Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Illia]

Quote:
My BCM's, dark as they lay, are my most dependable layers, so I'm in no rush for a better bird. The BCM x NH so far lay 6 a week.

 

[Wynette]

Illia, I was going to just post the same thing! I have absolutley NO complaints about the layability of my Marans. They are very dependable layers, giving me 5-6 eggs per week for the first 2 years, and around 4 a week the 3rd.

 

[Ivywoods]

Quote:
Another idea is what I have under my sun conure's cage. It is a tray that you set a washing machine in. I got it at Menard's. It's very lightweight but fairly sturdy. TSC sells some plastic trays that you can use when building wire cages. They slide under one cage so you can stack another on top of it. I think they cost more than the trays that you put under the washing machine. These would be a fixed size and I don't know if you need to use something that you can "customize" but they are just ideas.

If you need to make them a specific size and don't want to mess with sheet metal, I would use 1/4" masonite, laminate, coated plywood or something like that, then 1" board around the edges for a lip and reinforcement.

 

[Wynette]

Ivy, I love those pans that you put under a washer, but for me, the edges aren't high enough. I like to put shavings in the pan so the poo doens't stick to the bottom, and the edge on those is only a couple of inches high. But for sure it would be super easy to clean - just hose right out!

 

[Ivywoods]

I guess I don't use shavings quite as deep. The appliance tray measures 32" x 30" and 2 1/2" deep. Under my stacking wire cages the tray is only about an inch deep. I put pine shavings in the bottom of it, and the poop comes right out. The only problem I've had with my wire cages is these BCM's have poops so BIG it doesn't fall through the wire. Then it freezes in the cage and I have frozen poop golf balls to pick out of the cage.

Anyone for a game of golf?

 

[Wynette]

POO GOLF! Hmmm...interesting.....

I noticed the same thing in my breeder cage (smaller birds/same issue).

 

[flgardengirl]

Since its all going in the compost anyways you could line the bottom with newspaper and put a thinner layer of shaving over it. I have been thinking about poop boards or just putting in a wire floor with big plastic tubs under it and then I could pull out the tubs and dump them. No more shoveling or scraping the floors then at all lol. I could just powerwash them a few times a year lol. I have a friend who does the wire floor with the bins under it...works out pretty good for her but she is in a mild climate as well. I don't know if it would be practical in a really cold area.

 

[Wynette]

Yeah, that for sure wouldn't work in Michigan.

 

[Illia]

Wow.

I went out to get some more photos of the BCM girls, since I have so few photos of them, and again, my favorite pullet from Wynette's eggs was nowhere in sight.

Oh well. Will post pics anyway in a bit.

 

[Illia]

Okay, this one is especially for cowgirlgrace - This is one of the hens I bought from you. Isn't she just insanely, hilarious, umm, chesty?

This is the same hen I was showing earlier in the fact that she's bigger than my Davis hens.

And now, a few other girls. . .

This is a Davis (Cree Farms) girl, has a serious fold in her comb but lays some very nice eggs.

Another Cree Farms hen; the blue pullet behind her is blinking her eye, not blind.

Three of my Wheatens relaxing in our rare winter sun.

The girl standing in the center is my best hen, the one on the left is my worst and will be replaced this spring.