Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[gilavina]

Hey Debbi.... how are ya feelin? Did ya get over to see the Amish about your boys then? The little bit of the day that I did get out to enjoy, it was lovely....I'm hoping tomorrow will be nice tomorrow as well since I have a day off.

 

[Cadeau]

Aww Gilavina, she looks SO sweet!

I need some of those gorgeous, gigantic birds here in PA!!
My blues are huge, but I need a nice big boy to go with them!

Just hatched a big, blue boy, so, hoping he grows up nice enough to breed back to his mother!

 

[MuffsnFluff]

Hi Everyone! Been awhile since I've posted, but I've been keeping up with the thread faithfully

My two little boys don't leave me much posting time though! Anyways, George and Frank's harem has started to lay and I've been getting some marans eggs for about two months now. Mostly I think the supposed jeanne/davis hens, and the egg color has been OK, but I was kinda dissapointed!

Not horrible, but not what I was hoping for! But they're beautiful chickens and I was OK with it..... until yesterday when it was below freezing all night and we went out late in the afternoon to gather and feed and water, and clear out any frozen eggs, and my little 2 1/2 year old son told me there was "an egg in there Boo can't reach" (we call him Boo) so I went to get it and about fell over! I did in fact scream and he thought something was wrong

Well, this is what I found:

With the other ones I've been getting that barely squeak in as a 4 on the chart

The cottage hill gal is FINALLY laying, lol!!!! I am so totally over the moon. Anyways, I was excited and had to share

But she would have picked the coldest day of the year so the egg would have a big crack in it, sigh....

Been trying to round up pix of the guys for oppinions on which should be the main breeding rooster this year but it is kinda tough to get them to cooperate for good front side and overhead pictures!

Busy being uncooperative to a young gardener, they're unconvinced they should really move

Or you about have the perfect overhead picture and you click the shutter and a hen walks by... which does make for a rather interesting picture! (sorry rascals

)

Anyways thought I'd share right quick

 

[gilavina]

Quote:
thanks! She is just the sweetest thing ever. I think I've made a friend for life with her since she was so close to death. Now you wouldn't even be able to tell!

I saw your blue girls! I went back to comment but lost my internet and realized when you said that I didn't ever go back to comment. I like the blue girls, but think if you find a nice boy with a longer back and retain the offspring with a bit longer back you'll find that they won't hold their head and neck back so far or hold out their breasts so prominently. Basically, it will just help them balance their weight a bit more.

Have you posted pics of this little blue boy? I love seeing babies!

 

[gilavina]

Quote:
congrats on the egg! I would scream too! Hopefully she'll lay you another one that you can find before they freeze!

 

[math ace]

Quote:
WONDERFUL egg color AND size on that new egg.

SUPER cute picture with your son and the two roos. They almost look like pet dogs in the pics LOL....

 

[Cadeau]

Thanks Gilavina!
I really like them, but they are rather short backed - makes them sort of look like cartoon chickens with the big fluffy breast, when they're on guard!!

I have to get pics of the chicks from New Year's Day for a photo op!


I was just looking at him and I think he might disprove the "white fuzz falls off/doesn't grow back in" theory. His leg fluff is mostly yellow, but I can already see colored feathers coming in underneath (with yellow fluff still attached.)

I'll do my best to get pics tomorrow!!


I also need more details on how to sort out the hens and tag the chicks!

I need to figure out how to group them, how many color groups I'll have, so I can order bands and find vet wrap

Do just group by bloodlines for now until I know what they produce or keep them separated by bloodlines forever??

 

[gilavina]

Quote:
We can PM more about it if ya want. I'm happy to answer questions

 

[Cadeau]

Gorgeous egg,

M&F!!
and love the farmer - send him over anytime!!


My hatcher drawers don't have a top, meshed or other otherwise...

What is the top made of or how can I fashion one??

 

[Cadeau]

Thanks Gilavina!