Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[PsycoPeep]

Ok. I'm really getting incredulously jealous over here. I can't find anyone local to sell me these guys! I'm mostly looking for a variety of color when it comes to my egg laying hens. I have 3 amerecaunas (one's mixed w/a buff cochin), but they're straight run. So IDK what I've got. I have no adults, just chicks ranging from 1-4 weeks. I'm brand new to chickens and am buying my starter flock. I want a wide variety of colors for my eggs, but it's been kinda hard finding what I'm looking for. I went to a swap that was pretty much dead last Sat and this Sat I'm going to another one which is suposed to be a lot bigger. No, I don't have to have everything all at once, but it's just hard and also disapointing when you're so excited about something but yet can't find what it is that you REALLY want. {{{sad face}}}

 

[Runawaylobster]

Ok. I'm really getting incredulously jealous over here. I can't find anyone local to sell me these guys! I'm mostly looking for a variety of color when it comes to my egg laying hens. I have 3 amerecaunas (one's mixed w/a buff cochin), but they're straight run. So IDK what I've got. I have no adults, just chicks ranging from 1-4 weeks. I'm brand new to chickens and am buying my starter flock. I want a wide variety of colors for my eggs, but it's been kinda hard finding what I'm looking for. I went to a swap that was pretty much dead last Sat and this Sat I'm going to another one which is suposed to be a lot bigger. No, I don't have to have everything all at once, but it's just hard and also disapointing when you're so excited about something but yet can't find what it is that you REALLY want. {{{sad face}}}

don't get depressed... it just takes a while to get the set up you want they key is that it takes time and a bit of determination. I had no blue egg layers, and i still haven't but i have the pieces of the puzzle in place.. I started about 13 months ago and i am really only just now beginning to feel things are settling into place.. you will definitely get there it just takes time.. if you weren't so far i would try to help but i'm clear on the other side of the country..

I bought chicks and i had a horrible experience, when i opened the box 10 of them were dead and the rest were sneezing i had to cull them all... so after that i just decided no more chicks, just hatching eggs. I have had no problems since and now 13 months later i am hatching my own eggs and making my own breeding decisions.

Hatching is really addictive though so be careful

 

[Hens and Roos]

Ok. I'm really getting incredulously jealous over here. I can't find anyone local to sell me these guys! I'm mostly looking for a variety of color when it comes to my egg laying hens. I have 3 amerecaunas (one's mixed w/a buff cochin), but they're straight run. So IDK what I've got. I have no adults, just chicks ranging from 1-4 weeks. I'm brand new to chickens and am buying my starter flock. I want a wide variety of colors for my eggs, but it's been kinda hard finding what I'm looking for. I went to a swap that was pretty much dead last Sat and this Sat I'm going to another one which is suposed to be a lot bigger. No, I don't have to have everything all at once, but it's just hard and also disapointing when you're so excited about something but yet can't find what it is that you REALLY want. {{{sad face}}}

are you looking just for layers or are you planning to breed in the future?

 

[PsycoPeep]

OMG on your chick story! I've been hearing so many stories that it's starting to freak me out! I don't even have an incubator, yet. And they're so expensive that it'd take me awhile to save up for one.

I'm mostly looking for egg layers, but MAY be willing to have like one rooster. But for now, mostly just eggs.

 

[Runawaylobster]

OMG on your chick story! I've been hearing so many stories that it's starting to freak me out! I don't even have an incubator, yet. And they're so expensive that it'd take me awhile to save up for one.

I'm mostly looking for egg layers, but MAY be willing to have like one rooster. But for now, mostly just eggs.

check on craigslist there are usually good deals on incubators..just make sure you clean it well. Or you could make one there are many videos on youtube on how to make incubators out of coolers..

getting boy chicks is just something you have to plan ahead for ...

 

[DMRippy]

Special Action Requested
Would you please help us say "NO" to the United States Post Office's plan to raise shipping rates on the poultry you order?​

Dear Valued Murray McMurray Hatchery Customer,
It has come to our attention the Post Office is requesting a change to the shipment of poultry through the mail. The following link is a copy of the proposal in PDF form or You can read the proposal on-line at the Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/04/24/2013-09603/new-mailing-standards-for-live-animals-and-special-handling
They are asking that a Special Handle Fee be charged on every Live Animal Shipment. This proposal would increase the postage amount by $9.00 to $11.95 per box.
The proposal outlines the new fees to be charged but it does not include any new rules to insure us that service would also improve. Nor does it offer how additional funds would address their concerns about; Protection of Postal Service employees, mail and the environment, or animals against death.
Please read the proposed changes and send your comments to the US Post Office. We have included a link to a sample letter (in MS Word) for your use. (Sample Letter Link)
Make your voice heard, do it today. The comment period ends next week May 24. Thank you for your continued support.

​

Letters and e-mails must be submitted on or before May 24, 2013, by sending to the below address or Emailed to [email protected], with a subject line of "Live Animals".
The Manager, Product Classification
U.S. Postal Service
475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 4446
Washington, DC 20260-5015
RE: 39 CFR Part 111 New Mailing Standards for Live Animals and Special Handling

​

 

[Chickenman76]

may I ask who laid the blue ones?

The speckled one looks like the ones my barnies lay? Is that weird?

 

[pinkchick]

Are Marans eyes supposed to be yellow or brown? I have 2 with brown eyes and the rest have yellow eyes so I'm hoping that yellow is correct otherwise I'm in trouble, lol. It was such a nice day out yesterday that I needed to take some pics, here's a few of my Marans out and about.

Nice pictures! Looks like you and the chickens were having fun! Marans should not have yellow eyes. The correct eye color for Marans is an orangy pumpkiny color, someone else will have to give you the correct color name, I just call it pumpkin.

 

[pinkchick]

Would you breed or cull ?

With only one photo, at first glance, I would be inclined to say cull if you have other roosters to choose from. In this photo it appears that his back narrows too much near the tail break and also his tail appears to be too high or aka: squirrel tail. To be fair to the bird and you, it would help to give a better opinions if maybe you could post more photos of him from different angles.

 

[pinkchick]

Donna~
On that splash boy of yours.......do you have another photo of his comb.......I am wondering if what you are explaining about the comb is like his grandfathers and is uneven serrations. Lil Bill has and Gnarles had points with uneven serrations. I do not worry too much about these as it can be worked on later.
I am seeing nice combs and good points on my young ones now.

In the realm of all things considered MARANS.......IMHO, this is one of those smaller things that I don't sweat.
I am loving his coloring......you got more photos of him?