In the conditions of farm and on personal plots it is for the present quite seldom possible to meet hens of breed Maran. And this breed differs in excellent yaytsenoskost and great properties of meat. This bird gives the greatest efficiency if it is correct to meet conditions of its feeding and maintenance.
Maran: description of breed
Birds of this breed are distinguished by unique exterior and high characteristics of efficiency. Maran has appeared as a result of selection work of the French hen houses at the end of the 19th century. The name of breed comes from the name of the French city of Maran. This region of France always differed in severe conditions that has allowed to develop resistance to adverse effects of the environment at hens. The breed was highly appreciated at the exhibition of 1914 which was taking place in the city of La Rochelle then has quickly dispersed across the whole Europe.
Maran – the average size bird: roosters reach weight in 4 kg, layers – to 3 kg. All representatives of this breed are distinguished by eyes of orange-red shade. The shape of trunk which is slightly extended the head small, short tail falls down down at an angle about 45 degrees. Feathers densely adjoin to body; plumage of males more solid. Dense feathers on neck of bird form noticeable "collar". Standing – up to four well allocated fingers of dark gray or white color. Powerful beak, slightly curved, yellow color.
Dwarfish subspecies of breed Maran are known. From normal hens they are distinguished by more modest sizes: the mass of rooster seldom exceeds kilogram. Hens breeds Maran differ in quiet temper and steadiness. However in the conditions of broad walking this bird can behave very quickly and actively.
This breed belongs to meat - egg group. The layer in year is capable to lay to one and a half hundred eggs of chocolate color. Eggs possess rather strong shell and differ in excellent tastes. Large eggs of such hens are of the main value.
The color gamma of plumage of hens of breed Maran differs in big variety. Very often individuals meet black, black and copper or silvery color of feathers. Feature of color – availability on neck of the poured "golden necklace". For this reason of such hens quite often call "gold cuckoos". Also bright golden spots on breasts and prevalence of feathers of red shade on back are characteristic of males. Subspecies with white plumage are less popular though the coloring does not affect efficiency of bird in any way.
Keeping of hens
Peaceful character of representatives of breed Maran allows to support them not only in the enclosed space, but also in open walking. The most acceptable option: to equip rather free and spacious and the open-air cage with availability of grass. Being in the open air, this bird increases the efficiency and begins to rush much better. It is better to choose under the open-air cage the dry place: Maran does not take out high humidity though it is very resistant to the majority of "chicken" diseases.
Arranging the room for keeping of hens of this breed, it is necessary to provide to bird good light conditions. LED lamps are for this purpose quite suitable. Lighting is absolutely necessary for marana for the normal growth and development. During the winter period the hen house should be lit not less than 10 hours. Floor is more preferable wooden. There are enough efforts with it, but on such covering Maran feels more comfortably. No more than five individuals have to fall on square meter of the hen house.
Feeding of hens of breed Maran
The efficiency will entirely depend on healthy nutrition of bird. Competently made diet – pledge of the fact that Maran will be healthy. Basis of power supply of hens of this breed – grain; preference should be given to wheat grains. Chopped greens with vitamin supplements will become good addition to diet. In general marana do not differ in insistence to food, it is possible to feed them just as hens of other breeds.
Experienced poultry breeders recommend to mix with food of hens calcium, limestone, meat and bone meal and boiled fish from time to time (the salmon is especially good). One layer in year is capable to eat to 40 kg of the concentrated forages and 15 kg of greens. Corn will become good source of carbohydrates for Maran. It is a lot of cellulose improving condition of plumage, contains oats. To third of grain it is possible to bring in diet of bird in germinated look.
It is not necessary to limit maran in water. A day one bird consumes up to 250 ml of this liquid. Take care of that in the hen house always was rakushnyak and swept. These substances raise yaytsenoskost, improve exterior of bird, support bright coloring of feathers.