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

[onthespot]

just put it in a cup tonight. it might be a bit better tomorrow.

 

[klf73]

will try, thank you

 

[drom]

Attention shoppers:
In case anyone is interested, the playhouse at Lowe's that some people have been buying for their coops is being closed out. It was $300 and they've marked it down to $89.
Yes, you read it right; $89 bucks.
I got mine.

Now I have to put it together

 

[ninjapoodles]

what, exactly, is the identifying information on the playhouse? I mean, what's it called, or what's the item number?

 

[drom]

Quote:
Belamy Playhouse
4'W x 4'L x 6'H Playhouse Kit

Item #: 276546 Model: 276546


The Lowe's website might say the stores in your area don't have it. It says that about the stores in my area but they had it. It could be because they are closing it out. So, it's best to call the store or stop by.

 

[Birch Run Farm]

Oooohh, that playhouse thing is cool, perfect for breeding pens!

 

[drom]

Quote:
People are doing really creative things with them. One woman put nest boxes and perches inside and had her husband put hinges at the top of each side of the roof so she can just open up the roof to collect eggs. Someone else built a little platform to elevate it by a few feet and built a ramp going up to the door.

People are so creative with their coops. There is a thread right now in coops and construction where someone built a little Japanese tea house coop that is so darn cute.
That one needs to be entered in the Fall coop contest.

 

[drom]

Quote:
Do you know Linda Hamid? I don't know her personally, but she posts on the Darkegglayers Yahoo group and I know that she has done this and has pics on her web site.



http://www.sweeth2o.us/SweewaterBlackCopper.html

 

[drom]

Quote:
He's beautiful, that's for sure. Can roos with more color be used on hens with less color? I've read that many people keep two separate lines going: one to produce ideal hens and one to produce ideal roos, since you want different things color-wise from them.

The French Marans site has a paragraph or two on this in the BC section. If I understand it right it sounds like it is fairly simple to correct by doing just just what you said. They also go on to say that in France they have the show quality and the utility types and that the top show quality are not the ones that typically lay the darkest eggs. I suppose if you have a hen that has too much color but lays very dark eggs, she's a keeper and you work with it. And if your colorful Roo came from a dark egg the same goes.

It sounds like even the breeders in France who have access to so many well developed blood lines can still end up sacrificing one goal for another and choosing their priorities.

I would think that breeding for correct feather color is less of a mystery than breeding for dark egg color because genetic factors behind feather color are well known and understood by experienced poultry breeders but egg color doesn't seem to be.

 

[tfpets]

Quote:
He's beautiful, that's for sure. Can roos with more color be used on hens with less color? I've read that many people keep two separate lines going: one to produce ideal hens and one to produce ideal roos, since you want different things color-wise from them.

The French Marans site has a paragraph or two on this in the BC section. If I understand it right it sounds like it is fairly simple to correct by doing just just what you said. They also go on to say that in France they have the show quality and the utility types and that the top show quality are not the ones that typically lay the darkest eggs. I suppose if you have a hen that has too much color but lays very dark eggs, she's a keeper and you work with it. And if your colorful Roo came from a dark egg the same goes.

It sounds like even the breeders in France who have access to so many well developed blood lines still can still end up sacrificing one goal for another and choosing their priorities.

I would think that breeding for correct feather color is less of a mystery than breeding for dark egg color because genetic factors behind feather color are well known and understood by experienced poultry breeders but egg color doesn't seem to be.

Yes, all very well spoken and thought out. I am so glad to have you all to keep in touch with, to listen to and share with, in a real way. The breed has many facets, due to the need to continue to produce birds of show quality feather/standard vs egg quality, and the two do not necessarily equal the same bird, but we are the same bird lovers?? Mostly.

Its the current rampant trend to capitalize on the huge dollar sales of semi decent quality dark eggs, but who knows what birds may come out of them, thats what disturbs me. The rage to get the eggs, then those that buy them are going to sell more of those eggs for more dollars, then more eggs, lotsa dark eggs, all called Marans, but we need to keep track of the quality of the birds in here?? I am concerned there are too many on the market that are questionable, we ourselves are not certain whether we've got the good stuff. I want the good stuff, I admit, I'm just a learner. I want to put my money where my mouth is, but I still get excited when I see a good deal....

I know everyone and their cousin is on Bevs list, I would love to share quality lines with others here on BYC, I have had no problem giving away my Cuckoo Marans eggs for the cost of shipping, because I'm not in this for a profit...I truly love the breed. I have to make my decision about what I want most though, egg quality or feather...and I am pretty close to chosing the egg quality...I am not into the Marans for show, so the way they look should not be an issue for me...other than that I want more than one variety.. I currently have the Cuckoos and the Black Coppers. I look forward to having other varieties!
Tina/tfpets
You guys rock!!