Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[jphendrix]

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!

Thank you! The feed store I bought them from gets them from a breeder that I have actually met and been out to his farm. I am in SE Ga so the weather is pretty good here. We are going to put a heat lamp in the outdoor pen so that if they do get cold at night they do have a source of heat. I can't wait for them to grow up and see what they look like!

 

[doubleleft]

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.

There is no such thing as 'bait & spar' in chicken fighting . Your marans will not fight/or not bred to fight in that respect (i think you are confusing the dog lingo with chicken) .
Meeting at a very public place is pretty safe (if in doubt always bring friend or someone w/you).
oh ... yes the young well fed roosters bring this price and more for eating/freezer all the time at auctions(even more sometimes) .

 

[Wynette]

I'm honestly always dismayed when I see things like this...this is part of the reason there are so many ill-bred, poor quality Marans out there.

Folks...please strongly consider putting your cull cockerels in the freezer rather than selling them. I mean no offense, and I realize many people "cannot" dispatch their own birds. However, there are PLENTY of folks out there who will do it for you.

 

[doubleleft]

I'm honestly always dismayed when I see things like this...this is part of the reason there are so many ill-bred, poor quality Marans out there.

Folks...please strongly consider putting your cull cockerels in the freezer rather than selling them. I mean no offense, and I realize many people "cannot" dispatch their own birds. However, there are PLENTY of folks out there who will do it for you.

I thought they were being sold for the "Freezer" ........... maybe i mis-read it .

We will never stop the passing off of Inferior Marans as they appear at the auctions every sale day (over & over & over).
I over heard someone at auction saying ' they thought $10 for a dozen of Marans eggs was rediculously high' .... lol ... (what can we expect from that mentality)

But the sale for food is the answer for many that don't want to butcher .

Shannon

 

[Wynette]

I thought they were being sold for the "Freezer" ........... maybe i mis-read it .

We will never stop the passing off of Inferior Marans as they appear at the auctions every sale day (over & over & over).
I over heard someone at auction saying ' they thought $10 for a dozen of Marans eggs was rediculously high' .... lol ... (what can we expect from that mentality)

But the sale for food is the answer for many that don't want to butcher .

Shannon

Honestly, putting a price on a cull cockerel of $15 is not going to get you calls for folks wanting them for the freezer. JMO, of course everyone needs to do what they're comfortable with. I do disagree, though, that "we will never stop the passing off of inferior Marans..." the answer is for those who are in the know about them to stop passing them off. The more folks who discontinue this practice, the better. Again, JMO.

 

[doubleleft]

Honestly, putting a price on a cull cockerel of $15 is not going to get you calls for folks wanting them for the freezer. JMO, of course everyone needs to do what they're comfortable with. I do disagree, though, that "we will never stop the passing off of inferior Marans..." the answer is for those who are in the know about them to stop passing them off. The more folks who discontinue this practice, the better. Again, JMO.

you undoubtly did not read what i wrote before ..............

And a 'perfect world is worth wishing for' (we can only do our best and encourage others likewise) .

 

[doubleleft]

you undoubtly did not read what i wrote before ..............

And a 'perfect world is worth wishing for' (we can only do our best and encourage others likewise) .

young well fed roosters are sold at auctions for $15 and plenty more(according to appearance and condition) for food ( there are people out there that do not eat meats from grocery stores and a rooster like this is considered the prime rib to them) .
One will go broke in a hurry trying to sell $15 breeder Marans at auction ! more like $5 .......

 

[Wynette]

That's great that you can get so much for them in your area - around here, cull cockerels sell for MAYBE $3 each. Awesome for you!!

 

[elorraine52]

my BS marans hen, the only one the predators left me last summer....

 

[Wynette]

my BS marans hen, the only one the predators left me last summer....

Awe...so sorry to hear it. I have so many fox on my farm I can't range mine unless I'm there to watch them the entire time. It's pretty nerve wracking, truck be told, so I typically don't do it very often. I give them lots of dark, leafy greens in their pens to partially make up for it nutritionally, although I don't think there's a complete substitute for free range time.