Wheaten and Blue wheaten Marans Discussion Thread

[berkeleysprings]

thats grreat . my origonal davis rooster w the biggest of all .compared to the origonal cottage hill line davis was bigger. and im happy with egg color on a few of my 7th generation hens. i beleave totaly that if u ever get slow growers hens or roosters yoy will get darker egg cilor . . slow to grow = dark eggs . irs more time in the paint booth...... as for the question about what roosters to keep ,, wheaten or blue wheaten id stick to pure wheaten because to me blue & blue wwont get you 100% blue its my understanding.. but also most importantly rather than trying to get 3 colors wheaten, blue wheaten and splash correct or looking good for me one color is hard enough to get right. im 5 or 6 years into it and still trying . .my hens are ok looking but still working on roosters

 

[Bangarang64]

Hens right? I'm assuming you mean females, not males?

Yeah Hens,

I can't seem to find any clear comparison on the web. Pictures would be a big help.

 

[Budda's Birds]

Here is the best I could do.

Here are some shots of her tail and wing.

Just her.

And a normal wheaten.

I hope these pictures help.

 

[Debbi]

Pretty ladies there, Budda!!

 

[flgardengirl]

I love the blue wheaten hen! Such soft pretty pastel coloring.

 

[Budda's Birds]

Pretty ladies there, Budda!!

I love the blue wheaten hen! Such soft pretty pastel coloring.

Thanks! Those two are the favorites of my flock. I have a Two broody hens on about a dozen eggs, I hope to have a few of their eggs under them.

 

[Bangarang64]

O wow!
Now those are some pretty birds! Thanks you very much.

Now how am I ever going to decide on which Wheatens to get to start my own backyard breeding hobby? They both are very nice.
A white chest (Breast?) area with little to no brown is desirable yes?

 

[walkswithdog]

Hi! :waving: some of you might remember me? I was here and then I moved and had to sell my flocks. I couldn't stay here and not have chickens... We're going to have some again, I miss them too much.

The wheaton Marans I had were my favorite large fowl ever. And I want them again. But not until I am certain of the predator and problems here. I had five. Four hens, Wheaton and blue wheatons and a splendid blue Wheaton roo. They were terrific. Anyone here in VA or southern MD?

I used to, and am again building incubators out of wine fridges. Okay, fine, I'll confess I built and hatched out of a half dozen recycled containers, coolers, fridges, heck just about anything. And I tried reptile heat tape, light bulbs, light ropes, reptile pads, kennel pads. With a little tweaking, they all work, lol. I am an official bator nut.

After about a dozen breeds, it was the Wheaton/Blue Wheaton that did it for me.

Eventually I want a quad of them again, and a trio of Wheaton/Blue Wheaton Ameracqunas as well. Lol with a few silly additions of silkies and sizzles for humor.

I've missed being here. I missed my chickens more than I thought I would. They had become a huge part of my zen place. Time to get back to my zen place. I hope the day finds you well and your chickens warm and clucking.

 

[OldChurchEggery1]

Anyone here in VA or southern MD?

Yes! I am about 25 minutes northeast of Richmond, VA. I haven't had my Wheatens long and have got a lot of work to do, but I really enjoy them. They're so friendly and calm. I have a few pullets that have taken a liking to my 1 year old daughter and they let her pat them. She is not gentle, either!

The main predators that I have to worry about are raccoons and dogs, with the latter being the worst. I'm in a rural area and lots of upscale subdivisions have sprung up from old farms being carved into 10 acre lots and people seem to think it's okay to let their dogs roam at will. Top that off with all the hounds loose during hunting season and I have to keep some well reinforced pens! We keep a lot of live traps and shotgun shells on hand to deal with the racoons. I have one kill nearly a dozen of my birds last fall

It was a bummer. My dad traps and sells the furs, so if there's a particularly nice one we let him come and collect them so as not to mess up the pelt with the shot.

If you've just moved to Virginia, beware the summer heat and humidity. It can get upwards of 100 degrees and 90 % humidity, at which point you will have some droopy, sad chickens. We keep a fan going in the coop and have covered all runs so that there's always shade. Although it doesn't look as good as concrete or rock/stone, we keep sand in the runs so the chickens can wallow around in it and keep cool. Which reminds me, I need to shovel out the winter "accumulation" in the runs and put down some clean sand. Virginia is a beautiful state, though, so I'm sure you'll find much to admire. I'm also in the Virginia Poultry Breeders Association. If you're interested in joining, we have a website you can visit to find out more. We just had our spring meeting, though there will be another in the fall. The food at the meetings can't be beat! Our fall show is up in the air what with the State Fair of Virginia folding. The show was held on their grounds, though it looks like it will be at the Caroline County fairgrounds this fall. Welcome!

 

[walkswithdog]

I've already found my neighbor's pack of JRTs to be a bother. I'm going to fence them out of the paddock I am putting the chickens in. Darn little pests. Coons, yeah, they were a bother in TN at night.

We've seen a lot of fox here, hoping JRT. Proof is fox proof. We're going to net over most of a paddock got them so they can range it and retreat from hawks, when needed. I have one chicken killer old dog, but I am used to keeping him out. It is hotter and more humid here. I'll build with more summer air circulation in mind. I needed the reminder. Thanks.

I probably won't join the associate until I have a settled couple of pens. Right now I am looking at them as pretty layers and my zen happy place. Once I get all set up, then I join stuff when I have something worth, well, crowing about, literally. Right now I just want Wheaton fixes, and to meet a couple of breeds I haven't dealt with while I sort my predator problem and find a house to buy. Leasing so sucks.