Marans?

[Illia]

Sounds like some people have bad luck with their birds and size, but just as a hope-lifter, this is what I normally get out of mine.

Marans roosters should normally grow to exceed 7 lbs live weight, with a very nice, broad body and good amount of meat. Their temperament is very laid-back and often quite friendly, but like any rooster, yes, you should keep them from the hens when raising large amounts for meat. They aren't Cornish X

 

[doubleatraining]

Thank you for that!!! I needed a little hope booster. Thats a really nice looking bird. What do you feed yours?

I plan on giving the "Camp Kenmore" crew a non-medicated starter feed so they will get plenty of protein.

 

[Illia]

I start with non-medicated chick starter, then flock raiser and for the boys I keep on with flock raiser, since I can sex them at about 4 weeks old.

They also get fed whatever grows in their enormous run as well as whatever comes from the gardens or crops.

I know a lady not far from here who also gets very nice, very plump birds and she feeds hers an organic feed. Don't know what brand though but I believe it has fishmeal and peas in it which really help.

 

[punky rooster]

Could someone give me the average live weight of a 16 week old cockerel?

 

[speedy2020]

Quote:
You have very nice meat bird there. I have BCM eggs that going to hatch soon. Hopefully, they are turn out as good as your.

 

[HollidaySmith]

Wow Illia. That looks great. What time is supper? )

 

[Glenmar]

How old were they? I have some Marans too.

 

[Illia]

The processed ones shown: 7-8 months. They were for the dogs, that's why I did them later than the normal 4-6 months. Still, I've had a 7 month old that was excellent and tender.


Punky - My guys usually are at 5 lbs at that age, but, my scale isn't completely accurate so I'm not going to say that is definite.

 

[they'reHISchickens]

We just processed 7 roos today so this is a timely topic in the house. In our admittedly limited experience, 20 weeks is a lot better for marans for size. Our orps were larger at 20 weeks too. The problem we have with the marans is that they are way too randy to tolerate as they mature. Haven't found much mellowness in the boys we hatched either. Maybe we need a new roo? The marans hens are simply awesome. Mellow, lay by 6 months, lay regularly and LARGE eggs, not to mention dark- That's the bonus!
We have some 1 month old marans right now. We are talking about culling the boys as soon as we can tell them apart. With the cost of feed and limited winter housing, we need to cut back. The roos may crow but the hens deliver the goods

 

[Tracydr]

If your meat is lean, try marinating in kefir or yogurt. We just had two pieces, a deboned breast and thigh without skin on the grill last night that I marinated in kefir and an Indian Tika mix. It was so tender and juicy.