Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Bethel3330]

Hi
Ok so you wait 2 molts ( that's a long time) and the bird does correct.    What then? Is this really a trait you want to set in your gene pool?  Have to tell chick buyers, "Uh, you might have to wait at least a year or 2 before your bird looks normal.". Or have folks in the Marans fancy look at birds and say, "Hey, that's a clankeyes bird, I can tell by the wonky feathers when they are young.". Is that really what you want?
 Best,
 Karen

I think they meant juvenile molts. They go through something like 6 molts by the time they're a year old.

 

[carnivore]

Yes, you have 3 cockerals.  Once the boys start feeling their hormones, 4 is way too many for 6 girls (they will be fine until then).  I personally would not have less than 6 pullets per cockeral and preferably 8 - 12 in a community flock. 

X2! I generally keep 1 cockerel per 5 pullets when they're young. When problems start arising (and they will), I cull the worst offenders until I have a ratio of 1 to 10. If I have an offender that has outstanding traits otherwise, he gets a separate pen. But for the added trouble, he has to be really outstanding.

 

[SIMZ]

I have 11 BCM chicks and it looks like 9 are cockerels. I also have 4 Ameraucana chicks in with them. At best I'll be keeping one of the cockerels, so that means 8 of them are headed to freezer camp and this is basically a meat bird pen. Can I feed this entire group "Meat Maker" feed (22%, I think) without adversely affecting the pullets and keeper male? I'll most likely get the keepers out by around 8-12 weeks and put them on a more normal grower/poultry feed.

Thanks!

 

[BCMaraniac]

I have 11 BCM chicks and it looks like 9 are cockerels. I also have 4 Ameraucana chicks in with them. At best I'll be keeping one of the cockerels, so that means 8 of them are headed to freezer camp and this is basically a meat bird pen. Can I feed this entire group "Meat Maker" feed (22%, I think) without adversely affecting the pullets and keeper male? I'll most likely get the keepers out by around 8-12 weeks and put them on a more normal grower/poultry feed.

Thanks!

I start my chicks out on a 28% gamebird starter feed for 2-4 weeks, then switch to a starter/grower that is 21%. I have had no problem with my breeders by doing this...... The thing I don't know is what other things are different in the meat maker compared to the starter/grower.

 

[SIMZ]

I start my chicks out on a 28% gamebird starter feed for 2-4 weeks, then switch to a starter/grower that is 21%. I have had no problem with my breeders by doing this...... The thing I don't know is what other things are different in the meat maker compared to the starter/grower.

Thank you! I'm not seeing a lot of difference between the two except that brand's grower is 18% instead of 22%. I think I'll go ahead and use it.

 

[Wantaraisechick]

My first Blue Copper Marans rooster is right at 20 weeks old. His feet and legs are absolutely HUGE! They are bigger than the 18 month old Buff Oprington I have. Are all Blue Copper's feet this big? Will he grow into them?

 

[cluckcluckluke]

My two FWM's with their White Leghorn rooster.

Same bird (above) (below).

 

[Runawaylobster]

My first Blue Copper Marans rooster is right at 20 weeks old. His feet and legs are absolutely HUGE! They are bigger than the 18 month old Buff Oprington I have. Are all Blue Copper's feet this big? Will he grow into them?

Nice Avatar!

 

[Wantaraisechick]

Nice Avatar!

Thanks! And same to you! As you probably know I borrowed it from the internet, somewhere. Is it your picture?

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
Is there calcium in it? I use a 22% layer feed but not for the younger birds, just the layers.