PixieDust Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 I thought I knew which hybrids I wanted. I now am unsure. The poultry place sell a Withy Black which is a Black Star and a Black Copper Maran. Both are hybrids. I was going for the Withy Black but am now taken with the Maran hybrid. Do the Maran hybrids have feathers on their feet? Anyone have any experience with them? Pics? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adams Egg Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 I have had copper black Marans from Withy Cottage, they are as the picture on the web and not dissimilar to the withy black, perhaps a little smaller. They don't have feathered feet and are very productive and inquisitive. Mine thinks it's a parrot and tries to,cling on to the side of the run to get closer to food, very tame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PixieDust Posted September 30, 2014 Author Share Posted September 30, 2014 Have you had the Withy Black? Which is the nicer hen? The pic of the Maran isn't very clear on the website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adams Egg Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 I prefer the maran, a little smaller and very good layer, don't have a photo handy though, Terry at Withy is very helpful though and you would be able to see them both and choose some of each, or try a cuckoo maran Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PixieDust Posted September 30, 2014 Author Share Posted September 30, 2014 Thanks, will speak to Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 you could have a mix of the 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucker1 Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 Ditto, Withy marans here, both inquisitive and like treats, demand them and are always in the feed bin, one has been in the feed sack which didn't scare her, just more time for eating! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PixieDust Posted September 30, 2014 Author Share Posted September 30, 2014 I am allowed 4 and to be fair more than 4 in the run would be pushing it. I am definite on the Light Sussex, Bluebelle and Blacktail hybrids. Was looking at an Amber and definitely wanted the Black Star. However the more I read about them the more the Maran hybrid appeals. I guess a good thing is to be open minded and see on the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucker1 Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 Yes, that is a good idea...see what you think on the day. Just a note on the Bluebelle.......I was desperate for one about 4 years ago....they are very pretty...anyway got one and she was the noisiest chicken ever! There was at one time a thread about noisiest chickens on here and I seem to remember I wasn't the only one to have a noisy Bluebelle. She died earlier this year and she was the first chicken who was up in the fluffy clouds who I wasn't sorry to say good bye to. Anyway whatever you choose I am sure you will have some lovely chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 My amber Latte was lovely she was very friendly and laid lots of lovely eggs over a long period of time. She also lived for a long time, she was over 6 when she died earlier this year. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PixieDust Posted September 30, 2014 Author Share Posted September 30, 2014 Thank you both. That is good to know. I'll do a bit more research on the Bluebelle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 You may find that any research will be out the window when you see them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PixieDust Posted September 30, 2014 Author Share Posted September 30, 2014 I know. I am a sucker for animals. But I know not to buy quiet ones in the corner. Ask about worming date and last lice/mite treatment. Check for any feather loss and pecking. I already have names for the 3 that I am definite on lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 I'd avoid Bluebells. They are not particularly bright or friendly in my experience. I've read that many times from other keepers. Ours suffered from soft shelled eggs caused, we thought, by spending too much time hiding in the coop and not in the sunlight. Anyway an extra dose of vitamin D improved matters temporarily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 How do you administer your vitamin D Beantree? Do you use human tablets crushed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucker1 Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 That is interesting about the Bluebelles, Beantree...we have had just the one bird, who we initially named Primrose and then changed it to Dimrose! ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
