Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[xlboergoats]

This is not from experience, just throwing out some ideas. What about a utility knife or razor blade?

When toe punching or cutting the webbing, does anyone dip the utensil used in alcohol or boiling water for sterilization/infection prevention reasons?

We use rubbing alcohol. We have never had any problems.

Ernie Haire
Arp, Texas

 

[K Epp]

I'm going to look at both Black Cooper Maran and Cukoo Marans tomorrow. I have never had either. I'm new to the chicken world. I have a pair of Brown Leghorns, 2 EE Roos and 2 EE pullets. I had 4 pullets and have discovered that 2 of them are cockrels. The man I bought them from is letting me trade them for pullets. With 3 roos already I don't want anymore. I would like to add the dark eggs to my basket. ...if my girls ever start laying.

Is there any thing specific I should look for to ensure I get pullets? From the few pics I have seen the Maran hens appear to have small combs and waddles. Is there any difference in the Marans other than the color? I have read that the Black have darker eggs, but is there that much difference? Personalities?

 

[Eagle2026]

I'm going to look at both Black Cooper Maran and Cukoo Marans tomorrow. I have never had either. I'm new to the chicken world. I have a pair of Brown Leghorns, 2 EE Roos and 2 EE pullets. I had 4 pullets and have discovered that 2 of them are cockrels. The man I bought them from is letting me trade them for pullets. With 3 roos already I don't want anymore. I would like to add the dark eggs to my basket. ...if my girls ever start laying.

Is there any thing specific I should look for to ensure I get pullets? From the few pics I have seen the Maran hens appear to have small combs and waddles. Is there any difference in the Marans other than the color? I have read that the Black have darker eggs, but is there that much difference? Personalities?

You've done your research well!!!
About the same on disposition, I have had both and still do have Black Coppers, and I think the BCM are much prettier with the multiple coloring on the Roosters.
Once you've experienced a flow of some good BCM eggs coming in, you'll wonder how come you never picked them up before.

Choosing is as you know. Small come to none and dark. Final anwser!!!

 

[desertmarcy]

I decided to post some of the info pages on my profile page as it will be easier to find there and will not be lost .

OK, I found it! Thank you so much for posting it there. I printed it out.

 

[desertmarcy]

I just could NOT toe punch with the leather punch.... ours has a SOLID base and it looked like it would break toes if I used it. TILL I can get a better punch, I cut the webbing to make a notch. I liked that ok, but I need some thing sharper for sure. Suggestions? Siccors are never sharp on the ends and they seem too big too.

Do you have any of those small sewing scissors? I haven't tried mine, but they look like they would work.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
That might work..... I will look tomorrow morning.

 

[snowbird]

That might work..... I will look tomorrow morning.

Donna, for the slit you can use a sharp knife, exacto blade or any other sharp item, just put the foot on a piece of wood to do the marking.

The leather punch will work once you try it out will not hurt the chick, I have done thousands with the punch.

 

[Runawaylobster]

I'm going to look at both Black Cooper Maran and Cukoo Marans tomorrow. I have never had either. I'm new to the chicken world. I have a pair of Brown Leghorns, 2 EE Roos and 2 EE pullets. I had 4 pullets and have discovered that 2 of them are cockrels. The man I bought them from is letting me trade them for pullets. With 3 roos already I don't want anymore. I would like to add the dark eggs to my basket. ...if my girls ever start laying.

Is there any thing specific I should look for to ensure I get pullets? From the few pics I have seen the Maran hens appear to have small combs and waddles. Is there any difference in the Marans other than the color? I have read that the Black have darker eggs, but is there that much difference? Personalities?

My cuckoo marans is lovely, she is very friendly, follows me around the yard..... her name is Desdemona. I have about 40 other marans but they are babies so I don't know how friendly they will be... Desdemona doesn't lay very dark eggs though but her personality makes up for it.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
I will get this issue licked. I need to only mark a few because they LOOK too much like others. My leather punch has a Solid base for the punch to CUT on and that plat form is kinda big and if I put any pressure to cut I looks like the toes will be hurt. I can find another one that would work better. I like the amount of pressure you can apply with the leather punch. The little ones don't apple to me. A Exacto knife is a good idea too. Thanks.

 

[Hens and Roos]

I'm going to look at both Black Cooper Maran and Cukoo Marans tomorrow. I have never had either. I'm new to the chicken world. I have a pair of Brown Leghorns, 2 EE Roos and 2 EE pullets. I had 4 pullets and have discovered that 2 of them are cockrels. The man I bought them from is letting me trade them for pullets. With 3 roos already I don't want anymore. I would like to add the dark eggs to my basket. ...if my girls ever start laying.

Is there any thing specific I should look for to ensure I get pullets? From the few pics I have seen the Maran hens appear to have small combs and waddles. Is there any difference in the Marans other than the color? I have read that the Black have darker eggs, but is there that much difference? Personalities?

Depends on how old they are- boys will have redder combs and wattles- usually by 4-6 weeks we are able to tell. It seems like the more you can handle the chicks when they are younger the less freaked out they are when they are older(but not always....

). As to which ones to get that is a personal choice, we have cuckoos right now but did have a few BCM before (they had to many faults/DQ's to work with so we didn't keep them-girls went to someone wanting egg layers only). We don't have a lot of room to keep alot

.

Good luck and share some pictures when you get them!