Texas

[Brookshire11]

The newest additions to our flock.

Please allow me to introduce ya'll to our 5month-old(ish) Black Maran pullets, Bootsy & Barbarella. My daughter & I got to name our first 8 chickens, so we let my husband name the last two.

They have lovely feathery legs and feet...and we can't wait for their chocolate-brown eggs.

Love them!


Ok I need opinions!

I found a coop. She's asking $250.
It's 4'x3'.
I'm thinking I can take those "boxes" out and add another roost on that side?
Also, how is a dirt floor, specifically in winter? I planned on putting straw down.

I plan on using this to get them through the winter, then maybe expanding on it a bit and adding a wood floor and some height next Spring.














What does everything think?

The girls free range all day and we have virtually no predators since we've had them (January).

 

[magpiesing]

The newest additions to our flock.

Please allow me to introduce ya'll to our 5month-old(ish) Black Maran pullets, Bootsy & Barbarella. My daughter & I got to name our first 8 chickens, so we let my husband name the last two.

They have lovely feathery legs and feet...and we can't wait for their chocolate-brown eggs.

Very pretty!!! I love black chickens...their feathers can be so many colors in the sunlight...purple, teal, blue. Will they big big hens or are the feathered legs and feet a bantam trait? I have a mix little hen from a sebright and our big roo Abraham. She is white but has feathered feet like her mom and bantam size.

 

[magpiesing]

Love them!


Ok I need opinions!

I found a coop. She's asking $250.
It's 4'x3'.
I'm thinking I can take those "boxes" out and add another roost on that side?
Also, how is a dirt floor, specifically in winter? I planned on putting straw down.

I plan on using this to get them through the winter, then maybe expanding on it a bit and adding a wood floor and some height next Spring.














What does everything think?

The girls free range all day and we have virtually no predators since we've had them (January).

IDK...it's pretty nice and some work went into building it. Don't know how many ladies will share it but I'd say good for 4-6 birds for good winter shelter. Wouldn't be too hard to relocate if need be also. Offer her $200. Just my opine. Our chicken house has a dirt floor and we use pine shavings on it. Good onsulation and absorbs odor and dries poo out pretty well.

 

[Brookshire11]

IDK...it's pretty nice and some work went into building it. Don't know how many ladies will share it but I'd say good for 4-6 birds for good winter shelter. Wouldn't be too hard to relocate if need be also. Offer her $200. Just my opine. Our chicken house has a dirt floor and we use pine shavings on it. Good onsulation and absorbs odor and dries poo out pretty well.

Thank you!
I would build but we literally don't have ANY tools (our first home that's not an apartment...)
Finding something sturdy and affordable is difficult here lol

I think we'll get it and modify it as needed!

I only have 4 LF and a bantam right now.
* more on the way, but I'm sure there will be a few losses. And they wont be able to sleep with the big girls for awhile anyway.
She's also offering a run that I don't need, so I think I'll use that as a tractor for the babies 2 fer 1 ! lol

 

[magpiesing]

Thank you!
I would build but we literally don't have ANY tools (our first home that's not an apartment...)
Finding something sturdy and affordable is difficult here lol

I think we'll get it and modify it as needed!

I only have 4 LF and a bantam right now.
* more on the way, but I'm sure there will be a few losses. And they wont be able to sleep with the big girls for awhile anyway.
She's also offering a run that I don't need, so I think I'll use that as a tractor for the babies 2 fer 1 ! lol

Totally understand your situation...sounds like a good flexible plan. As you acquire tools and materials you can modify.

 

[magpiesing]

Chickieluver...your little ones are so cute!! They do grow fast don't they! It's amazing what even a couple of days difference can make. One day they have a fuzzy butt and just a few days later they have little tails. It's so much fun to watch them grow up.

 

[tiedyemommy]

Very pretty!!! I love black chickens...their feathers can be so many colors in the sunlight...purple, teal, blue. Will they big big hens or are the feathered legs and feet a bantam trait? I have a mix little hen from a sebright and our big roo Abraham. She is white but has feathered feet like her mom and bantam size.

With Marans, the feathered feet are a "French Standard" trait (meaning closest to originally bred French Maran characteristics)...at least from what I've read. I think they will be good size. They are almost egg-laying age, and they are the same size (roughly) as my 7month-ish laying hens (various full-size breeds).

 

[magpiesing]

With Marans, the feathered feet are a "French Standard" trait (meaning closest to originally bred French Maran characteristics)...at least from what I've read. I think they will be good size. They are almost egg-laying age, and they are the same size (roughly) as my 7month-ish laying hens (various full-size breeds).

Are these different from Black Copper Marans? Is that a trait for all Marans?

 

[Brookshire11]

Are these different from Black Copper Marans? Is that a trait for all Marans?

Yep! The French varieties have feather, while the English do not.
It's true for all Marans.
The Golden Cuckoo I had had some feathering as well.

But if yours do NOT have feathering, they're still Marans, just to English standard

 

[magpiesing]

Very interesting...so my cuckoo maran w/o feathers...is of English lineage...learn a little every day.

Just hosed the roof of the chicken house and made mud for them to cool their feet. They are now having fun hunting bugs and bits of feed.