Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[sewandgrow]

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There you go Mel...........That is a good start & if I remember correctly you are within driving distance to Kim. Good for you. I am sure you will be well equipted in no time.....LOL

 

[sewandgrow]

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Oh Kirstie, how exciting. Love that egg color too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We need to talk....LOL

 

[Ivywoods]

I think I solved my "too many roosters" problem. There's a guy at work who is pretty much penniless. He can't read or write. He will take the roosters and butcher them for food.

I will give them to him. He can eat them, and I won't have to feed them and worry about keeping them all separated.

 

[rsquared]

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Ivy, after 11 years in Dallas and 15 years in Denver, never thought I would process a chicken.....guess what:!! Yup, you guessed er, learned how to process/skin my excess Roos as opposed to the hot water, plucking....grossssss, mess. I pull the best of the best and raise them to an older age for decisions on breeding. The other guys are put into their own pen and fed a slightly higher protein feed sans the amprolium and then either take them to my local processor-charges $2 ea, or if there are only a few I'll cull and skin them here and braise them. They aren't big enough or tender enough to do fried or roasted chicken IMO. You can do it if you make it over the mental hurdle......that was my challenge.

My other option is to encourage some of the BY chicken folks who purchase pullets from me to take one of my nice Roos, not breeding worthy, as a flock guardian due to the hungry hawks and falcons around here. Always make sure they are nice Roos as folks are pretty leery. Naughty boys go to Chicken heaven here.

Regards,

Risa

 

[Mountain Mel]

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Most importantly, your kindness will be feeding hungry people. Excellent decision!
Jeremiah Johnson is on amc right now! My favorite (one of) movie!

 

[rsquared]

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Great idea Ivy, I also do the same, in nice weather, w/ a local family who was out of work for several years. Though I do an "exchange" sweet corn or whatever garden produce they have in excess for a supply of my excess roos...very nice in spring and summer as everyone benefits. PS The father does their own processing.

Risa

 

[Ivywoods]

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Most importantly, your kindness will be feeding hungry people. Excellent decision!
Jeremiah Johnson is on amc right now! My favorite (one of) movie!

Speaking of feeding the hungry... I've got 7 hungry baby goats that are ready for their next meal. Adios!

 

[VillageChicken]

I posted this on the Black Copper thread, but it's kind of ailing at the moment... no one's there anymore!

Okay, finally my turn to submit some roo pics.
They are 16 weeks, hatchmates from UK lines.
One is much darker, and has put all his resources into his frame as he is much bulkier and his feathers are coming in very slowly. He also walks awkwardly and stands with his legs closer together even though he's broader than the other. His secondaries haven't come in yet, so he looks split-winged. I like his head and comb better than the other.
The lighter rooster was crowing at 7-8 weeks, and at 16 weeks is already doing his thing with the 20 week hens in his pen. His frame is more slight despite what the pictures may show, though his feet are bigger than the darker roo. He has put all his resources into his feathers rather than his frame. I'll post pics again in a few months when they even out and are more mature. I know that the dark roo is probably too dark to pair with correct hens. His copper is coming in very slowly.
Let me know what you might see in these two. Interesting note: The darker roo has lighter horn and clearer eyes. The lighter roo has eumelanin deposits in his left eye.

 

[MareeZoCool]

Dang! Every time I look at some new photos, I am totally convinced that I MUST include these breeds in my flock of chickens! My husband is gonna scream!

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rant

too bad.

 

[kurka]

VillageChicken: I would take the darker one. He looks healthy and fine.
The dark spot in the eye of the lighter one is a sign of a some kind of injury in body. Is everything o.k. with the beak of the lighter one? In that portrait photo it looks damaged..