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I have two older Maran hens but no rooster. I think there definitely are a couple of Maran people on this thread (with LOVELY chocolaty eggs) so hopefully they will surface.
What I do have here is a nearly impossible eagle problem. I've lost four ducks and two hens this Spring/Summer. We have now significantly netted (as Chicklady suggested) most of our pen areas and haven't lost anybody since (knock on wood). Surprisingly though, I've not lost them free ranging (though I'm still quite nervous when they are out). Everyone I've lost has been in a pen. The eagles will hop down to a low branch and/or then to a roof of a duck house, and then hop down inside the pen. That way they managed to avoid any wiring I had over the pen to discourage them (the wiring worked for about two years and then they realized they could get through it). Once in the pen the eagles apparently can chase the ducks/chickens around on foot until they catch one and then sit there and leisurely pick it clean. It's usually the drakes or a momma duck, because I think they will try to take on the eagle to try to defend the other ducks or ducklings. In most cases the ducks could have found a safe spot in the pen, but they didn't make it for one reason or another.
I've also lost a couple of smaller ducks and bantam chickens to hawks while free-ranging. I have an intense dislike of 'birds of prey' which I used to find quite majestic. One day (just like in a nightmare movie), these huge shadows moved passed the windows. I looked outside and there were FOUR eagles (two adults and two juveniles) circling down into the yard. I grabbed a hammer (like I was actually going to throw it and hit one of them???
) and I flew out the door and started waving my arms and screaming at the eagles while trying to round up all the ducks and chickens. Fortunately no one got eaten that day, but it still makes my heart race when I think of it.
Anyway, I'll try to get pictures of what we've done here -- though not sure how well the netting will show up on the camera. (As people will point out - it's not raccoon proof, but guess I'll have to wait until those little masked buggers prove to be a problem).
FYI:
I have a nice young and very free Cuckoo Maran Roo that has yet to crow, just begging for a new home.
We are going to Olympia soon, maybe we can meet you somewhere ?
It is a hassel being on the island, I lived there for a while...beautiful and loved the big ships at night, and foghorns..but the little errand to town would be an all day thing.
Let me know if anyone wants him...a very handsome and nice boy but is argueing with the other roo (his brother) so he is in solitary confinement until after this weekend then you-know-what will happen.
Will hold him if anyone wants him...
