Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Mamaperreca]

Debbi, we are here in Missouri too. I went out and put a heat lamp in the coop last night. Not sure I needed to it was surprisingly warm when I opened the door. I ran out and peeked my head in this morning and they were all still doing great. I also go a heated waterer going so that is taken care of too. We let the dog come in and warm up this morning too. Not sure he needed it either. We think he is a Husky mix and very fuzzy.

DH was worried because Francoise our Maran Rooster was not crowing this morning. He was fine, but had decided to stay in the coop and say NO thanks to going outside.

My dumb easter egger is still half featherless from her Molt.

 

[Debbi]

Hello Mamaperreca! I don't use heat sources. These guys have been well acclimated, and in my opinon, when you add heat it messes with that. Not to mention if the power goes out then they are used to the heat and, well, you get my drift? I just got in from the coop, and all were fine. It was pleasantly warm in there, well warm might be an exaggeration!

Took them some warm water and scratch, and opened the pop door. One of the big girls stuck her head outside, and promptly started scolding me, "close the door, you idiot woman!!" So I did. Looks like all were behaving themselves and getting along. The scratch will keep them busy for a bit. Will take them some hot oatmeal after I have some!

 

[pinkchick]

Quote:
Yum! Oatmeal.......such a nice treat for them. Messy, but a very nice treat!

 

[Hens and Roos]

We're cold here this am! Snow is still coming down a bit but is suppose to stop around 10am. Proabbly have at least 6 inches and the wind is blowing-we are still under a blizzard warning! It's 18* here. On days like this we don't open the coop to the runs and it stays pretty warm inside and everyone has enough room! DH is out plowing snow and the kids and I are making cookies-sugar cookies right now.

Have a good day!

 

[kathyinmo]

Cold, windy, a dusting of snow, and frozen water..... that's what I woke up to. Of all my breeds, only 3 came out of the coop with enthusiasm this morning.... Delawares, Barred Rocks, and Buckeyes. The others are just inching their way out. I don't think they like the new color of the ground.....

Got all my electrical supplies gathered yesterday. Using them today. I won't heat the coops, but I do use heated waterers.

 

[Debbi]

Quote:
Kathy ~ Do you know if they make battery powered heated waterers?? Electric wasn't incorporated into this coop. Come spring when the big coop gets done, it WILL have electricity! For right now, I just go out with hot water 4 times a day. When the snow gets deep, that will be a pain for sure!

Has it quit snowing out by you? It's still coming down here, albeit, sideways!

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
I don't know about battery powered heated waterers. I have never heard of them, but there might be. I would hate to tote water. You have my sympathy on that one!

No more snow coming down here. The wind has even died down quite a bit in the last hour or so, but it is still cold. We are not to get above freezing until Tuesday, so the forecast says.

 

[Debbi]

Oh good, maybe only an hour or so till ours quits. They said 1", but even without the drifting, we here already have about 3+". Seems odd looking out the window and seeing no chickens..

 

[sewandgrow]

I don't have the extreme weather so many of you are experiencing but the rain sure can make my life interesting. Going out to feed & gather eggs ( the Delawares & ducks being the only ones laying) is quite an ordeal. I open the pen gate & gingerly take my first steps holding on to the cyclone panels as I slip slide around..........LOL. I keep one hand firmly grasping the panels as I work my way around from pen to pen. I am sure someone with a sick sense of humor would get a kick out of watching me. I giggle just thinking about the picture I must make myself. I can only carry one bucket of feed at a time since I am one handed (hanging on for dear life) so it takes me 3 trips in & out & around. By the time I am through I am exhausted from the fight. I guess you can say it is a form of exercise huh?? LOL I can't wait for Spring to have dry ground to walk on again & everyone laying again.
My grand daughter ( she's 9) & I have her first 4H poultry meeting Monday night. I am excited. I so hope that she takes to this & enjoys it like I do. I am not pushing her but am giving her every opportunity I can. She chose Black Australorps not Marans but they are beautiful birds & I am eagerly awaiting their first eggs.
I really need to get busy chosing a new incubator for all the new eggs that will surely be coming eventually.....LOL. I am going to volunteer to help the 4H leader too. My husband has offered to make an incubator from an old refrigerator that we have. I bought the plans on Ebay last Spring. I just can't decide what to do. Have any of you out there tried the refrigerator plans????? Decisions, decisions, decisions.....LOL
Have a good day
Karen in Turlock California

 

[Ivywoods]

I just got up a little while ago. (I work until 3-4 in the morning.) Well is frozen up this morning. We have to keep heat on down in there, and we forgot to turn the durn thing on after the summer. It will take the well a bit to thaw. Bitter cold right now 7 degrees with wind chill -20 or so.

Hubby just read the metrodome roof collapsed from the snow. (He's a Viking fan.) 17+ inches of snow.

Thank goodness we didn't get that! Gonna have to wait for the well to thaw before anybody gets water.