Marans Thread for Posting Pics of Your Eggs, Chicks and Chickens

[ruth]

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I do the same thing, Monique, but mine aren't dark - I just keep the tiny ones, they're so cute!

I keep them all too - doesn't matter what color. In fact, I don't think I've ever gotten a small dark chocolate egg (Marans egg). But I have quite a collection of the tiny little eggs - they make great arrangements and are a real conversation piece. I have one so tiny it can hide under a dime. It's hard for people to believe it is a chicken egg and the same chicken would go on to lay extra large jumbo eggs.

 

[bonnylass79]

New here. Got a question for you guys. What would be the benefit to breeding a clean legged BC roo to a feathered legged BC hen? I have a clean legged roo that I love, but I want to breed for the feathered legs since it looks like that's the way the standard is going. He's got great color and build. I'll post pictures later when I get home.

 

[evonne]

i'm getting marans!! YaY..... okay... don't pick on me cause they're from the hatchery... *cowers in the corner*
i don't know what color.. and hell, they're hatchery birds.. but i want the colored eggs... and i'll try to selective breed them to a better standard one i get them old enough to start on it.. but i'm shooting for some nice dark eggs and some olive eggs ... we'll see what happens... thought i'd post here just because i'm excited... I'm getting marans... !!!!!

 

[drom]

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That's just reminded me.....Do any of you find the colour of your bird's shell changes colour over time? Many of my darkest layers lay very dark red eggs. I have found if I leave the shells the colour changes to a dark brown. Not a different shade of the original colour but rather a different colour; just as dark but a different colour. I have found this change takes place relatively quickly, after perhaps, a week or two. Anyone else found this or have I got weird hens?

I've heard several people say that same thing. I haven't really noticed the hue changing so much with mine though.

 

[drom]

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People say it is fairly easy to add feathers to stock in the second generation, so if you like your rooster and you breed him to your feathered hen, You should get some feathered offspring.

 

[drom]

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I think usually the hatchery birds are always Cuckoo. Although, My Pet Chicken was selling BC hatching eggs this year. I think the eggs actually came from Gabbard Farms. But perhaps the hatcheries will eventually start offering the BCs.

 

[pinkchick]

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That's just reminded me.....Do any of you find the colour of your bird's shell changes colour over time? Many of my darkest layers lay very dark red eggs. I have found if I leave the shells the colour changes to a dark brown. Not a different shade of the original colour but rather a different colour; just as dark but a different colour. I have found this change takes place relatively quickly, after perhaps, a week or two. Anyone else found this or have I got weird hens?

Krys, I have noticed that as well. It is not just with my BCM shells, the Welsummer shells will change color like they just get old and stale or something. I keep my darkest shells from all hatches and store them in egg cartons, and keep them in a dark place away from natural light, taking them out only when I need to compare. Upon storing them this way it seems as though the color change is not as drastic.
But I do have weird hens anyway!

 

[Germaine_11.20]

All this talk about eggs is making me antsy. Mine won't be old enough to lay until about Jan 1st (25 weeks)

Do BCM's lay well in winter without added light? Or do you think they will just wait until spring?

 

[pinkchick]

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People say it is fairly easy to add feathers to stock in the second generation, so if you like your rooster and you breed him to your feathered hen, You should get some feathered offspring.

When I first started out with Marans I had 2 feather legged roos and several clean legged hens, I hatched out many babies from these breedings and some had great feathering like their dads and some would end up with sparse feathering. I did get some clean legged babies, but not very many. When I use my clean legged BC roo over my feather legged hens I get the same results. IMO the leg feathering is one of the easiest traits to breed back in vs. many of the other traits that seem to be ever so tricky ie..correct colors, eye color, 5 points, body type and so on. Good Luck! Welcome to BYC!

 

[Germaine_11.20]

I took another look at my hens and their eyes have dark pupils and pumpkin rings around that. Is it preferred that they have the really light pumpkin like the Roo's?