Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[BCMaraniac]

I would like to learn how to do this, and know some other people who would, as well. Have you learned/done it successfully on a lot of birds, or are you just learning? I am curious how easy it would be to learn based on reading, pictures, video versus having an expert right there with you, showing you what to do. I am not into abusing birds and don't have anybody local I know of who can do this.

I'm on the exact same page. I would really love to be able to do this, but I would never want to try it without supervision of someone who already has done it a number of times, or watching an in-person caponization. Even then, I'm just not sure I would actually be able to bring myself to cut into a cockerel's body cavity without anesthesia...but, I really think it's an excellent idea, especially so for large, large fowl such as our Marans and (my) Jersey Giants.

There are several on BYC who caponize, and those who are learning. If you go to the caponizing thread, you may find someone in your geographical location that you could watch and/or someone who can mentor you. Also, read everything you can. The bulk of the literature on caponization is from the early 1900's.......well before the development of the CX and other broiler hybrids.

I am self-taught, so it can be done. Just remember there is a learning curve, and you may have a fatality or two. I lost my first bird due to a massive hemorrhage, but death was quick. You may also have slips, or incompletely castrated roosters, so they just have to be processed earlier, but still yields better meat than an intact rooster.

If you look at my avatar, you will see very classic appearance of a capon. Rooster plumage, small pale comb, and long tail feathers that are not carried upright like a rooster. The guy now weighs around 10 pounds live weight, so he is going to be Easter dinner. He is a Marans/Orpington cross. Larger breeds such as the Giants, can reach the size of a small turkey, but they will be slower to grow out.

This year I will be caponizing Marans, American Bresse, and possibly some Marans/Bresse Crosses. My goal is to have a self sustaining meat supply and not have to rely on ordering chicks from a hatchery.

 

[ashandvine]

FWIW Kassaundra here in BYC has learned this all first hand and is a great person who is willing to help out polite inquirers. Its not quite for me. I butchery by hand and have even sewn up gashes etc but I am not quite ready to find the testes in a live bird and remove them. I don't think caponizing means a person is mean either. I know Kass is a compassionate person who takes great care of her birds.

I have a new layer. Her egg is more spherical, so we'll see what its color turns out like. I already have one girl that I just love... she escapes all the time and mutters to herself, lays often and has a full five fingers with a little wiggle room pelvic floor between those shaggy legs. She won't stand still. I brought her up into the work shop so bear that in mind as I post pics. I would like the little feedback that these pics afford. I already know she is too dark. When you see her in the light I can see some copper. More seems to come slowly through as she is getting older. Help me see her type flaws and good points please.


See how her comb wobbles?


This is her helping herself to the grain I took out to tempt her to stand still. Silly silly girl.

 

[Wynette]

I just received this nice note from a previous customer who received hatching eggs from me last summer. It just tickled me to pieces and I wanted to share:

Hi Wynette, I ordered hatching eggs from you last summer. We've had such a miserable, cold winter, but the two girls I kept from your eggs have kept laying right through it with no extra heat! Thanks to them, I've actually gotten eggs, because just about everyone else besides my Orpingtons gave up. The eggs have also stayed very dark! Thanks again!

This got me to wondering how other folks' Marans have laid for them over the winter. My hens stopped for three straight weeks, but two began laying a few of weeks ago. Interesting to me, the two that are laying are older hens - I'd not have been surprised if it had been young hens, but 3/4 year olds? Just find it interesting. (I do not use artificial light in my breed pens, either, so it's not a result of added lighting.)

I often see folks talking about their Marans not being very good layers, but I sure haven't seen that in mine...anyone care to share thoughts on this from their own flocks?

 

[BCMaraniac]

The link I posted earlier is Kaussandra's thread. Here it is again:


https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/675898/graphic-pics-of-my-day-learning-to-caponize


Lots of info there and lots of helpful people.

 

[DMRippy]

I just received this nice note from a previous customer who received hatching eggs from me last summer. It just tickled me to pieces and I wanted to share:

Hi Wynette, I ordered hatching eggs from you last summer. We've had such a miserable, cold winter, but the two girls I kept from your eggs have kept laying right through it with no extra heat! Thanks to them, I've actually gotten eggs, because just about everyone else besides my Orpingtons gave up. The eggs have also stayed very dark! Thanks again!

This got me to wondering how other folks' Marans have laid for them over the winter. My hens stopped for three straight weeks, but two began laying a few of weeks ago. Interesting to me, the two that are laying are older hens - I'd not have been surprised if it had been young hens, but 3/4 year olds? Just find it interesting. (I do not use artificial light in my breed pens, either, so it's not a result of added lighting.)

I often see folks talking about their Marans not being very good layers, but I sure haven't seen that in mine...anyone care to share thoughts on this from their own flocks?

Mine are pretty good layers. They did lay pretty well though the winter. They are kinda off and on layers. They will lay really well for a few weeks then slack off a little for a few weeks then pick back up. They just started picking up and I am getting usually 7-8 eggs a day from 10 hens. My new pullets are laying about that well too.

 

[ladycat]

They are kinda off and on layers. They will lay really well for a few weeks then slack off a little for a few weeks then pick back up.

That's how mine do, too.

 

[CarolinaSkies]

I have 5 or 6 extra splash and blue copper Marans roosters that I posted on craigslist for $15.00 each, only expecting to sell a couple. However, someone wants to buy them all at $15.00 each, sight unseen except the pictures that I posted. I asked what they were using them for and was told for breeding. That's fine, the freezer is even fine, but who would pay $15.00 for the freezer?

I live in a state that allows rooster fighting and am concerned that my docile, Marans boys will be used for something involved in fighting. I have no idea what is involved in R-fighting, but I'm worried that they might be used for bait or sparring?. Any thoughts? I'd appreciate any opinions/suggestions.

 

[ChickCrazed]

I have 5 or 6 extra splash and blue copper Marans roosters that I posted on craigslist for $15.00 each, only expecting to sell a couple. However, someone wants to buy them all at $15.00 each, sight unseen except the pictures that I posted. I asked what they were using them for and was told for breeding. That's fine, the freezer is even fine, but who would pay $15.00 for the freezer?

I live in a cockfighting state and am concerned that my docile, Marans boys will be used for something involved in fighting. I have no idea what is involved in C-fighting, but I'm worried that they might be used for bait or sparring?. Any thoughts? I'd appreciate any opinions/suggestions.

I use my own "screening" process for craigslist. If the person responding doesn't speak proper English, with good grammar I don't reply and they never get an address or a meeting. I'm sure I accidentally weed out some nice folks here and there, but I think that the majority of the ne'er do goods tend to be on the uneducated end of the spectrum, and I have never had an issue with anyone I have moved forward with. I would much rather weed out a few good people than accidentally get into a situation with a creep! You might also ask for pictures of the hens they want to breed to, to see if they panic and go away. I would bet a c-fighter would be interested in the easy sale. The more questions and the more difficult you make it the better.

 

[jphendrix]

All of these are suppose to be blue and black copper marans, I don't know how old they are, forgot to ask when I got them from the feed store. What do ya'll think?I am moving them outside as soon as I can.

 

[Wynette]

All of these are suppose to be blue and black copper marans, I don't know how old they are, forgot to ask when I got them from the feed store. What do ya'll think?I am moving them outside as soon as I can.

From what I can see of the pics, looks like you have at least 3 males. Unfortunately, those purchased from a feed store may not be as likely to lay nice, dark eggs as those you'll get from a breeder; but, I wish you the very best of luck. They appear to be about 8 weeks, as I don't see any chick fuzz left (typically by 7-8 weeks, most of the chick fuzz is gone).

Please be careful to acclimate them slowly to the outdoor temps if you are in a cold area.

If you've not had them before, I'm quite certain you'll truly enjoy them! They are beautiful birds, and personally are among my favorites. Mine are super laid back, and inquisitive...good foragers, and goodness, you sure can't beat the beautiful eggs! BEST of luck with them - keep us posted on your new birds!