The Poultry Keeper

Attila The Hen · Joined: 19 Sep 2005 Posts: 385 Location: Shetland

Not long now, Vanessa!

Attila

vanessa · Joined: 24 Sep 2005 Posts: 1139 Location: Correze

YAY

Ally_J · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 23 Location: Shrops/Powys

I just saw your question with regards to the membrane and wondered if anyone has noticed any connection to the dark egg colour. I was told by a breeder when I started with the French Copper Blacks that although "we want the eggs to be dark that the darker the egg colour the harder it is for the chick to hatch." I have been trying to monitor this trend but I had to replace my cockerel so as yet I have not been able to see if the theory is correct. Anyway I was just interested what everyone else had noticed.

I have had to help maran chicks to hatch when I was using a forced air incubator to hatch, but now I have changed the hatcher to still air. I have been having better results with the French Copper Blacks as the membrane is not drying out in the still air and the last hatch all hatched without my help, which was brilliant.

vanessa · Joined: 24 Sep 2005 Posts: 1139 Location: Correze

Ally, what hatcher do you use? Might be a worth-while investment for me ...

Ally_J · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 23 Location: Shrops/Powys

I managed to find an ecostat semi auto second hand which I use, not the most flash machine but does the job. It is very easy to clean as there is no fan unit and it has four windows in the lid so you can see the chicks hatching - main reason I chose this machine over the Brinsea models. Here is a link to an ecostat to give you a better idea http://www.ascott.biz/acatalog/Ecohatch-Semi-Auto-Round-Incubator-PY244.html

vanessa · Joined: 24 Sep 2005 Posts: 1139 Location: Correze

Thanks Ally. Smile

NannyP · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:54 pm Post subject:

James was here today, showing off his very dark marans eggs.
He said the breeder he bought them from said that humidity is really important for hatching marans eggs.

danrut101 · Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 1 Location: USA

I live in the US and I am looking for an exporter of Black Copper Marans. I would like to buy them from France. Very Happy

If anyone knows someone who can do this legally, please email me at danrut101@yahoo.com.

Thanks

mojo · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:23 pm Post subject: hi

it was our egg and chick show today and so talked to all the maran expert..including champion of europe for last 3 years.....some things they said........add water to top level on day 18 and make sure its hand hot keep humidity high..........never remove stuck on small shell bits for 36 hours minimum..........the darkest eggs dont produce the best show birds...nice chocalate colour is best......dont candle too often ......light affects eyes...........never wash a egg before hatching and dont use float test...........make sure the flooring is rough in brooder to give good grip...........dont use sawdust....................and this is most important .try not to handle birds for fir t 3 days as you can missalign fethers (show birds only)....hope this helps....oh yes and eggs from the champion were 3.5 euros each and she sold every one she had in 3 hours(about 100) DOC 6euros

Clucky · Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 2136 Location: Shropshire

That's helpful Mojo thanks. I have 15 Copper Splash Marans in my bator at the moment with 2.5 weeks to go. Can't wait to D Day Smile

The egg colouring on my splash eggs is a lovely chocolate brown, not matt either...watch this space....

mojo · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:33 pm Post subject:

clucky...............also watch humidity (keep water topped up with warm water) and dont dump any late eggs untill AFTER 25 full days........also dont be put off that some have mottled grey legs they will lighten with age

sophie bishop · Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 8 Location: reading

i have four english cuckoo marans and two french marans Very Happy

mojo · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:20 pm Post subject:

have your french marans got feathered legs and what colour are the legs

sophie bishop · Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 8 Location: reading

yes they have some features on there legs , the colour of the legs are blue

Clucky · Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 2136 Location: Shropshire

Here are the copper splash maran chicks with feathering on their legs, I think a couple have white legs too Smile

http://gallery.thepoultrykeeper.co.uk/d/29861-2/8+Maran+chicks.jpg