Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Wynette]

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That's funny.........................I've been feeling blue & I don't even have blues........LOL

Don't feel blue...here you go!

Does that help?

 

[Debbi]

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Wynette,

Even if you opened another thread, this thread seems to just move very quickly with all involved. It would be the same scenario with a new one too. I like the suggestion someone made, Walt?, about the non APA Marans thread. Those who only want nice chooks and eggs. JMHO

 

[snowbird]

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Wynette, I believe you will always have people that will always come along and say they are afraid to post, when they would not post if it was a church thread. I belong to a much larger forum not related to chickens and we hear the same statements there also. These forums are like a family atmosphere, with family you will also have disagreements. What has to be weighed is are the thread beneficial to a large percentage of the interested people. I have received PMs also and some people just do not have the temperment to be involved with a forum or thread. I have also received PMs that you would not want to see posted on the forum.

I like the giving of actual critiques that are truthful , not something to just make someone feel better . I just like to be up front about everything.

 

[sewchick]

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It was fun.

 

[Wynette]

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It was fun.

(as a reminder...when a thread is locked, it's against the rules to re-open a new one of the same subject. Sorry...just had to add that! And here I just said I post in here without my mod hat on. Whooopsie...please forgive!)

 

[Ivywoods]

I just ordered an incubator. It should be here within a week. I'm saving my marans eggs that are 6, 7 and 8 on the scale. (sometimes it's hard to say just what "number" they are. Hold them one way they look like a 7 hold them another way they look like a 5 or 6!) Anyway, I hope those girls keep laying. I've got what I "think" is my best rooster in with them. I could have a fertility problem because I have some BJG and BO pullets in that pen, and that roo may have more than he cares to do. There is a total of 13 hens in that pen.

This will be my first attempt at hatching for a few years. I had a sportsman incubator, and we had great hatches. I sold that incubator to my sister when I moved and didn't have a place for chickens. I didn't want to spend what they want for a sportsman now, nor did I want to hatch as many as I used to, so I am getting a "reptipro" with two egg turners. I will be able to hatch about 32 at a time.

I raised a lot of chickens when my kids were younger. My daughter had been treated for a brain tumor and was handicapped. When one of her chickens won at the fair (a houdan) it was about the happiest day of her life. One of her favorite things was to go out and collect eggs. She was always the first to do that. It was like she was on an Easter egg hunt every time, and she was always excited about what she found.

When my daughter died (she had a hard-fought battle for 10 years) at the age of 17 I lost all interest in raising chickens. We gave all my chickens to my sister. My sister has done very well with them at local shows and even started a poultry club for 4-H kids and any other interested people. She took great care of my chickens, and I am going to have her hatch some of the rosecombs from the ones she got from me. I gave her a trio of my marans. The rooster got "Stuck" behind some boards in the barn and died later, so I'm going to give her another rooster.

It has taken a while, but my excitement about chickens has been returning slowly. I find these marans an interesting challenge. I wish everyone the best in their breeding/hatching programs, and maybe we will meet someday at a show or something.

 

[Wynette]

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I am always truthful in ANY feedback given - here, in my personal life, in my work life...

I just feel like often, we can word things in a way that's not so...on the edge, and/or gives better feedback. For example (and this is a silly example, but you get the drift):

Not this,
"Man, that's the ugliest comb I've ever seen - are you sure that's even a Marans?"

but this,
"His comb has too many/not enough points."

NOt this,
"His legs are too short, and he's too narrow in the back."

but this,

"His legs are short in comparison to his overall balance; he could also use more width in the back." (this actually gives better feedback as a whole than the previous statement)

Okay, so some of you are rolling your eyes, and calling me mamby-pamby. That's just fine - but both examples get your point across; one is just a bit gentler. I'll stress that BOTH ARE FINE for posting here. Just sayin'......my opinion.

 

[fowlman01]

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Great statement. This is why I usually say "this is how I do it, but it may not work for you". A person can know all the genetic formulas and rules, but it doesn't mean that it will come out that way when dealing with chickens. The old time breeders bred by the seat of the pants and a lot of good common sense and experience. They tended to be much more successful than we are now. When you say "the simple things are not known to everyone", that includes people who are considered successful at breeding. Many simple poultry hatching, growing breeding "tricks" from the old days are now lost because no one wrote these things down.

These forums have become an excellent place to pass on that info, but the down side is that these sites also create "experts". I don't really know anyone who is an expert poultry person. Some just know more than others, we are all learning and will until we die.

I always appreciate your input Don.

Walt

 

[Debbi]

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I am so sorry to hear of your loss

I am glad you are finding some joy again in chickens. Peace and prayers to you.

 

[Wynette]

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Ivywoods...thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing such a personal & heartfelt story! I'm so glad that you are getting excited about chickens again! I have to say that I, to this day, after many years of having chickens, still feel like your daughter did about collecting eggs!