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

[ninjapoodles]

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I haven't noticed that (not saying it doesn't happen here, just that I've never put two and two together like that), but I have noticed a significant difference in yolk color when they're free-ranging and when they're not. HUGE difference.

 

[drom]

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Oh for sure definitely. You know, I really do need someone to take some of my eggs and give me back a pullet or two. I am really wanting to hatch some of my own to see what they produce, but I just can't have any more roosters.

But it's a long way man-ahahahahahha. That trip to Donna's was over 1200 miles in one day. And that was when gas was about $4.94 a gallon. And that make shift mobile brooder I set up was too hot and then it was too cold and I kept pulling off the road to make sure they weren't frying or freezing. It's a good thing they've been such good birds! Bringing those little babies home wasn't easy! ahahahhah

 

[drom]

Quote:
I haven't noticed that (not saying it doesn't happen here, just that I've never put two and two together like that), but I have noticed a significant difference in yolk color when they're free-ranging and when they're not. HUGE difference.

Yes! My barred rock and EE do not free range and the Marans do and the Marans yolks are twice as dark. Also, when I moved to the Purina lay crumble I think that made their yolks darker as well.

 

[onthespot]

Quote:
Oh for sure definitely. You know, I really do need someone to take some of my eggs and give me back a pullet or two. I am really wanting to hatch some of my own to see what they produce, but I just can't have any more roosters.

But it's a long way man-ahahahahahha. That trip to Donna's was over 1200 miles in one day. And that was when gas was about $4.94 a gallon. And that make shift mobile brooder I set up was too hot and then it was too cold and I kept pulling off the road to make sure they weren't frying or freezing. It's a good thing they've been such good birds! Bringing those little babies home wasn't easy! ahahahhah

You know, someone on here once posted about how they brooded their babies and they said they hung a featherduster so the feathers barely touched the floor of the brooder and they did not have to heat them at normal room temps, the babies just went into the feathers and kept warm in there, and ventured out for food and water. I have not tried this method, but one of these days I will.... just to see. I will not set them up and go to work or something, but I will do it on a day that I can watch them and see how they handle it. Anyhow, sucha setup might work in transport. There is always Shipping also... just a thought. I could raise them up to a sturdy size, and then you could also pick better, have a better idea of what you were choosing. I wouldn't care which ones you chose. I just want birds that are not all half sixters or mother/daughters.

 

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

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Awesome, I think I'll give that a try soon.

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I would be happy to do this for you, then you could send eggs to onthespot without the logistical issues of retrieving the peeps.
edit: I'm assuming that I must live somewhat close to you.

 

[monarc23]

OnTheSpot


Sadly I had to take out two more eggies that didn't develop (for some reason I've noticed that when it gets closer to hatching time ones that arent developed I can see in a lil better dunno if it's decomposition or what...) ANYWHOOO those two I took out didnt have any development in them both were pullet eggies.


The rest 10 of them almost every single one I can atleast notice that theres a HUGE air cell!!!

the two HUGEST eggs I cannot see in at all

they're going to be a mystery up until the end

I stop turning on the 13th!

you betcha I'll be posting cutness in a few days

 

[onthespot]

Good Luck! Happy Hatching vibes from California sent your way...

Ten would be good. We would be thrilled with ten, no? You know what they say... don't count your chickens until when? Anyone? Bueller? Until they HATCH!!! That's riiiiigght! LOL I sure do hope you get ten though. That would be awesome!

 

[Krys109uk]

Yes! My barred rock and EE do not free range and the Marans do and the Marans yolks are twice as dark. Also, when I moved to the Purina lay crumble I think that made their yolks darker as well.

Oh I'd thought people were talking about egg shell colour.
Free ranged birds will have darker yolks because the yolk is coloured by the carotenoids the consume such as xanthophylls in grass & green plants. Sometimes marigolds are added to layer pellets for this purpose.

I don't think egg shell colour is affected by free ranging, diet or weather, but rather frequency of lay & length of time in lay.​

 

[pasofinofarm]

Quote:
Oh I'd thought people were talking about egg shell colour.
Free ranged birds will have darker yolks because the yolk is coloured by the carotenoids the consume such as xanthophylls in grass & green plants. Sometimes marigolds are added to layer pellets for this purpose.

I don't think egg shell colour is affected by free ranging, diet or weather, but rather frequency of lay & length of time in lay.

We may all be saying the same thing here... My egg color is affected by frequency of lay which is affected by weather and by diet. When recently trying to finish up a supply of organic gamebird finisher that I usualy feed my Ameraucanas I started feeding it to the Marans... they ramped up to an egg a day (unusal for them) and egg color plummeted. I have also seen this in warm weather spells in our 'winter'... not much real winter in south Texas anyway but a few days of mid 80's in January will also see laying increase. I say 'I fed gamebird feed and got lighter eggs' which is the reader's digest version of what actually goes on.

Conversly in times of low light laying can slow to 2 very dark eggs a week. I think that what many of us are saying is that the very same hen that produces those 6s can at other times produce those 3s... In my very humble opinion that does not mean that she is not a Marans chicken but I have recently met those that feel differently.

 

[Krys109uk]

I can see what you're saying

I've been tracking our marans eggs very precisely this year. Of my strange wheaten creatures (various projects) it seems that most often the very darkest layers seem to lay less often. Some seem to chuck eggs out regular as clockwork, their eggs never were as dark as I'd like & have lightened a bit more. I wish I could find the right lead for the camera.
LOL I'm up to my eyes in so many projects.....I have eggs in so many shades & colours, shiny, matt, very spotted, solid colour, too light, exceedingly dark......I'll get them all sorted out one day

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