I posted this message under the heading of another one. Please forgive me, I'm still learning how to use this. I wanted to start a *new* subject, so I'm doing it again (properly this time)..I think!!

Does anyone know the personality of Marans and Welsummers? Are they docile, flightly or what? Does anyone know a source for these breeds in the USA? I'm most interested in the Marans.

Thanks!!!

A hatchery I know of is the Sandhill Preservation Center it has over 140 Varities of poultry and vegetables.(Phone- 319- 246- 2299 please no calls on Monday or Sunday and no calls after 9:45 P.M

I am in the process of running down my small flock of Marans as I have found them to be hysterical (flighty just isn't a strong enough word!) whenever you try do do anything with them - even when perching and the only light you have is a pencil torch.

Also I found the cockerels to be very agressive towards people but they've proved to be cowards with my other breeds of cockerel.

I am now using Speckledys for my brown egg production. They are a hybrid based on the Maran and are much more docile both with people and my other breeds which all free range together.

I too am interested in marans. Were the marans you mentioned handled a lot from chickhood? I was also reading about spekledys. Are they available in the US? I like the idea of really dark eggs, but not flighty birds. One nuts bird seems to make them all nuts.

In reply to Deeds

Yes, the Marans were handled. They were actually hatched by my 12 year old Silkie who has always been very much a pet - in fact if the door is left open she is in the house before I know it!

I don't know if Speckledys are available yet in the U.S. as they are relatively new to the U.K.

I have also thought about getting some Wellsomers for brown eggs as I do like the traditional breeds. Perhaps someone out there could give me some info on them?

Karen

Thanks Karen
The information that I have read says that Marans are prone to laziness and getting fat. It would be interesting to hear from others who have or have had them. Do you know others who have had them? If so, were they also nuts? I read of a Brahma rooster who was Psycho, but from all the responses and reading I have done, the breed in general is very mellow. I will keep researching. Do your Marans lay really dark brown eggs? Or Speckled? Just wondering.
Thanks again,
Deeds

Mine lay very dark brown eggs but I believe some strains are not quite as dark.

I can honestly say mine aren't fat but then they have over 3 acres to free range on so they get plenty of excercise.

I am sort of thinking about getting some Marans if I can find someone in the US that has them. People enjoy a carton of eggs with lots of different colors in it. I have green, blue, brown, light brown, and cream. It is fun for me too. The book I read said that Marans should have plenty of free range to keep them from getting fat. Do yours go into a coop at night on their own, or do they try to find their own place to sleep for the night. I don't have a problem with somewhat flighty birds as long as they will go into the coop at night. Thanks for all the help. Can't seem to find a lot about them from books.
Deeds

Deeds, If y ou are still looking for Marans, I can give you an address in WA. CJR

Deeds, sorry I've been so long in replying but I've been to India for 2 weeks and saw some very interesting hens scratching about at the side of the roads.

My Marans are very good about returning to their coop at night but they can be a pain when they lay away. I think because they are basically very flighty birds they like to get some where inaccessible to lay. I then have to keep them shut in for a few days to re-train them. I probably have to do this about once a month.

Karen

Thanks Karen for the info. I am going to try to get some
Cjeanr. I would like to have the address You can e-mail me at ddnielsen@hotmail.com.

Hi guys, any chance of shipping Marans chicks or eggs to Australia do you think? I have just heard about them and am very keen. They are not available here as far as I can tell. Dont like the sound of their temprament I must say, but Ive had white leghorns that were "hysterical" and some not so, so maybe I can be lucky.Do you have a breeders address or are you game yourselves?

My Marans are not one bit flighty, they are very calm and tame and are not lazy and lay well. True the odd cockerel can be nasty but he goes in the pot , they taste awful good. I have hatching eggs. pigeons@acadia.net

If you are interested in breeding Marans, you might want to join the RarePoultryBreeders email discussion list. They have a lot of Marans breeders on the list, and are very helpful to new breeders. In fact, some of the members organized the import of new breeding stock from France and England to improve lines in the U.S. and Canada. They have people interested in all kinds of rare poultry on the list, and answer a lot of questions.

(BTW, my Marans are very calm and peaceful, not flighty at all. It all depends on the lines.)