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

[Bluemoon420]

Quote:
I will post a pic of her. The weather hasn't been cooperating, and they are 8 weeks old. I don't want to put them out in the tractor while it's cold and raining. It's supposed to be nice this week, but I haven't seen any proof of that yet.

She is my favorite.
The test hatch I did was just a test hatch, and not meant for any sale, or show. She is absolutely gorgeous girl, and the only one like her out of the 8 that hatched. So the mossy would be responsible for the light blue legs?

Bluemoon

 

[geebs]

I would have to see a picture.... I am very visually oriented... Blue legs (slate or other variation) is common on black hens...Especially black hens derived from a blue to blue breeding... If you are hatchng for yourself for your personal use then I wouldn't worry about faults too much. How are the eggie color?

 

[Bluemoon420]

I'll get a pic up no problem later. We are hoping for some warmer weather, and the darn rain to go away. I'll edit this post later when I go out there.

She's only 8 weeks old, so she's not laying yet. I'm not worried about the light blue legs as a fault. It was just a surprise to see it. I had thrown in 10 test eggs back in Jan. to test my incubator, and our birds weren't seperated yet because of the all the frigid cold temps, and snow we got. I was curious to see what would hatch from welsummer/BCM cross. The hen is a pure welsummer, the rooster is a pure BCM.

Bluemoon

 

[geebs]

I heard the Wellie cross is a good layer w/o much sitting... It is a good cross...However....

You can't straddle the rail my friend... You either breed for marans conformation or you breed for your own enjoyment any laying hens you want... The mossiness is enough to cull her w/o any regard to leg color and another thing... It is the "best practice" if you are jumping in the APA standard project ring to keep VERY ACCURATE records and not run them together,.... so in my opinion (just an opinion here)... She would be my "breakfast pen".. I would eat her eggs and learn from my experiment.

 

[Bluemoon420]

Oh no, I only crossed for my own benefit. Not anyone elses. So my straddling the rail is for my own benefit.

I like to experiment. It's how I learn.

During the winter, none of the breeds are seperated. It is easier for both the chickens and myself. We have a huge existing building on our property that houses the chickens. It has heat, and electricity for the harsh winter.

I had to snow shoe out to our chicken building this past winter the darn snow was so deep.
I don't plan on breeding BCM. I'm actually plan on breeding welsummers, and have been sorting out who will be going in the breeding pen, once our weather breaks. Our breeding pen birds won't be free ranging. Our marans will be with our free range flock since I won't be focusing on those. Personally, I like the clean legged marans better.



As for Lily, she will be free ranging with the rest of my flock. My only question was how she would have light blue legs. Which you partially answered for me.

Thank you! I will get picture up for later, so others who may have came across the same thing might have a reference to go by. Once I know what color egg she lays I will post that also.

Bluemoon

 

[geebs]

Yep... you sound like me... I love to have an experiment pen... I have a couple things I am working on... "secrets"... If they pan out I will post em... if not... no one will know.. ha ha..

Good idea about the posting... Just a side note for you...If you don't leave a light on in winter then not only do the hens shut down... so do the roos... They will quit mounting and then you don't have to worry about cross bred anything...That is what I have been told and has been my experience.. They get quieter too.

 

[Bluemoon420]

Yeah, we leave the light off during the winter to give the hens a break. However, none of my hens quit laying.

Apparently, it didn't bother my rooster either.

I was testing my incubator back in Jan. ( I keep very accurate notes. ) The previous hatch I did last spring did not do well, and I was adjusting my humidity, and temps. I was very surprised I got those eggs to hatch, and found the dry method worked A LOT better. So when I do another hatch this spring, I'll be using that method.

Thank you so much for the feedback.

I'll keep you posted on her progress. Good luck to your secret projects also.

At least I know I'm not the only one who likes to experiment.

Bluemoon

 

[pinkchick]

Geebs~

Nate~ Thanks! I've only had one chick from him that was lighter blue the rest of them have been varying shades of darker blue.

 

[geebs]

When we put up eggies on the auction block aren't we supposed to declare the cost of shipping??? What if I bought eggies from someone who had zero dollars for shipping (I assumed it was included) and then they told me I had to pay a bunch extra... (marans marans marans).. Had to add that so it isn't a hijacking.. he he...

I need to know this in case I ever offer up any (like that will ever happen)

 

[aalbury]

Pullet 'Amber' with my daughter

Cockreal 'Coop' with my daughter