South Carolina

[WestKnollAmy]

On the Marans, I can only say what I have noticed in the 4 years I have had them and the 3rd generation that I have raised from so far. My cuckoos didn't seem to have any problems but then when I got into the blue copper and black copper and upped the protein with my second hatch from the originals I noticed a huge difference.
I must say, my hens are bigger and more full, their immune systems are better and the meat from the extra roos is plumper. I don't have leg or structure problems unless they don't get the higher animal proteins. And too, I feel bloodlines have a lot to do with it.

But, hey, I am still a novice and still learning so there are things I still need to improve on in my breeding programs. I feel I have learned a good bit but am always willing to learn more about them.

Can you all that have had great success in raising them up for a while give me some advice on bloodlines, feeding regimes and experiences in breeding them?

 

[Blueberry Hill]

Question: Will it hurt my laying hens to feed all of them the Williams chick starter since it is a higher protein?

 

[Lroach711]

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I know all about Marans not getting higher protein

no fun at all.. you live and learn I guess!

Well this is new info to me. I have never fed my marans higher protein food. I have the black coppers (Wade Jeane line) and blue marans. They are beautiful, big, healthy birds and they're laying pretty well for me. Did I just luck out and get a healthy bloodline? Is this typical to the breed or just certain strains? What happens to them? The marans have been my healthiest birds this year.

And I've had my cuckoo marans for several years now and raised many chicks from them without any health issues.

I hatched 4 marans from eggs I got from Amy Nadine but only had problems with my roos. The one ended up with some kind of joint problem and the other was a little gimpy..he just walked with a bit of a limp. Both my girls are fine and they just eat regular layer. The one roo that had a joint problem did seem to improve somewhat on a higher protein food but he was too far gone. I had to put him down

But I have to say that by far my 2 marans pullets I got from those eggs have the best temperment. They are soo sweet. One of them follows me around everywhere when I have her out to free range. And they were the first out of my pullets to start laying (at 19 & 20 wks!)

 

[BlazeJester]

I was hoping to go to this but I'm a grad student and have a GA driver's license... Do you really have to be a SC resident to participate? Why on earth?

Edited to add: my friend and I aren't planning on swapping or selling. We're interested in buying a goat.

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[weeders n feeders]

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[Joycats]

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There are Ameraucana's and then there are Araucana's. Ameraucana's have a medium length tail, muffs and a small pea comb. The Araucana's are rumpless and have bigger ear tufts. When Araucana's are crossed with any other breed, they can produce blue, green, pink or yellow eggs and this is where the Easter Eggers come in. At least, this is my understanding. I often refer to my favorite book. If ya'll don't have it, you should check it out. It's "Storey's Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds" and they have lots of color pictures that I love to look at. My book is falling apart, I have looked it to death.

That's so funny! That was the first book we bought and my children saw the white silkie in it which is why we ended up with silkies first. I love that book. It's a great reference.

From what I understand, Easter Eggers are a mix of any colored egg layer with another breed (Ameraucanas, Araucana, Marans). Usually it's an Ameraucana or an Araucana though which is why the eggs are green or blueish. Mix a Marans and an Ameraucana and you get an Olive Egger. They lay such pretty eggs!

My Wheaten Ameraucanas should start laying any day. I think those are THE prettiest hens in the world. So creamy and those white muffs.... I just want to eat them up! Not literally of course!

Susanne, the sebastopol goose on the cover of the book is what sparked my desire to have those. I now have two!

 

[Joycats]

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Well this is new info to me. I have never fed my marans higher protein food. I have the black coppers (Wade Jeane line) and blue marans. They are beautiful, big, healthy birds and they're laying pretty well for me. Did I just luck out and get a healthy bloodline? Is this typical to the breed or just certain strains? What happens to them? The marans have been my healthiest birds this year.

And I've had my cuckoo marans for several years now and raised many chicks from them without any health issues.

I hatched 4 marans from eggs I got from Amy Nadine but only had problems with my roos. The one ended up with some kind of joint problem and the other was a little gimpy..he just walked with a bit of a limp. Both my girls are fine and they just eat regular layer. The one roo that had a joint problem did seem to improve somewhat on a higher protein food but he was too far gone. I had to put him down

But I have to say that by far my 2 marans pullets I got from those eggs have the best temperment. They are soo sweet. One of them follows me around everywhere when I have her out to free range. And they were the first out of my pullets to start laying (at 19 & 20 wks!)

Can I ask what brand of food you were feeding to these marans that had the health issues?

 

[dixiebeast]

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Gorgeous!

I am excited about Saturday! But sorry I am losing my Cowboy. He is so handsome even though he is molting right now. Wait until you see his chicks! I need to snap some photos. They are such a beautiful blue color.

I know..the d'uccle whites are so awsome...I guess I will get them since no one else is...time to build...AGAIN!! CHICKEN MATH ATTACK!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

You will love those white d'Uccles, as well. I love my white bantam Cochins and do not even notice they are just white. The personalities just pop forth!

Can't wait to meet you on Saturday!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

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I hatched 4 marans from eggs I got from Amy Nadine but only had problems with my roos. The one ended up with some kind of joint problem and the other was a little gimpy..he just walked with a bit of a limp. Both my girls are fine and they just eat regular layer. The one roo that had a joint problem did seem to improve somewhat on a higher protein food but he was too far gone. I had to put him down

But I have to say that by far my 2 marans pullets I got from those eggs have the best temperment. They are soo sweet. One of them follows me around everywhere when I have her out to free range. And they were the first out of my pullets to start laying (at 19 & 20 wks!)

Can I ask what brand of food you were feeding to these marans that had the health issues?

You know what I feed normally. I can feed the Southern States Game Bird starter and have no problems at all. Except with my wheatens, they just never did well for me. The adults did fine and I did raise a few pullets and roos but for the most part, out of the hundred plus I hatched from them, they did not flourish at all.

What brand do you feed, Lroach711?