Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[pinkchick]

rockyspringsfarm!!!!!!!!!

 

[littledel]

I think my Black Copper roo is breeding my pullets to death...My five month old BC roo, (Wade Jeane line) has started wanting to breed and crow alot over the last 3 weeks. He is chasing any pullet he can corner. Problem is, he is HUGE (about 6 pounds already), and over twice the size of the poor pullets he has been chasing. I found one hurt beyond help and I thought she was sick. Upon further examination, her breastbone was broken. I found another one dead and another one with a hurt leg, but it is fine now. I did not realize at first what was going on, until I caught him in the act. He simply won't get off the pullet after finishing his business. I don't believe it is intentional, but that he hasn't realized he is hurting them. The ones he has hurt are the smaller ones, the older pullets are fine. Has anyone else ever had this happen, and is it common for BC roos to get this big and aggressive this fast. My other marans roos are not this big, just this one. And he is an absolutely beautiful bird. Will take pics later today of him.

 

[pinkchick]

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I am sorry to hear that.

This young man is not using his manners and would find himself living in a bachelor pad by himself for sometime and then I would be inclined to give him my orneriest and oldest Barred Rock hen that would teach him a thing or two. Seriously though if he is causing trouble and heartache like that...........remove him for a while to a place where you can give him only older bigger hens, the older the better, I wish I could send you my BR and one of my Buffs that won't take any stuff from anyone, they'd fix him right up.
I run all my cockerels starting at 3 mos of age through one of my established laying flocks with Bill my favorite roo. Bill doesn't mind juvies and lives with them quite peacefully even after their hormones start racing. He will not let any other roo touch his ladies, if they try Bill comes running and those boys either get body slammed off or they run.

 

[TurkeyMountainChickens]

Quote:
I am sorry to hear that.

This young man is not using his manners and would find himself living in a bachelor pad by himself for sometime and then I would be inclined to give him my orneriest and oldest Barred Rock hen that would teach him a thing or two. Seriously though if he is causing trouble and heartache like that...........remove him for a while to a place where you can give him only older bigger hens, the older the better, I wish I could send you my BR and one of my Buffs that won't take any stuff from anyone, they'd fix him right up.
I run all my cockerels starting at 3 mos of age through one of my established laying flocks with Bill my favorite roo. Bill doesn't mind juvies and lives with them quite peacefully even after their hormones start racing. He will not let any other roo touch his ladies, if they try Bill comes running and those boys either get body slammed off or they run.

I agree about putting him in with the big girls. I don't think he's trying to hurt them either - he's just young and stupid. He should become better behaved with time. It certainly wouldn't hurt any to have an older roo put him in his place, either!

If you don't have bigger hens you can put him with. at least seperate him from the younger pullets. I wouldn't want to see any more of them hurt!

 

[littledel]

All my stuff is young, but I do have about 12 welsummers that are about 5 months old and bigger than the BC's, and 3 of them are roos. Maybe he could go in with them and the Wellies may teach him some manners. Right now I have them free ranging, so the pullets can RUN.

 

[snowbird]

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This is a male for sure.

 

[jeremy]

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This is a male for sure.

What makes you say that snowbird? It seems like this chick has the thread divided,

 

[Wynette]

I would think cockerel due to the excessive coppering, and in the last pic, those are some honkin' huge/thick legs!

 

[chicken danz]

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I have Cuckoo Marans and have some with clean legs and some with feathered legs. I just happen to prefer the feather legged birds. I prefer all of my feather legged birds. They just look more friendly and cuddly that way. Not that I go out and cuddle my chickens. I would like to see us go the opposite direction of France, breeding for more feathers on legs.

 

[jeremy]

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So maybe Bertha is... Bert? Sad day!

I think due to all of the confusion, I'll hold on to this chick for awhile longer, my other young cockerel culls are going to new homes this weekend.