Wrath's Marans

[wrathsfarm]

We've been working on keeping out roo numbers down. We had significantly more over the summer

I'll hopefully be selling 3-4 of the BCM cockerels soon. Their 16 weeks now so I need to start getting pics posted of them for help with selecting from all my genius friends here.
Then I've got the 3 little boys that are only 10 wks.

In other news I just saw Kong chasing Solo. With her squatting for me a week or so back and now he's taking notice at 27 weeks tomorrow, seeing some eggs from her might be close.

Kong has really impressed me this year. He didn't take to the incubator Easter hatch babies all that well and he worried me about things to come, but this was his first time with babies running amock. Now that he's been thru 9 broodys and another incubator hatch he's gotten seasoned having them around. With the broodys I didn't worry of course having them to protect the littles, but I was slightly concerned with this last hatch not having a broody.
But he payed them no attention like just another hatch here. He doesn't put any care into the littles like King does, but he tolerates the boys keeping them in line until I decide to separate. And pays no attention to the pullets until their close to POL.
So overall he's been a decent Dad. It would be cool to have a roo that helps raise them and let's them roost with him and that rainbow/unicorn world but I'm happy with both my boys so far.

 

[Tstraub]

I don’t light my run area. So my chickens are awake and all cooped up for a few hours each morning before the sun comes up and the automatic door opens. I have a fair amount of pressure from raccoons, opossums, skunks, and an occasional coyote howling in the distance so I just feel they are safer locked up while the predators are out.

 

[wrathsfarm]

I don’t light my run area. So my chickens are awake and all cooped up for a few hours each morning before the sun comes up and the automatic door opens. I have a fair amount of pressure from raccoons, opossums, skunks, and an occasional coyote howling in the distance so I just feel they are safer locked up while the predators are out.

I'm with you there.... Once I start I've got a few weeks before the lights are coming on in pitch black earlier morning hours. My runs aren't super secure yet so I'd be worried also..
Its mainly the bachelor flock I'm concerned about with room space. The run gives them the space to get away but lights on and crowing outside at 4am will be the issue for sure.
I was going to come out this morning to start this, but woke up all head congested and not feeling it sooooo..... Yay, now that.
I'm glad I got quite a bit done over the last few days, got all runs mostly winterized, tarped the main section of Marans run that's not steel, got my 2 egg mini fridges setup for heat, deep freezer has heat to keep water in, and built 2 more heated bases for water.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Oh and shout out to @NanaK for the thought to block off doors to keep the boys from eye balling each other. Got that done and it's made a big difference. So thanks for that tidbit I hadn't thought of. Big help, thank you.

 

[wrathsfarm]

All this talk about the big guy, so he decides to speak up.....

 

[Auntiejessi3]

All this talk about the big guy, so he decides to speak up.....

That is the most beautiful honk-crow I've ever heard!

 

[wrathsfarm]

That is the most beautiful honk-crow I've ever heard!

I know the video quality is meh and dark. I tried moving my phone into the light but that kept startling him. But thank you, I did nothing but incubate his egg, and the rest is all him ...

 

[NanaK]

I really enjoy hearing crowing competitions.

 

[wrathsfarm]

I really enjoy hearing crowing competitions.

Absolutely, I couldn't imagine not having roosters around.
And first crows are like first eggs... never gets old.

I was actually thinking today, I've had chicks running around here since Easter. It was a lot of chaos, but such a joy to be able to see them grow into their first crows or first eggs.

Like a happy mayhem.....

 

[wrathsfarm]

I mentioned earlier I wanted to find a couple pics of Chooks mans Marans just to show the quality in his breeding program.
The mass and type on these guys is just awe inspiring....
If I remember correctly, the only variety he didn't have were pure Black Marans. He had Black Marans but they didn't breed true IIRC.