Tag: chickens

About the Marans

The Marans originated in Marans, France, and were imported into the United Kingdom in the 1930s.
The hens lay on average around 150–210 dark brown eggs per year.  Marans are considered a dual-purpose bird, meaning they’re appreciated for their eggs and table qualities.
Recognized Colors:
White, Wheaten, Black Copper.
Not recognized:
Birchen, Blue, Salmon, Blue Silver Salmon, Silver Cuckoo, and Golden Cuckoo.
Egg Laying Facts
Expect an average of 3-4 eggs per week.
Color: Dark brown/or chocolate
Size: Large
About:
Class: Continental (French)
Size: Heavy, 7-8 pounds
Type: Large Fowl & Bantam
Features:
Comb Type: Single
Number of Toes: 4
Crested: No
Feathered Legs: In the United States, mostly no
Suitability:
The Marans are cold hardy birds, but not especially heat tolerant.
Broody: Yes / Average
Personality: Varies, however, generally docile, and very active.
Interesting Fact: Cuckoo Marans hens can be mated with an unbarred cock to produce sex-linked hybrid offspring.

Back to HOME PAGE

Understanding the Molting Process

Molting is a natural process that chickens go through annually so they can replenish and replace their feathers. Chickens need to grow new feathers to allow them to effectively regulate their body temperature especially those in colder environments.
Chickens will molt several times during their lives. The first molt is called a “juvenile” molt and occurs when they are only 6 – 8 days old… Continue Reading

Article by by McMurray Staff
McMurray Hatchery Blog
Back to Chicken Keeping Resources HOME PAGE

Broody Hens, Behavior and How to Handle It

Need a Better Understanding of the Broody Hen?


Signs of a Broody Hen:
Your hen won’t leave the nest, appears to not be eating, her feathers are all fluffed up. These are classic signs of the broody hen. First of all, she isn’t starving, she is eating and drinking, but it’s low on her list of priorities… Read Article
Chicken Breeds With Broody Tendencies: If you are only interested in egg production then you may not want to purchase chicks that have broody tendencies.  Broody hens can be troublesome, so if you’re not looking for a mother hen, here are the breeds you may want to avoid… Read Article

Back to HOME PAGE