Birchen Marans Thread

[Broad St Farm]

Believe it or not, the first male is very nice too. Not a very flattering pose, but these guys have been fighting for the past couple days so he's a mess. Once I get them cleaned up this weekend they will look much better.

 

[jan12]

Believe it or not, the first male is very nice too. Not a very flattering pose, but these guys have been fighting for the past couple days so he's a mess. Once I get them cleaned up this weekend they will look much better.

I see. I'd be interested in your updates after showing them. Really nice color on both as far as I can tell!

 

[Broad St Farm]

Well, got the birds all cleaned up today. I was going to do it tomorrow but the temp is going to drop. I was worried because these Birchens are flighty and hate to be handled. But I was very surprised that they really enjoyed it. The big male actually fell asleep while I was scrubbing his comb. Now that the main bulk of the work is done I will just do a little touch up on them at the end of the week. Oh and never mind my outfit lol.

 

[lawatt]

fantastic photos!

i'm noticing that my very-slow-to-grow-in-the-silver-feathers birchen cockerel has slightly different silvery feathers -- his have a black streak (larger than just the shaft) down the center of each feather -- hence doesn't look as solidly silver as yours. i'll try to get a photo...

 

[Broad St Farm]

fantastic photos!

i'm noticing that my very-slow-to-grow-in-the-silver-feathers birchen cockerel has slightly different silvery feathers -- his have a black streak (larger than just the shaft) down the center of each feather -- hence doesn't look as solidly silver as yours.  i'll try to get a photo...  

That's pretty typical and the SOP for the BCM and standard for the Birchens allow for that. The male in the second pic down has the stripe. You will normally see at the base of the hackle by the shoulders. They will get the thinner tighter hackle feathers all the way up to the head. Takes a while though. Mine are almost 5 months and they still don't have all their feathers. Some are gone too because of fights and my hens due to the males grabbing them. That's why I put the ones I'm showing in cages. Honestly I'm not expecting to win. Just going to meet people and learn. I tell you these guys took forever to get tails.

 

[lawatt]

That's pretty typical and the SOP for the BCM and standard for the Birchens allow for that. The male in the second pic down has the stripe. You will normally see at the base of the hackle by the shoulders. They will get the thinner tighter hackle feathers all the way up to the head. Takes a while though. Mine are almost 5 months and they still don't have all their feathers. Some are gone too because of fights and my hens due to the males grabbing them. That's why I put the ones I'm showing in cages. Honestly I'm not expecting to win. Just going to meet people and learn. I tell you these guys took forever to get tails.

mine is just about 20 weeks, too, so he has a ways to go -- although he's HUGE! youngest teenager in his pen, but by far the largest. and so far seems to have a fairly mellow personality...

 

[Broad St Farm]

Well I enjoyed my first show and I had the judges help me reaffirm which Males I wanted to use and what females I should use for type. Here are a couple photos.


I got the pullet to pose great, the male however is never cooperative!
Im looking forward to seeing these two develop further, and really wanting chicks, come on spring!
Not looking forward to winter.

 

[lawatt]

Well I enjoyed my first show and I had the judges help me reaffirm which Males I wanted to use and what females I should use for type. Here are a couple photos.


I got the pullet to pose great, the male however is never cooperative!
Im looking forward to seeing these two develop further, and really wanting chicks, come on spring!
Not looking forward to winter.

congratulations!! they look fantastic!

 

[jan12]

Yeah, congrats!!! They are beautiful.

 

[DaveEmily]

well I may not be that desperate yet. if my birchen pen will ever start laying aging I can hatch some pullets.

I have 2 Birchen Marans roosters and would like to breed for a few more. I have Black Copper,Blue Copper,Splash,and a couple Blue Marans hens. Will any of these work in matings to the Birchen to produce at least some Birchen chicks?? Thank You....