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The Black Copper Marans are doing great this year. I have 5 hens and have been getting 4 eggs most days for the last few months. My only blue hen was molting after laying a little back in Feb/Mar. The last 2 days I have gotten 5 eggs from that pen, so it seems like "big blue" is back to laying, which is great as I want more blue chicks from her.
I was going to stop hatching Marans, as they have been slow to sell recently, but now I *have* to keep hatching them. Did I mention that fertility and hatch rates have been close to 100% also? I have always looked down on Marans a bit because they were not autosexing like the Welbars, but I'm rethinking that now.
 
3mile said:
Fisherlady- are you on fishusa forums? Recognize the dog pic
Click to expand...

Who me? :oops:

Yep, that's me... That is my dog Mindy as a pup, now she is (semi) famous on here for her chicken keeping.
Attach25728_20200514_182746.jpg

Attach24466_20200329_141205.jpg


But I guess she gives away my identity too, lol. Cant hide anywhere.
 
Hi Everyone,

Quick question: I moved my 5-week olds out to the coop the other day, and I understand they are supposed to stay in there to become attached. It is a lovely coop under deciduous shade, with a full length mirror, a swing, a loft, a big natural log roost bar and floor of shavings and compost pile bits. Yet when i come to the door to peek in, they all run to the door and stare at me through the screen, like they are eager to get out. I feel like a jailer.

note: I plan to let them free range in my fenced yard, but at this age they can only go out if I am right there counting them, as they are still so small.
 
feliciadawn said:
Hi Everyone,

Quick question: I moved my 5-week olds out to the coop the other day, and I understand they are supposed to stay in there to become attached. It is a lovely coop under deciduous shade, with a full length mirror, a swing, a loft, a big natural log roost bar and floor of shavings and compost pile bits. Yet when i come to the door to peek in, they all run to the door and stare at me through the screen, like they are eager to get out. I feel like a jailer.

note: I plan to let them free range in my fenced yard, but at this age they can only go out if I am right there counting them, as they are still so small.
Click to expand...
With them being 5 weeks old you have to be the bad guy for their best interest... you are doing what is best for them, so don't let guilt get in the way, you are fine!

As far as them rushing the door... I would expect you raised them in a brooder, and judging by your description of your preparations in their coop and your concerns for their happiness I expect you have given them a LOT of hands on attention, which is wonderful for a friendly back yard flock. However... it also means they rush for food and attention anytime they see their person, which results in some pretty huge guilt trips. They are fine in their coop with supervised excursions until they are a bit bigger and able to watch out for themselves.
 
Let me try this one more time!
I likely have babies in the coop. All three girls are waiting for the blessed event.
The two pullets from Steven are leaving tomorrow, and that means the two cockerels are leaving too.
 
Guess it worked...

We should have coordinated, I have a bunch of SPR eggs due Sunday night to Monday night. Could have given you a few to transplant. We only have 2 hens waiting.... The 3rd hen (Pidgy) gave up sitting 4 days ago and just decided to steal another pair of hens' chicks for herself, weird thing is that those chicks are 6 weeks old, but Pidgy is full out brooding them now, much to the real mom's consternation. But Pidgy is senior hen in that coop (8+ y/o) so no arguing with her. Guess Pidgy decided age has it's benefits, and shortcutting the broody thing is her chosen benefit, lol.

I am debating on sneaking a couple of new chicks under her Monday night to see if we can swap her to the youngsters instead... worth a shot at least. The chicks she stole are about ready to not have a broody anyway, and I hate to waste her brood on started chicks.
 

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