Wheaten and Blue wheaten Marans Discussion Thread

[snowbird]

Quote:
These hens lay so good I need a barrel for them to lay their eggs .

Hi Don,
Obviously you are on a mission when you breed chickens ... your not a collector.
So while you work to meet the SOP are you also selecting for the darkest egg color.
Thanks,
Joe

Joe, I decided a long time ago that if my hens average at least #6 I am happy. That is dark enough for me. The APA could care less what color egg they lay.

 

[snowbird]

Here is the close up view, The opening is 10" x 17" and the door is made of 1 x 2 cage wire, only make the cup holes 2" wide to keep varmits out. Notice the twi hinge at top are just small nylon hangers, on the bottom two 1/4" bolts with nut attached to barrel, the door goes over that and I have a flat washer with a wing nut. I clean these 3-4 times a year with a big woodworking vacuum. one large bag of shavings will do six off the barrels.

 

[snowbird]

This

was posted on another thread before so decided to post here to have all the pictures in one place.

 

[snowbird]

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This is some of the single mating cages I have and there are 31 of this size.

 

[berkeleysprings]

don how long do u keep the rooster in the pen with the hens? , my hens get perty bare backed with 8 hens and a roo and i keep them in a coop thats 9x8 and a run thats 15 x 15

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
Randy, for the single mating pens , I usually use six female and switch the male at noon each day an a three day cycle. My large mating pens the female will also lose lots of back feathers.

 

[geebs]

Snowbird: CHicken obsessed.... Understated...

That barrel according to your measurement is a small one...Not a 55 gallon deal right??? I happen to have a couple just kicking around that I use for water when we travel with our stock. I get them for about 5 bucks each and the 55 gallon ones are 10... Are the ones outside a different size or is it the picture???? SOOOOOOOO Cuel to the 10th power!!! Thanks for posting... I am sooooo doin it... I have rounded dem up and need to know for sure which size I need...i guess a feller could use either huh???? Okay enuff rambling.... Again... SSSoooo cooool

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I bet you don't use the bottom cages as a first choice... Too much stooping... (that would be a lost cause for me)... Gotta put everything up higher.

 

[snowbird]

Hey All, If I do not make it back on the forum before the weekend , I hope everyone has a Super Memorial Day weekend.

 

[geebs]

Ya you too... If you are traveling... Godspeed... You must have "team" to take care of the place when you are gone!!! Be safe and I will be looking for ya Monday night... at least!!!

 

[berkeleysprings]

how are your wheaten males turning out ? and how are u maintaingng egg color , when not useing the same roosters all the time ?
Quote:
Randy, for the single mating pens , I usually use six female and switch the male at noon each day an a three day cycle. My large mating pens the female will also lose lots of back feathers.