Assorted marans - pullet or Roo?

[Ursuline Chick]

We had a Marans rooster for about 4 years. We got him as a cockerel. If I had to give advice I would be friendly with him, but not treat him as a pet. So he grows up to understand you are in charge. Our Marans boy was a good provider and protector. He would take the hens, (He taught them how to hop the fence) out in our front yard and the vacant lots on either side of us. However he kept them out of the neighbors gardens and out of the street. He wasn't a very good dancer, but the hens didn't seem to mind.

 

[themotleycoopchic]

Hello! I also have assorted marans. Mine are 5 wks old. If you dont mind and have time would you please post a pic of one of your females so I can compare? Mine are supposed to be all female too and would like to compare them to yours in a couple weeks with comb size. Thanks!!!

 

[Ursuline Chick]

@themotleycoopchic Your males should have larger wattles and combs than the females, they will also be redder than the females. The boys' legs are often much thicker than the girls legs and set wider apart. This has been my experience. Good luck with your chicks.

 

[themotleycoopchic]

@themotleycoopchic Your males should have larger wattles and combs than the females, they will also be redder than the females. The boys' legs are often much thicker than the girls legs and set wider apart. This has been my experience. Good luck with your chicks.

So can i tell at 5 weeks? Here are a couple of pics They all have combs this size now. They look yellow to me, not red? At least comparaing them to my australorp roo at 5 weeks. (First pic)

thi

 

[BeccaRecca13]

So can i tell at 5 weeks? Here are a couple of pics They all have combs this size now. They look yellow to me, not red? At least comparaing them to my australorp roo at 5 weeks. (First pic)View attachment 3070909 View attachment 3070898

This is one of my other marans. From the assortment. I believe it’s a pullet as it is 7-8 weeks and doesn’t have a red comb and barely any wattles have developed.

 

[themotleycoopchic]

This is one of my other marans. From the assortment. I believe it’s a pullet as it is 7-8 weeks and doesn’t have a red comb and barely any wattles have developed.
View attachment 3070928

Thank you!!

 

[3KillerBs]

I have only had 3 males so far so my experience is limited, but when I was first starting with them I was advised to make a point of walking through them frequently.

Not to do it in an aggressive manner, but just moving at a purposeful pace about some task of tending them or rearranging the run clutter that "Just happens" to take me through the place the cockerel is occupying.

While doing this, I'm talking to them (me wading through the flock is a chorus of "Pardon me. Excuse me. Pardon me. Excuse me." like a comic cartoon).

They *almost* always move and if they don't I gently push through them with my boots.

I do not try to be Alpha in the flock. I am not one of the chickens. I am The Giant Who Brings Food, not any more part of the pecking order than a horse or a goat would be.