Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[prettychicks]

Quote: I believe the SOP says the middle toe feathering is a fault, not a DQ. Legs without feathers is a DQ. I looked into this because most of my first breeding roosters were feathered on the middle toes. I now have others which are not but are very lighty feathered on the legs. Generally, moderate leg feathering is preferred over the light feathering. Christie Rhae has the book. Perhaps she can quote it for us.

Quote: I love building things. Though I often get in over my head and need to ask DH for help. He helped build a house for his mother and each of his brothers. I do all the designing. A challenge when using pallets and leftover lumber of various sizes. It's a puzzle for the brain.

Quote: Update--as of this morning, still no losses. two are recovering well. CM is now sternal but needs help to reach food and drink. I'm leaning toward a riboflavin def perhaps brought on by unpalatable feed. As I mentioned, I bought new chick feed, and they are digging in to that. Instead of laying around, I see chicks at the feeders all the time. And I also noticed that the SS still at the Feed store are almost twice as big as my SS from that same hatch. Hmmm. Another kind of puzzle for the brain!

Barn Goddess, why did you cull thechick? Did it not recover and thrive?
I am so glad they seem to be doing better. Keep us posted.

 

[Arielle]

Thanks Arielle! i didn't know about 10 sq ft per bird.....OMG, I need more and bigger pens....LOL

More is better. One of my groups has about a 15 x 20 pen, and many hop the fence for better entertainment elsewhere. The rest just free range and cover hundreds of feet. ANd then com home to roost! LOL

 

[Buckhunter76]

That's it

. Does anyone know of a real BCM breeder here in South Eastern Ohio? If so please let me know, even if their a breeding trio, Iv'e got to have pure bred

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote:
I have a Black Ameraucana hen that crows on occasion! I've got the video to prove it. Posted it on BYC not that long ago, in fact. She lays eggs regularly. I've even hatched them. And those off-spring are now laying eggs. I gather it has to do with excess testosterone, however, it doesn't seem to be effecting her in any sort of negative way that I can see. She can also be a bit of a bully with the other hens but she's also a total sweetheart with me.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

My Black Ameraucana hen crowing ....

 

[chicknfun]

I thought I would post a pic of my Marans roo. I have no idea what he is supposed to look like, exactly, but I love looking at him, with all the irridescence in his feathers, etc.
I took the pics from outside the pen because he would not stand still for camera when I went inside. And of course, the best pic I could get was him laying down, so can't show leg feathering.
I know the pics aren't great, and he is a little wet, as we had a reeally heavy storm shortly before I took the pics. Are they smart enough to go in the coop out of the rain??

My silkie roo wasw soaked to the skin....goofy birds

Also, what does 'mossy' mean with feathers? is that the irridescence? Mine has lots of that, and some purple and blue irridescence too, is that a good thing with Marans?

 

[Blarneyeggs]

DesertMarcy, I know nothing... having said that. Your birds look nice to me! and to have that many to choose from, cool!

So, my destined for 'cull' chick made it through the night. Chirping ALL the way, I MUST move the incubator out of my bedroom immediately!. I popped her in a brooder with a newly hatched Orp for company. She IS eating! and there is a Marans hatching right now. zipped all the way... been that way since 5 this morning.... This one looks dark.

Debbi, I did not know there was a white variety of Marans, I kind of thought my neighbor made it up. The depth of my ignorance is truly inconceivable. Perhaps THIS is why he doesn't want me to breed? (not my ignorance, but because they're white?) Anyway, here he/she is, I wish I could say she's wet, but it's that glue sticky stuff that is like cement. Poor thing.

 

[prettychicks]

DesertMarcy, I know nothing... having said that. Your birds look nice to me! and to have that many to choose from, cool!

So, my destined for 'cull' chick made it through the night. Chirping ALL the way, I MUST move the incubator out of my bedroom immediately!. I popped her in a brooder with a newly hatched Orp for company. She IS eating! and there is a Marans hatching right now. zipped all the way... been that way since 5 this morning.... This one looks dark.

Debbi, I did not know there was a white variety of Marans, I kind of thought my neighbor made it up. The depth of my ignorance is truly inconceivable. Perhaps THIS is why he doesn't want me to breed? (not my ignorance, but because they're white?) Anyway, here he/she is, I wish I could say she's wet, but it's that glue sticky stuff that is like cement. Poor thing.

Awww. Looks like it was long haul to get here. Very precious!

 

[Cadeau]

Aww - it's hard work being born!

Glad he/she is looking better!!

 

[Blarneyeggs]

Any ideas how to get this cement stuff off? I'm off to take care of my mother and it's looking like the next Marans is having the same trouble.... Arrrgh!