Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[pinkchick]

Quote:
GERMAINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOOD TO SEE YA GIRL!!!!!! Stop staying away so long!

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Good Morning Pink! Yes I won't do it again

 

[pinkchick]

Quote:
I should say so......that was an awfully long time missy!

 

[pinkchick]

Germaine~ How are those boys maturing? Got any new updated photos?

 

[Ivywoods]

I went out this morning, and the chicks seem to be just fine. When I looked in the tank.... I mean brooder they looked up at me with a stink eye look like I was invading their territory.

I still have the heat lamp on out there. It's still been pretty cold. High temps have only been in the low 20's. If it starts warming up into the 30's I'll switch the heat lamp for a regular bulb, but I think it's probably still too cold for them to go without something for heat. Depending on the weather, I'll switch them to a wire cage in the barn after that.

We were up off and on all night with a nubian goat that is going to have her first batch of kids. I hope she doesn't wait until my hubby and I are both at work later today to have them. They often don't make it when they are born in this cold weather.

As far as determining the sex of these guys, I'm looking at combs and wattles. The little roo has a larger comb and larger, redder wattles. He is the biggest one of the bunch, but I'm sure that is not always a reliable variable. We debated for quite a while wether the third one was a pullet or a roo, but she's shaping up to be of the feminine gender.

 

[pinkchick]

Glad to hear they did well overnight, Ivy. Hope your goat situation goes smoothly. Silly mamma goat wanting to kid right now, she should have planned her date nights better last fall, I'm thinkin"!

Seriously, I hope all goes well with her.

 

[math ace]

My turn, My turn . . . .

I have some eggs that are to due to hatch in one more week.

In all my previous chick raising experiences - - I have used mulch as their bedding.

I was

told that I should not use that.

I need to be told - - AGAIN - - what to use and where to get it.

Thanks ya'll

 

[pinkchick]

Math~

Normally I use pine shavings and have not had any issues. This time I was too lazy to run outside and get some so I just used that rubbermaid shelf and drawer liner, not crazy about it as it allows the babies to see the poops better and they peck at it.....EEEEWWW! But I do like the traction that it provides for them. They are doing good but I will go back to the shavings.
Some folks use papertowels and they have had great luck with them.

 

[Hens and Roos]

We start with paper towel in the brooder(small animal cage) so that we can sprinkle the food on it for them to find easy. After about 1 week we switch over to pine shavings and they do fine, at that time we add a small chick food tray-just the bottom. We clean it about once a week or sooner-depends on the number of chicks and how mess they are. Ours also sits in our kitchen so it is easy for the kids to handle.

What date are yours due to hatch? Our 2nd incubation is set for Jan 23rd. Good Luck

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Good luck Math Ace.

Pink, I managed to narrow the roos down to 3. I have about 15 hens and they vary in type and egg color but most are very nice. I am going to throw a different roo over each of the girls every 3 month and see what they produce.

The dark eggs are so addicting darn it! I always feel like I find treasures when I peek in the nest boxes!

It's been the longest, coldest, wetest, snowiest winter ever here and I am not enjoying it! Come on warm weather, mama needs some sunshine