French Black Copper Moran

[ducks4you]

I often tell me hens about the wonders of Freezer Camp, but they are not impressed.

 

[bobm]

Did they lay better getting to see the stew pot? I understand motivation, just figured a chicken wouldn’t get the subtleness of it.

Well, it's like this ... my chickens mistook the stew pot for a hot tub, so they striped to bare skin and jumped right in and partied until they were done. Then they sat as guests of honor at the dinner table.

 

[seedcorn]

I showed mine a Popeye's poster once and explained the significance. It did not help.

Obviously you were not as clear as @bobm . ;-)

 

[catjac1975]

I'm thinking of getting a dark chocolate egg layer. Welsummer is not available but the Moran is. Anyone have experience raising them?

Does it really take 8-9 months for them to start laying?

Mary

I have raised both. Meanest roosters I ever had. Lovely hens. I don't remember how long they took to lay. But I have a few that are quite a few years old and they are laying again after some winter time off.

 

[flowerbug]

I showed mine a Popeye's poster once and explained the significance. It did not help.

they didn't come up with the phrase "bird brains" for nothin'...

not many birds are smart - the crows seem to be.

 

[ninnymary]

they didn't come up with the phrase "bird brains" for nothin'...

not many birds are smart - the crows seem to be.

Haha, I lovingly use bird brain with my adult kids.

Mary

 

[Beekissed]

I don't know what causes it, but mine start laying significantly better after I do the spring check for laying and tag those that will be culled in the fall. Egg counts go up abruptly after that night and I can almost swear the rooster is laying too...caught him coming out of a nest box the other day.

The best all time layers I've had in every flock down through the years have always been black Australorps. Doesn't matter from what source, they always lay consistently well through all seasons and weathers, into a ripe old age, are lovely while doing it and are a docile, quirky breed of hen. They don't often go broody, so I depend on them to keep egg numbers up while my WRs take time off each spring to raise youngin's.

I think the BAs are very pretty, especially in the sun light. But, even better than their beauty, they are thrifty on feed, hard working on range, have extremely good health and longevity of laying life, lay well in the winter months, etc. So, a good breed to invest in if you have a pet flock that you also want to lay well...they will get to stay with you a long while and are worthy of their feed in all ways.

 

[thistlebloom]

@Beekissed , I have an 8 year old BA. She's one I couldn't bring myself to ever cull. I agree with you on temperament. She still lays an occasional egg, or at least she was laying last year. Nothing yet this spring but that's ok, Jetta has earned herself pet status around here.

Now that I think about it, she has been 8 for awhile...she's got to be 9 now at least.

 

[ducks4you]

I will keep that in mind. I think I will always have a few EE's bc I love the blue eggs, but there are SO MANY brown egg layers out there to learn about. Might be buying a BA in My future, too.

 

[canesisters]

For the first few years of owning chickens I would go to the swaps every spring and come home with a half dozen chicks - one of this breed and one of that breed and one of that other breed. It let me 'try out' several. Of course.. not a FAIR trial when the chick turned out to be a roo..