Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Debbi]

Yes, from what I've heard, there are some folks with supposed bantam Marans. Have you tried contacting the breed clubs? As for the chocolate, and I assume you are referring to the eggs, they more than likely are nowhere near as dark as the standard sized chickens. Try contacting some of the breeders or officers of these clubs, maybe they can help you.

http://maransofamericaclub.com/

http://www.maransusa.org/

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
There are a few Marans Bantams being worked on that I know about two people in Ohio and the one that just sold the eggs that were being talked about in the thread you were talking about. The egg color is no where like the large Black Copper. Don

 

[NicoleRM]

Quote:
That is interesting.

I did find bubble wrap locally, but not stryofoam peanuts yet. I haven't looked too hard yet either. I wasn't planning on doing any shipping for another 6 months - 1 year, so I wasn't prepared this time around when someone asked for a favor. . . . .

POPCORN and the air popper to go with it I DO HAVE on hand. . .

Did they bubble wrap the eggs too? How many were broke?

They were wrapped and placed in a carton, and the popcorn filled the voids in the box the same way you'd use the peanuts. I don't recall any being broken.

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
Go to the Penedesenca thread and look for Star2525 Victoria , she has been doing a lot of work with the Marans Bantams. Don

 

[Wynette]

Quote:
There are a few Marans Bantams being worked on that I know about two people in Ohio and the one that just sold the eggs that were being talked about in the thread you were talking about. The egg color is no where like the large Black Copper. Don

I know someone that will be getting eggs from one of the Ohio breeders...the pic that was sent of the eggs was VERY light. They would not even register as a purebred Marans per the egg colour chart. But perhaps type is being worked on first, and then they will work on egg color (?)

 

[Ivywoods]

Okay. Here are some pics.

Here's some of the gang.

My nest box I built last night.

Oh, yes. We can clear a 6 foot fence. No problem.

To keep it marans... Leghorn, 4 marans, one BO, Leghorn.

 

[Debbi]

Oh Susie, looks like you did really good there, they are very nice! Seems they are loving your nest box too! Great job!!

 

[Wynette]

Yes, nice nest boxes! You could probably sell those on Craigslist or Bestfarmbuys! Nice job.

 

[Debbi]

Took one of the cull cockerels, Slick, to meet his new owner today. Just walked out in the run and picked him up with no problem, and put him in the dog crate. He was fine, but the rest of the flock was beside themselves, screaming and cackling. They all watched as I put the crate in the truck, then drove off. When I got home, ALL of the chooks were standing at the gate craining their little necks to see if Slick was back. No Slick. I walked out to them and got a bunch of conversation from the pullets, probably a good old chicken cussin'.

They truely seem like they know he's gone, it was really kind of sad. Seems to be lots more room in the coop though now with just one less!

 

[geebs]

Reply about bantams: Not only is the egg color not there, the size of the birds are far from acceptable except in two instances that I know of. It is definetly a work in progress that is best left to really credible breeders until there is something to offer.

As far as wrapping: I use bubble wrap individually (two layers) and I space them with a buffer of either foam or peanuts etc between them.... I ship in USPS boxes an I ship whatever number I have. Whether it is 16 or 26. I buy a box that will safely ship..not trying to SWEEEEZZZZEE an extra egg or two... that could foil the shipping experience. .I fill in the corners so the egg don't get near em and I puncture proof both the top and bottom of the box and add extra padding.... I do not worry about the added weight as I would prefer to send the eggs safely for the money... I have had no complaints and extremely good hatch rates always over 50 percent...usually 75 or better. I do not believe in box within box (just me) or egg carton shipment (my worst hatch rates have come that way) with a 20 percent hatch rate being the highest in that style of shipment... They have arrived both cracked and scrambled. Donna Gherke's packaging is where I took "lessons". I had great hatch rates and was really impressed with the shipping method. Haven't seen anything better IMHO.

Anyone going to post some chickens for critique???