Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Lotsapaints]

Quote:
Go buy come concrete stepping stones Karen that's what I use I still hang on to the fence too but I feel safer....the adobe mud is so slick and I love rice hulls way better than shavings and the chickens love to bathe in them before they get all wet they help stop the sliding......

Here's your chickie fix

Best hatch of shipped BC's ever 7 from 12 these came from rockinpaints I don't know what I was thinking I set 44 eggs for new years and I have 7 or 8 due Christmas.......CL ads I guess...didn't know how much I missed them either

 

[pinkchick]

Too CUTE Lostsa!!!!!!! Congrats on your hatch.

 

[Mamaperreca]

Ok ok. I am going to go pull the heat lamp out of the coop. I am also worried about a fire hazard.

The chicken math is already getting under way here. We have babies coming the first week of January. I know I am a dork for getting babies in the winter, but i can keep them inside for a few weeks and then I have the aforementioned heat lamp for them in the coop.

 

[Debbi]

Quote:
Then that makes quite a few of us dorks in here!!

I got a dozen eggs in the incubator right now, on day 11. That should be my last hatch till after the first of the year!

 

[Debbi]

Ivywoods ~ I feel for you there with no water! Happened to me last year, was without water for 13 days! The darn groundhog undermined my well house, and the well froze to the house, and with the frigid temps, froze all the way back to the well!

I collected snow from the roof runoff to flush the toilet and give the dogs. Glad I checked the wellhouse before this storm hit. Mr. Groundhog had made TWO holes this year! I've tried to trap him, but he's hibernating now. Chunked dirt and bubble wrap down the holes, and put boards with bricks over them. Pretty vision, isn't it?? I've got a bullet with his name on it come spring!

 

[Debbi]

Went out to the coop about 4 1/2 hours since the first trip this morning. Everyone was fine and peaceful. The water hadn't even gotten a "skin" of ice on it, so it's warmer in the coop than I thought. The sun finally came out, and that sure helps. Getting down to 2* tonight, but at least it quit snowing!

 

[Ivywoods]

We got well thawed and everyone watered. The hens were sure happy to see that water. Theirs was frozen solid, as was all the other waterers. The wind is still blowing a good clip, but not as hard as yesterday.

I got four eggs today.....all frozen. I wonder what it's going to take to get them to use the rollout nest. The lady that used this nest for years said put a little straw in it to make it more attractive to them, and I have done that, but so far I don't think any of them have been in it. I wonder if marans are not particularly fond of heights. They haven't even started using the roosts yet, either.

 

[sewandgrow]

Quote:
Go buy come concrete stepping stones Karen that's what I use I still hang on to the fence too but I feel safer....the adobe mud is so slick and I love rice hulls way better than shavings and the chickens love to bathe in them before they get all wet they help stop the sliding......

Here's your chickie fix

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/51426_100_1483.jpg

Best hatch of shipped BC's ever 7 from 12 these came from rockinpaints I don't know what I was thinking I set 44 eggs for new years and I have 7 or 8 due Christmas.......CL ads I guess...didn't know how much I missed them either

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR CHICKIES..............
I have a rice hull storage facility right across the street from me with a standing offer of whatever I need. I will send my son over with his pick up. I have some stepping stones around here somewhere too.......... I am always so worried that I might fall. These old bones wouldn't like that at all.LOL

 

[geebs]

Hey Don, I found what I think could be classified as a good looking male specimen... Would you critique it for me??? It is a blue ribbon bird but that doesn't necessarily tell you how much competition there was or the quality of it... What do you think of it...

This actually can be for everyone. I just address Don as he asked for a proper male so I am wondering if he thinks this might be one.

 

[bigoakhunter]

Quote:
It is still snowing here in Michigan. We got about 8 inches of heavy wet snow that is almost impossible to plow or shovel. Temperature is dropping, about 15* now. Wind has picked up and the side roads are drifting.

Birds did not want to come ou of coop. Only did when I threw out some cornmeal/buckwheat with corn pancakes to warm them up. they stayed out in run for a half an hour then retreated.


X2 waitng to see what Don think's of that roo.