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

[SunnyDawn]

Quote:
I think what I have read here, over and over again, is that many would not consider them marans if they did not lay a #4 at some point in their laying cycle! All my gals laid a #4 or #5 when they were young so they are considered marans even though only one still lays a #4.
Remember you are allowed to disagree with anyone! If you love your gals that have never laid a #4 in their lives then what does it matter what someone else calls them? They are still wonderful birds, but if you are going to raise, breed and sell them as pure marans it is important to know the french standard or simply market them differently when selling. No need to argue about whether you agree or not.

 

[geebs]

The change in the weather... too cold or too warm will do this... my guess is it is a climate thing... That is the experience I have had with them.... I don't know if this is the same as what you have going but I thought it was worth posting.

 

[geebs]

Millebantam, The french standard explains it all...We went over all this earlier and a website was posted... I don't know if you have read it yet but it is a few pages back near your earlier posts on this same subject in response to a similar comment... You will find the answer there...Too much to type here.

 

[drom]

Quote:
You know, I believe what the breeders say is that the real underlying reason that some birds lay lighter when it is very hot or very cold is STRESS. They also lay lighter when they are ill. I know that is the case with my birds in the heat. When they are uncomfortable, they lay lighter eggs.

 

[geebs]

You will get the hang of it Kathymo... Enjoy your birds... the light layers... the dark layers... they all have merit... Keep records if ya.... It is kinda like having a big puzzle... It is in the doing of it that fun lies... You will find the "truths" in your yard. The lines you buy and what you personally feed... It is like trying to read the ending of the book... The journey is good. The ending doesn't make sense without reading the in between pages.

 

[drom]

Yes, Kathy, you keep asking questions and learning as much as you darn well want to. That is what is so fun about this breed.

 

[SunnyDawn]

Quote:
Thanks for the info. I'm not really worried about it. It's been very cold here plus there are slim pickin's for free ranging right now. I'm just happy they're still laying at all!

 

[americana-chick]

Well i picked up my BC marans today! they are 5 months old. 3 hens and 1 roo.

I will post pics as soon as i can!

 

[evonne]

old mc donald had a farm... eeiieeiioooooooo....
and on his farm he had marans... eeiieeiiiooooooo....
old mc donald went crazy trying to figure out the breeding pens.. that's why he sings silly eeiieeiiiooooosss...!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i should stay away from the strawberry margaritas... lol..

i still don't know how you gusy do all this.. keep it all straight.. esp having multiple varieties...

 

[kathyinmo]

My question is still .... do you hatch the eggs that are lighter (due to the cycle, the weather, the diet, or whatever), or ONLY the darkest eggs (even if they come from the same parents) ??