Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[flgardengirl]

Love that Lil' Bill but he aint little LOL!!

I now have proof that turkeys protect chickens who are freeranging. I had always heard running turkeys or large birds especially dark ones with the chickens will deter hawks. Well yesterday, all the roos and guineas were putting up a fuss making all kinds of racket. I run out the door and standing in the middle of the yard was my BBB turkey hen all puffed up, neck extended and beet red. She was standing up very tall and walking towards something. At first I thought OMG it must be a wild male turkey because she looked twice her size and so red! Then I figured out it was one of the hens (I have no toms) and she was headed straight for a hawk who was on the ground heading for some dense shrubs where all the chickens were hiding. She didn't come when I called her but ran straight for that hawk who took off. Gotta love those turkeys!!

 

[pinkchick]

Flgarden~ Thanks! Yeah... he ain't so little anymore, is he? But I tell ya, he still has some catching up to do on Gnarles' last son, G2. G2 is huge!!!! I love the size that Bill Sr. contributes.

Glad to hear that your Turkey gal is doing a great job protecting the chooks. I had a turkey once.....he was a big baby and would sit on my lap....I miss him. His body outgrew his legs and he couldn't stand to walk or eat. My DH was so not happy to cull for me, this is the one that he made me promise that he would never have to do it again. Crazy how attached we get to them....and turkeys really do have some great personalities. My best friends Eastern's are totally humanized and don't believe they are turkeys.

 

[pinkchick]

Flgarden~ Thanks! Yeah... he ain't so little anymore, is he? But I tell ya, he still has some catching up to do on Gnarles' last son, G2. G2 is huge!!!! I love the size that Bill Sr. contributes.

Glad to hear that your Turkey gal is doing a great job protecting the chooks. I had a turkey once.....he was a big baby and would sit on my lap....I miss him. His body outgrew his legs and he couldn't stand to walk or eat. My DH was so not happy to cull for me, this is the one that he made me promise that he would never have to do it again. Crazy how attached we get to them....and turkeys really do have some great personalities. My best friends Eastern's are totally humanized and don't believe they are turkeys, with the exception of roosting on the peak of the house.

 

[DMRippy]

Speaking of Olive Eggers... I have two Olive Egger girls in with my Splash Marans (he has too many issues to be in my breeding program for Marans) I have been keeping those eggs for the past few days to see what I get, I think I will hatch them along with Pink's eggies. They will be second generations so should be nice dark green

 

[pinkchick]

Love that Lil' Bill but he aint little LOL!!

I now have proof that turkeys protect chickens who are freeranging. I had always heard running turkeys or large birds especially dark ones with the chickens will deter hawks. Well yesterday, all the roos and guineas were putting up a fuss making all kinds of racket. I run out the door and standing in the middle of the yard was my BBB turkey hen all puffed up, neck extended and beet red. She was standing up very tall and walking towards something. At first I thought OMG it must be a wild male turkey because she looked twice her size and so red! Then I figured out it was one of the hens (I have no toms) and she was headed straight for a hawk who was on the ground heading for some dense shrubs where all the chickens were hiding. She didn't come when I called her but ran straight for that hawk who took off. Gotta love those turkeys!!

Speaking of Olive Eggers... I have two Olive Egger girls in with my Splash Marans (he has too many issues to be in my breeding program for Marans) I have been keeping those eggs for the past few days to see what I get, I think I will hatch them along with Pink's eggies. They will be second generations so should be nice dark green

Hi Donna! Looks like I am snowed in today....will be trying for the post office tomorrow morning as the weather is suppose to let up....of course after it delivers its payload today. 18 eggies are all nestled away awaiting their trip.

 

[DMRippy]

Hi Donna! Looks like I am snowed in today....will be trying for the post office tomorrow morning as the weather is suppose to let up....of course after it delivers its payload today. 18 eggies are all nestled away awaiting their trip.

Morning

can't wait! I have been getting a few eggs from the pen with your boy and my girls so I may put them in to see what I am going to get from them too....

We have not had any snow to speak of this year... not in Nashville or the Farm. I know when I picked my Am's up it had snowed enough to cover the ground and make it pretty. I like a snow or two... just not the ones that keep me in the house or happen one right after the other. Since this is my first winter with chickens I am greatful it has been mild.

Can't wait to get the eggies..... so excited! I am really excited about Newnan too. Hubby said we could just go for the show and then go back for a real trip and visiting later... I was a little worried about traveling with eggs and kids and birds on the way back. Maybe my mother will keep the little guy for the weekend, that would help a lot. I would love to find some nice birds to breed.

 

[stoopid]

Aww, stop giving those awesome turkey stories.... I have ENOUGH birds already!
But I do have a peahen about 6 months old right now, hope she does the same.

 

[ZoiChick]

Wanted to WELCOME the New Marans Peeps to the forum!

Zoi~ Definitely get in touch on your way through!


Donna~ 16 lovely eggies are sittin' here patiently waiting to be wrapped tonight and mailed tomorrow.

I know there is more folks I wanted to respond to but I have since fogotten what it was and now I don't have the time to go back in the thread and re-read. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!!!!!!! Where's the WHINER emoticon Math Ace???????
[/quote]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gone for a day and you guys add nearly 10 pages. Thanks for the welcome and I will surely get in touch Pink when I go home for a visit. Since I've seen very few Marans in the flesh having the chance to see some of your beauties would be wonderful. It's one thing to digest the finer points of the breed, but developing an eye takes time. Sympathy on Clyde's reintegration issues and to Geebs on the loss of Charles.

For now I have one question on a silly hens behavior. It's no matter since these are not breeding quality, but the dominant hen in my little trio is virtually attacking the young rooster. She's teaching him manners to be sure and he is backing off. He tries but the girls have him a bit terrorized. Mostly they get along well but he is definitely the underdog. She's perhaps rejecting his advances due to the season? Or? ...... Hopefully he'll eventually assert himself. If not he's acting as their guardian at least. :/ Just wondering if this can be expected to go on or if it should resolve itself. He's a nice big broad boy with an unfortunate carnation comb

Meanwhile back to Lurk mode to absorb all I can while letting my small flock teach me their own lessons. Eventually you enablers will tempt me enough to jump in with both feet.

ZoiChick

 

[Hens and Roos]

Snowy day here- looks like our snow might be done- probably a good 2 inches and blowing a bit now. Going to try and get some up dated pictures of my Marans babies- they are about 8 weeks now and it looks like a few more might be boys- DH said that 1 we thought was a girl tried to crow several times this am

So I will take a few pictures and let everyone help me out.....

 

[mama24]

I have a bcm pullet who has no tail. what little she has curves down instead of up, looks just like a rumpless Aracauna's tail. Any ideas what could have caused this and what it means? Her vent looks normal and isn't dirty, so she must hold it up when she poos, but I can't help but wonder if it's going to affet her egg laying. Thanks for any thoughts.