Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Debbi]

I dont want them to be a sardine or like what they do for veal. I want something ample in size so they can move. Where I live space is a premium. So if I can move a Roo out and a Hen in thats what I would like.

I guess I misunderstood, or if the situation there is like it is here, nothing is selling? Can you build a couple of temporary small holding pens? Like maybe find a cheap dog run made out of chain link? Those tend to sell fairly cheaply out here, and always seems to be some for sale on CL. I could use a few of those myself! Most are either 8'x10' or 10'x10', some even come with a dog house, and those are the ones I will be seeking out. Cover the tops with some welded wire or a tarp, and there you have a temporary chicken run.

 

[gilavina]

Hi Vicki!! Did you finally get some rain relief up there?? Seems like it's an all or nothing thing down here any more, and we made up for it in spades over the last month or so. Probably got 3" or better the other day! I'm still trying to cull down the Silkie flock with no success. Feed prices here keep going up, and the sales of all livestock seems to have come to a screeching halt. Need to move some of the roos, so there may be a give away in the near future! Going to try some turkeys in the spring. Hope to get some more eggs from Randy too come spring. I am afraid to look at the winter forecast this year, I am hoping for another mild one, but it's probably not likely. I will muddle through somehow...

we only had one day of a nice rain so far. That's been a few weeks back now, but it included hail, while it was all sunny and nice out. We were one of the only people around here that got hail. It was enough to turn the lawn white.

I'm still working on culling down. Ended up processing a few more roos the other day and am going to keep plugging away til I'm down to just want I want to hold over and take a bunch of the extra girls down to the sale barn, probably either at the weekly sale or to the exotic sale. I also have some started pairs that I'm planning on selling off hopefully at the show here in the beginning of November.

I'm making my list of feed for TSC since I have a coupon and will be getting my feed stores stocked up again for winter. I'm also using red cell for conditioning birds for the show and am liking the results. They sure respond to it well and its looking like I have a nice blue copper boy to replace the first one that had the hip problems in his development. So, overall, I'm hoping to cut my numbers in half before winter. Shouldn't be too hard, just gotta stay on top of it.

 

[Debbi]

Doesn't sound like you've gotten much rain then. Folks here may actually get in one more hay cutting if a freeze doesn't pop up for a few more weeks. Got down to 43* here one night, so it's on it's way. Was supposed to be sunny here today, but it stayed cloudy. Those danged yellow jackets were everywhere today! I cannot find their nest, but I suspect it is near the window of the coop. Will take some wasp spray out there with me tomorrow and soak that sucker! The flies have come back in spades too! DE doesn't do squat! Guess for next year I'm going to try that Sweet PDZ to see if that works. Long drive for me to get some, but it may be worth it. Right now, you sure don't want to open your mouth too much!

 

[laughingclown]

Ok, I have a nother question. Im trying to look at chicks a bit more closely. By looking at my adults I noticed smaller outside toes are more prevalent on my girls. While as the Roos have big long toes. I know smaller outer toes tend to happen on feathered leg breeds. Out of the 4 new chicks I have 2 have big feet and 2 have small outer toes. Do any of you think that the 2 with the bigger feet and outer toes are Roos and the 2 with small outers pullets? Just interesting is all.

Thoughts?

 

[Cadeau]

Around here, gender doesn't seem to affect the short outer toe genetics (can't remember what Don called it...)

Now, if you're talking about BIGGER - my male chicks definitely have more bone than the girls, almost right from the start!

Hope that helps!

 

[DMRippy]

Around here, gender doesn't seem to affect the short outer toe genetics (can't remember what Don called it...)

Now, if you're talking about BIGGER - my male chicks definitely have more bone than the girls, almost right from the start!

Hope that helps!

Rudimentary toes.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Around here, gender doesn't seem to affect the short outer toe genetics (can't remember what Don called it...)

Brachydactyly

 

[math ace]

Good Morning folks...

Anyone gearing up for some Fall hatching?

 

[math ace]

Kim, you ready for some comb issues ? ? ?



This guy has a charming side sprig on the other side of the comb too.... This is not a marans.
However, from all the teaching we use to do on this thread, I learned up to spot this DQ...

 

[SarniaTricia]

Good morning everyone. I just woke up. I am exhausted. I have been studying all week for a huge test. My brain is fried and Im worn out mentally and physically and I have a few days yet. Its been so long since I had to study for anything. Im stressed that Im not retaining enough and I have to pass this. I just put another Roo up for free. Developed white real bad. He looks like he's an old Rooster! Now I have 2 to get rid of. I want to get them out of my pens. What would be an acceptable humane sized cages to put these roos in until either I get rid of them or butcher them?

I had 2ft X 8ft runs made from pallets and a pc of wood over the top for a pair for a while... (one had a trio) They seemed really comfortable, no picking issues or real fighting... I also had one with two imature boys in it and they were ok?? (I liked it cause it was quick, easy to screw together and temperary, but had good space)

Just a thought
Patricia