Vicki~
Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!
- Thread starter Wynette
- Start date
DM and Vicki~
Lovely Eggs Ladies! Those ruby reds are my all time favorite color of Marans eggs!
Lovely Eggs Ladies! Those ruby reds are my all time favorite color of Marans eggs!
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That is scary. We are planning on buying land in the western U.P. and we would have to worry about black bears and wolves...what with the wolf population going up, some people there are saying that they see wolves crossing streets and you could see black bears in the driveway off a restaurant and resort (those are their 'gangs'). I need to start practicing at the shooting range. I might not shoot at the bear but make a warning shot; I've never seen a wild bear or wolves before but I'd imagine wild dogs could get pretty nasty.
We lived not too far from the east gate of yellowstone park for a few years. Every predator you can think of out there. Grizzly and black bear, wolves, coyote, mt lion etc. They all love to eat them some chickens. I had barred rocks when we lived there and a few leghorns. We had one coop back then and it was built pretty tight. We had to let the chooks freerange because it was easier for them to escape than to let a bear tear down thier fencing and come in to get them. I loved it out there and hope to go back to live eventually. We were there as medical travelers and the pay wasn't really good enough to stay back then. Maybe someday we can retire there though.
That is scary. We are planning on buying land in the western U.P. and we would have to worry about black bears and wolves...what with the wolf population going up, some people there are saying that they see wolves crossing streets and you could see black bears in the driveway off a restaurant and resort (those are their 'gangs'). I need to start practicing at the shooting range. I might not shoot at the bear but make a warning shot; I've never seen a wild bear or wolves before but I'd imagine wild dogs could get pretty nasty.
We lived not too far from the east gate of yellowstone park for a few years. Every predator you can think of out there. Grizzly and black bear, wolves, coyote, mt lion etc. They all love to eat them some chickens. I had barred rocks when we lived there and a few leghorns. We had one coop back then and it was built pretty tight. We had to let the chooks freerange because it was easier for them to escape than to let a bear tear down thier fencing and come in to get them. I loved it out there and hope to go back to live eventually. We were there as medical travelers and the pay wasn't really good enough to stay back then. Maybe someday we can retire there though.
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Vicki ~ I agree with Lynette, sounds like a hawk to me. It's getting to be time for their migration here in the midwest, so they are seriously looking for easy food now, trying to bulk up for the migration. Migration usually starts in Oct., but who knows with this weird weather we have had this year?? I've noticed, and so have the chooks, that the Red Tail hawks and the Cooper's Hawks are out in force here lately. Sorry about your girl, keep us posted on how she does.
Vicki ~ I agree with Lynette, sounds like a hawk to me. It's getting to be time for their migration here in the midwest, so they are seriously looking for easy food now, trying to bulk up for the migration. Migration usually starts in Oct., but who knows with this weird weather we have had this year?? I've noticed, and so have the chooks, that the Red Tail hawks and the Cooper's Hawks are out in force here lately. Sorry about your girl, keep us posted on how she does.
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thanks everyone for the kind words...you guys are about the only people that really get why I'm so bummed about a chicken dying.
I bought a couple of treats for my chickens and went out and gave them some when I got home...the group she came from just isn't the same without her....(you know the worst part? she came from the darkest splash egg I had, why must it always be that way?)
I suppose it could have been...although I admit I didn't think of it because there is heavy tree coverage in the back yard. I purposely let the trees grow a nice thick canopy over my pens and the backyard where they free range for that very reason. All I know is that I'm keeping a close eye out and keepin the birds penned up for now. Some of them are NOT happy about it, but they are getting treats to make up for it.
On the up side of things...I got an amazing muskmelon at the farmers market this morning....it made the whole truck smell so good. And the weather is really good today...sunny but cool and breezy
thanks everyone for the kind words...you guys are about the only people that really get why I'm so bummed about a chicken dying.
I suppose it could have been...although I admit I didn't think of it because there is heavy tree coverage in the back yard. I purposely let the trees grow a nice thick canopy over my pens and the backyard where they free range for that very reason. All I know is that I'm keeping a close eye out and keepin the birds penned up for now. Some of them are NOT happy about it, but they are getting treats to make up for it.
On the up side of things...I got an amazing muskmelon at the farmers market this morning....it made the whole truck smell so good. And the weather is really good today...sunny but cool and breezy
Quote:
thanks everyone for the kind words...you guys are about the only people that really get why I'm so bummed about a chicken dying.
I bought a couple of treats for my chickens and went out and gave them some when I got home...the group she came from just isn't the same without her....(you know the worst part? she came from the darkest splash egg I had, why must it always be that way?)
I suppose it could have been...although I admit I didn't think of it because there is heavy tree coverage in the back yard. I purposely let the trees grow a nice thick canopy over my pens and the backyard where they free range for that very reason. All I know is that I'm keeping a close eye out and keepin the birds penned up for now. Some of them are NOT happy about it, but they are getting treats to make up for it.
On the up side of things...I got an amazing muskmelon at the farmers market this morning....it made the whole truck smell so good. And the weather is really good today...sunny but cool and breezy
Vicki, Yes, it seems the best are the first to get had, I empathize. Google Cooper's Hawk. They hunt within the wooded and shrubbed areas. They are the ultimate chicken hawk, even though they are much smaller than our Marans. I'd never even seen one here...until I got chickens!
thanks everyone for the kind words...you guys are about the only people that really get why I'm so bummed about a chicken dying.
I suppose it could have been...although I admit I didn't think of it because there is heavy tree coverage in the back yard. I purposely let the trees grow a nice thick canopy over my pens and the backyard where they free range for that very reason. All I know is that I'm keeping a close eye out and keepin the birds penned up for now. Some of them are NOT happy about it, but they are getting treats to make up for it.
On the up side of things...I got an amazing muskmelon at the farmers market this morning....it made the whole truck smell so good. And the weather is really good today...sunny but cool and breezy
Vicki, Yes, it seems the best are the first to get had, I empathize. Google Cooper's Hawk. They hunt within the wooded and shrubbed areas. They are the ultimate chicken hawk, even though they are much smaller than our Marans. I'd never even seen one here...until I got chickens!
Quote:
thanks everyone for the kind words...you guys are about the only people that really get why I'm so bummed about a chicken dying.
I bought a couple of treats for my chickens and went out and gave them some when I got home...the group she came from just isn't the same without her....(you know the worst part? she came from the darkest splash egg I had, why must it always be that way?)
I suppose it could have been...although I admit I didn't think of it because there is heavy tree coverage in the back yard. I purposely let the trees grow a nice thick canopy over my pens and the backyard where they free range for that very reason. All I know is that I'm keeping a close eye out and keepin the birds penned up for now. Some of them are NOT happy about it, but they are getting treats to make up for it.
On the up side of things...I got an amazing muskmelon at the farmers market this morning....it made the whole truck smell so good. And the weather is really good today...sunny but cool and breezy
Vicki, Yes, it seems the best are the first to get had, I empathize. Google Cooper's Hawk. They hunt within the wooded and shrubbed areas. They are the ultimate chicken hawk, even though they are much smaller than our Marans. I'd never even seen one here...until I got chickens!
looked those up...sure don't look familiar....around here its red tail hawks we deal with. They are pretty big too...bigger than ones I see elsewhere. I live next to an old cemetary so we have tons of trees and space for them to nest. I have yet to see one ever make it under that tree cover I've got. I saw one try once and miscalculated a bit and got smacked pretty hard by a small branch as he tried to dive through the coverage....that's the only time I've seen them try anything. I've got some pics of the cemetary floating around on my computer that I've taken...I'll have to post a couple...it is a beautiful place
thanks everyone for the kind words...you guys are about the only people that really get why I'm so bummed about a chicken dying.
I suppose it could have been...although I admit I didn't think of it because there is heavy tree coverage in the back yard. I purposely let the trees grow a nice thick canopy over my pens and the backyard where they free range for that very reason. All I know is that I'm keeping a close eye out and keepin the birds penned up for now. Some of them are NOT happy about it, but they are getting treats to make up for it.
On the up side of things...I got an amazing muskmelon at the farmers market this morning....it made the whole truck smell so good. And the weather is really good today...sunny but cool and breezy
Vicki, Yes, it seems the best are the first to get had, I empathize. Google Cooper's Hawk. They hunt within the wooded and shrubbed areas. They are the ultimate chicken hawk, even though they are much smaller than our Marans. I'd never even seen one here...until I got chickens!
looked those up...sure don't look familiar....around here its red tail hawks we deal with. They are pretty big too...bigger than ones I see elsewhere. I live next to an old cemetary so we have tons of trees and space for them to nest. I have yet to see one ever make it under that tree cover I've got. I saw one try once and miscalculated a bit and got smacked pretty hard by a small branch as he tried to dive through the coverage....that's the only time I've seen them try anything. I've got some pics of the cemetary floating around on my computer that I've taken...I'll have to post a couple...it is a beautiful place
Yes, here too, the majority of the hawks are Red Tails. Once in awhile, we will have a Gos or a Harrier show up, and the Bald Eagles in the late spring, but I'd never seen a Cooper's until I got the chickens. They can manuver easily between buildings, trees and shrubs, and will fly low and fast. I was just sitting out on the deck, and the Turkey Vultures are out enmass this morning. Love to hear the "alert" calls from the roos, but once they see them for a bit, they seem to know they are just vultures, and go about their business. Three of the young pullets decided to venture out of the run this morning, I hope they have sense enough to come back in tonight, or I'll be down three birds! Roy is going crazy trying to herd them over to the flock, of which they want no part of.
Are you getting this great weather up there?? Wow, I had to come inside because I was COLD!
It was 54 here this morning, with highs expected in the mid 70s, that's my kind of weather!!
Met my new Grandson, Tucker Cole yesterday. What a cutie! Just over 6 months old, and crawling and pulling himself up to stand! He is going to be a big boy, already 27" long, Daddy is 6'4". He's a nice, mellow, and happy baby too, that sure makes life easier for his Mom and Dad!
Are you getting this great weather up there?? Wow, I had to come inside because I was COLD!
Met my new Grandson, Tucker Cole yesterday. What a cutie! Just over 6 months old, and crawling and pulling himself up to stand! He is going to be a big boy, already 27" long, Daddy is 6'4". He's a nice, mellow, and happy baby too, that sure makes life easier for his Mom and Dad!
Hens and Roos
Songster
Okay, here are 2 pictures of the newest chicks hatched from my test project. Out of the 5 eggs that made it to lockdown only these 2 hatched. The other 3 eggs looked to have just about fully formed chicks but didn't make it.
Black chick hatched 8-30-2011 from Blue Marans hen x Blue Cuckoo Marans cockeral:
Blue chick hatched 8-30-2011 from Blue Marans hen x Blue Cuckoo Marans cockeral:
I really like the coloring of this blue chick, from what we can see of the combs on both chicks they look good but I guess time will tell.
Debbi, glad to hear that you had a great time visiting!
Black chick hatched 8-30-2011 from Blue Marans hen x Blue Cuckoo Marans cockeral:
Blue chick hatched 8-30-2011 from Blue Marans hen x Blue Cuckoo Marans cockeral:
I really like the coloring of this blue chick, from what we can see of the combs on both chicks they look good but I guess time will tell.
Debbi, glad to hear that you had a great time visiting!
Quote:
thanks everyone for the kind words...you guys are about the only people that really get why I'm so bummed about a chicken dying.
I bought a couple of treats for my chickens and went out and gave them some when I got home...the group she came from just isn't the same without her....(you know the worst part? she came from the darkest splash egg I had, why must it always be that way?)
I suppose it could have been...although I admit I didn't think of it because there is heavy tree coverage in the back yard. I purposely let the trees grow a nice thick canopy over my pens and the backyard where they free range for that very reason. All I know is that I'm keeping a close eye out and keepin the birds penned up for now. Some of them are NOT happy about it, but they are getting treats to make up for it.
On the up side of things...I got an amazing muskmelon at the farmers market this morning....it made the whole truck smell so good. And the weather is really good today...sunny but cool and breezy
((HUGS)) We sure do know how it feels to lose a chicken that you are close to. I get especially attatched to my hens. I guess I expect to get to keep them and not send them off to freezer camp so I think I'm gonna get to have them around for awhile. Then something hideous happens. I have a few that I think about every day since I lost them
I still miss my good blue roo that got killed by a hawk.
Don't underestimate hawks. Not only do they attack from the sky (which is the norm). I've seen them walk right up to a brooder of chicks and try to get in or peck them through the wire. Since they have extremely sharp hard beaks they can peck hard enough to knock out a full grown chicken even if they aren't swooping down from a really high place. I have seen them sit up on a short dead tree and wait looking through the brush for something to attack and they also manuever easily through the Live Oak tree limbs on a regular basis to get squirrels in our yard. I think they really prefer to get the squirrels but some of the newer juvie hawks have been targeting chickens and baby ducks instead. They are evil (but beautiful lol).
Hens and Roos: What little cuties. I need to get hatching on my cuckoos. It has finally cooled off and my golden cuckoo girls have just started laying again, yeah.
thanks everyone for the kind words...you guys are about the only people that really get why I'm so bummed about a chicken dying.
I suppose it could have been...although I admit I didn't think of it because there is heavy tree coverage in the back yard. I purposely let the trees grow a nice thick canopy over my pens and the backyard where they free range for that very reason. All I know is that I'm keeping a close eye out and keepin the birds penned up for now. Some of them are NOT happy about it, but they are getting treats to make up for it.
On the up side of things...I got an amazing muskmelon at the farmers market this morning....it made the whole truck smell so good. And the weather is really good today...sunny but cool and breezy
((HUGS)) We sure do know how it feels to lose a chicken that you are close to. I get especially attatched to my hens. I guess I expect to get to keep them and not send them off to freezer camp so I think I'm gonna get to have them around for awhile. Then something hideous happens. I have a few that I think about every day since I lost them
Don't underestimate hawks. Not only do they attack from the sky (which is the norm). I've seen them walk right up to a brooder of chicks and try to get in or peck them through the wire. Since they have extremely sharp hard beaks they can peck hard enough to knock out a full grown chicken even if they aren't swooping down from a really high place. I have seen them sit up on a short dead tree and wait looking through the brush for something to attack and they also manuever easily through the Live Oak tree limbs on a regular basis to get squirrels in our yard. I think they really prefer to get the squirrels but some of the newer juvie hawks have been targeting chickens and baby ducks instead. They are evil (but beautiful lol).
Hens and Roos: What little cuties. I need to get hatching on my cuckoos. It has finally cooled off and my golden cuckoo girls have just started laying again, yeah.
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