Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Mountain Mel 22]

Okay...I have to say this...

The more I read of posts from the ladies who are regulars on this thread (you know who you are, and Ivy is one of you) the more humbled I become. You gals fix the fence, mow the lawn, chase the critters, kill the varmints, care for the critters (and your loved ones), go to work (where you probably smile all day, even when you don't feel like it inside), you probably also buy the groceries, make sure the bills are paid on time...the list just goes on and on!
I honestly have more respect for you ladies than I do for my male friends who might work an 8 hour shift and come home to collapse in the chair and expect to be waited on for the duration of the evening. You ladies are a credit to your sex and I just can't say enough about you, other than that there are too few of you in the world and WAY to few of you in Western Washington.

 

[Debbi]

Oooo! I forgot to ask this before! Speaking of "Dude looks like a Lady", today while I was sitting in the run, supervising chick intros, and just enjoying the birds in general; I noticed something I had not seen before today! I have one hen that is a hatchmate of Clyde and Roy, who has always been a "spatty" hen. If she's not enjoying the romancing from a roo, she will spar him off, and I mean just like a roo with flared hackles, feet flying, and everything! Well, while watching her today, I noticed...she has SPURS! Not tiny spurs, but spurs like a 10 month old cockerel would have!

This is the first time I have had chickens, and the luxuary of having the time to observe them, so while I may have had this before in previous years, this really took me aback! We are talking about 3/4" spurs on a hen! What's up with this?? Too much testosterone? She does lay eggs. What causes this? Is it something to steer away from when breeding??? Or does this happen sporadically? Shes' a nice hen, typey, but over melanized, almost clean legged, which is odd seeing as how her hatchmates both have proper shank/toe feathering. So what gives here??

 

[Debbi]

Quote:
Now don't be too disappointed. My garden is in. My red leaf and bibb lettuce are ready to start picking. The collards and beets are looking good. The onions are looking Fantastic. I am pretty sure the peas are ready to pick too!

To brocolli is doing well too.

Suppose to get 1 to 2 inches of rain in the next 24 hours, so the garden should really take off.
I can't wait to make a salad. There is nothing as delicious as home grown lettuce. So rich, like butter melting in your mouth!

Ok, that's a tad TOO much!

Makes me want to move to FL right NOW!!!!

 

[Debbi]

Quote:
Thank you. We are a rare breed, and it takes very special men to appreciate that. Too bad there aren't any around here. We do what we have to do; by choice, or by necessity. I won't wait for or depend on someone else to do it for me. If I can't do it myself, I'll just have to work around it. Thank you Mel for acknowledging that!

 

[math ace]

Quote:

Dang MEl, I think that might of been one of the sweetest things anyone has ever said to me or acknowledged about my life. I am sure you weren't specifically thinking about me, but Mel that is what my life is like and only my DH truly appreciates all that I do here.... My own family (mother, sisters, etc ) just thinks my life is ooooo so easy! Thanks again Mel

 

[Mountain Mel 22]

Quote:
My Cuckoo Marans hen has bigger spurs than either of The Blues Brothers and bigger spurs than I have seen on most Roos. When I have somebody here to hold her(maybe tomorrow afternoon) I will take pics of these spurs. I've NEVER seen anything like it!
I've never seen anything even close to this on my RIR's, New Hampshires, or Golden Comets.

 

[Mountain Mel 22]

Quote:

Dang MEl, I think that might of been one of the sweetest things anyone has ever said to me or acknowledged about my life. I am sure you weren't specifically thinking about me, but Mel that is what my life is like and only my DH truly appreciates all that I do here.... My own family (mother, sisters, etc ) just thinks my life is ooooo so easy! Thanks again Mel

I was ABSOLUTELY thinking about you.!

 

[gilavina]

Quote:
how old is she? It can happen from time to time on girls, that they will get spurs. Although I can't remember at the moment if it is a fault or a DQ when showing. I think I've only seen it a handful of times on any birds I've raised or my dad's raised.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
here I am asking all you girls to marry me I tried to woo y'all with my chickens and my cooking skills and im getring nowere freekin lovely

If you can cook & clean, why do you want a full-time night woman?

Women are a lot like fancy cars...they are a lot cheaper to rent than they are to own. Now, I'm sure that comment will have me in everybodys' good graces!

Hubby said you aint LYING!

I say we are worth it!

 

[gilavina]

Quote:
Thank you. We are a rare breed, and it takes very special men to appreciate that. Too bad there aren't any around here. We do what we have to do; by choice, or by necessity. I won't wait for or depend on someone else to do it for me. If I can't do it myself, I'll just have to work around it. Thank you Mel for acknowledging that!

I have to second what you said Debbi. Things have to get done...chores, errands, to do lists, etc all don't care who I am...so to borrow Kim's phrase, ya just put on your big girl panties and get it done. I know with my education I could live in a big city and make a decent living, but that's not where my heart is. I will do the work I have to, in order to have a life I love.
and I wanted to say thanks as well for you acknowledging us Mel!