

Don~
It's going to be very exciting to see what you hatch out. Do you have any photos anywhere of your Welsummers? I bet your Wellies are OUTSTANDING!!!!!

 

[pinkchick]

I am thinking about getting some Marans and was wondering about personality, cold hardiness, number of eggs, etc. Thanks for any help or advice!

Welcome!
I have had Marans now for almost 5 years and find them to be excellent birds personality wise and cold hardiness is good (but I do not live in a very cold climate so others will have to give their opinions here) and they are good layers. They are not as productive as other breeds such as RIR's or Barred Rocks but they are adequate IMO.

 

[gilavina]

Do ya'll think she is going to be dark blue or what?

what a chunker! Where'd that one come out of?

 

[pinkchick]

Vicki~

I get to borrow that other Blue Copper gal from my bestfriend pretty soon.

 

[pinkchick]

what a chunker! Where'd that one come out of?

She is from Will and my huge Blue Copper gal.