Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[gilavina]

I am still feeding Kale, Swiss Chard, Beets and Red Cabbage out of last years garden (to the chickens and ourselves). Last week we had 3 nights in a row of 24 deg. weather and not much warmer in the day. I went out to the garden and the Kale leaves were frozen solid. Went out yesterday and it looked perfect! Very hardy stuff and the chickens love it, especially when they are locked up in the breeder pens! My Welsummers even eat the huge Swiss Chard bulbs, the BCM will only eat the leaves, little Princes and Princesses

my hope is to have greens for over this coming winter. I didn't do much gardening last year with my dad in the hospital for so long and with the long hours at my job. Hopefully I'll be on track for this year to have a winter garden as well

 

[gilavina]

Thank you very much! Eases my mind and is exactly what my DH said. Trust me, I will be keeping a very close eye on her.

haha I believe that! Electrolytes and the like are always a good idea to give her a boost if you have them on hand

 

[Zanna]

my hope is to have greens for over this coming winter. I didn't do much gardening last year with my dad in the hospital for so long and with the long hours at my job. Hopefully I'll be on track for this year to have a winter garden as well

Lots of pumpkins and winter squash too! They keep really well and the plants make great ground cover in the garden to help with weed control. I have never actually planted a winter garden, it is all stuff planted Spring/Summer. Broccoli also keeps well all winter, just keep it picked, don't let it go to bloom and you will have enough side shoots (after picking the initial main head) for stir fry's even when there is snow on the ground!

 

[Hens and Roos]

wish me luck- just put 4 cuckoo Marans eggs into lock down- due to hatch on Sat. already have 1 Andalusian egg pipped

we are in for a cold spell here we are at 19 degrees here right now- guessing that the chickens will be staying indoors for the next few days to a week.

 

[pinkchick]

Donna~ Sure thing my friend! I will definitely share!



Hi Zanna! I'm still feeding stuff from last years gardens too. Pumpkin, kale and the last of the Rainbow Chard that goats didn't eat. :/ Silly goats! They ate almost everything that they could when they escaped once this fall.

 

[gilavina]

Lots of pumpkins and winter squash too! They keep really well and the plants make great ground cover in the garden to help with weed control. I have never actually planted a winter garden, it is all stuff planted Spring/Summer. Broccoli also keeps well all winter, just keep it picked, don't let it go to bloom and you will have enough side shoots (after picking the initial main head) for stir fry's even when there is snow on the ground!

yeah, I usually have a huge garden since I grew up learning how, just had to give up last year because I knew I would have no time to work on it. Here in Nebraska, its not nearly as forgiving as up your way in Washington and Oregon. Usually can extend the fall season pretty well with covers and cold frames. If the greens get started early enough and also go under cover they can be harvested from all winter long and then can take the cover off to let them grow in the spring when it warms up. I haven't gotten quite to gardening 12 months out of the year in this climate, but can usually harvest well between march to about mid to end of october. Then have the greens during the coldest months. I keep aiming for harvesting year round tho.

 

[pinkchick]

My goats didn't eat the Chard bulbs, but they sure cleaned up most of the leaves and you are right when you say that Chard is hardy.....YEP YEP!
Up here we have had as low as 16 degrees at night in the last week and half and when the temps hit over 40 during the day...those stupid plants spring right back up to attention.

 

[Zanna]

Hi Pink! I know goats can be little stinkers but I will have some one day!!!

Back to Marans Setting these eggs with what else is layed tomorrow. My firstTest mate eggs from my original BCM hen, two of her daughters and my new Cockeral and Cock. Praying for no DQ's as are we all!!! Always scary bringing in new stock..............

 

[vebyrd36]

Very pretty

Hi Pink! I know goats can be little stinkers but I will have some one day!!!

Back to Marans Setting these eggs with what else is layed tomorrow. My firstTest mate eggs from my original BCM hen, two of her daughters and my new Cockeral and Cock. Praying for no DQ's as are we all!!! Always scary bringing in new stock..............

 

[pinkchick]

wish me luck- just put 4 cuckoo Marans eggs into lock down- due to hatch on Sat.  already have 1 Andalusian egg pipped

we are in for a cold spell here we are at 19 degrees here right now- guessing that the chickens will be staying indoors for the next few days to a week.

Lots of luck coming to you! I hope you have a great hatch!