Birchen Marans Thread

[Lilwanis]

They still have a long ways to go, but any initial thoughts? The three black boys all have sparse to no leg feathering. I have read in the FBCM SOP discussion thread that is an easy fix and as I said, my one and only female has pretty heavy feathering. These four came from crfarms here on BYC and all hatched from very nice, big, and super dark eggs. My other seven chicks are direct from GFF. I have read on this thread that GFF has some fairly light eggs (barely a four I think). So, using these boys to enhance eggs color on the GFF girl might be a good idea.

The GFF chicks are a bit young to tell much about, but here are the few bits that I can see about them. They are not as big as these boys I posted. They did not arrive as big and don't seem to be getting the same bulk to them that the above ones did at the same age. Some have a lot more silver on them than the above boys (color is looking pretty so far). Everyone has a pretty straight comb so far, no sprigs that I have found. No black eyes. Heavy feathered shanks, so much so that two (at least) have vulture hocks (I know those are culls, that makes it easier

). I really hope the girl ends up looking decent and lays at least a four. What do I do otherwise? I have no idea where to find pullets and I am leery of getting more straight run chicks, although, if it comes down to it...

I know this is not the most active thread, but hopefully I can get some feedback

 

[Lilwanis]

Bumping this thread up a bit

 

[Broad St Farm]

How old are they? You are going to have to post side shots of each bird you want thoughts on, also number them. Make sure they are good quality photos so its easy to see things. I'm still new to Birchens but will help. A couple things though. Make sure that you know what vulture hocks are before culling. Don't hold Birchens to the same standard as BCMs. They are even newer and they are a mess. I would only cull for major things and slowly improve. The SOPs will be similar I'm sure between BCM/Birchens. SOP has been written but not accepted. Stick with the basics, ie body. I was told a long time ago, don't cull until at least 6 Mo old.

Put all your energy into getting a good male. Amazing what he will bring forward. Also until you get everything else consistent with your Birchens don't cross them over to BCMs for egg color. It will add the red/copper recessive and it will be very tough if not impossible to remove. I have been told you can improve egg color by keeping the darkest layers and breeding back. If you out cross they lighten. Don't be in a hurry, take your time. I know dark eggs look great but don't sacrifice the bird to get them. My opinions so take them with a grain.

 

[Broad St Farm]

I know from what I'm seeing is you have what appears to be a lot of pinched tails going on. Also your males top lines are all horizontal. They need to slope down to the tail. Then the tail is to be at a 45° angle. Also with wider birds come a more open tail. If you look at the male in my avatars, avatars has the correct posture and the correct width and angle of the tail. Well he could be a bit higher. He's holding it a bit low as he's watching me. Also the white comes in the exact same place as in the Black Coppers get the copper. However you should not see any gold/yellow or red tint to the silver. And no brown on the wing like a black copper. Should be the same white/silver tone from head to saddle. Again wait till they are 6 no old and we will take a look again. Mine are I think 1.5 no and I should cull all of them. If they were BCM I would. But I was told to wait with the birchens. I would jump for joy if I got 1 male and 1 female that were usable from the 11 I have. I doubt it though but we will see. A good pair that produces other decent birds is all I need to get a foot hold.

 

[Lilwanis]

Thank you for your response! I will keep an eye on them and pat pics in again in a month or so.

 

[jaybobrenn]

Im pretty new to Marans but I got 2 trios a couple weeks ago. Would this big guy be a Blue Birchen?

 

[Broad St Farm]

Yes, however the same theoretical standards would apply to blues as the Silver Birchen except your bird has blue instead of black. Your male has gold leakage along the back and saddle area. The back should be silver like the hackle color. You shouldn't have a yellowish cream color anywhere. This would be a cull. They need to have silver from head to saddle. Also the tail angle is to vertical. Your back angle looks good but the tail should go out 45 degrees from the back. Now all this is if your breeding to the sop. Can't see anything else because I'm on my phone and the pictures don't show well.

 

[jaybobrenn]

Im not planning on breeding this guy, i just got him as part of a trio with a pair of Cuckoo hens and was trying to figure out what he was. anyways i think he's pretty but i agree he definitly isn't colored like the other Birchens i saw on here. Thanks

 

[lawatt]

my two birchen marans chicks are 8 weeks old now -- got some updated pictures today, although the pullet is the most elusive of all my grow-out chicks, it was impossible to get a good photo of her!


maria trying to get away from the camera


the best i was able to snap of maria -- she's getting some lovely grey/silver lacing on the edges of her feathers, especially around her neck


jack


jack


detail of jack's feathers -- he has both a green and a dark blue sheen happening, so beautiful!

 

[jan12]

Pretty birds! I love your pullet - that silver laced coloring is so beautiful. But at 8 weeks shouldn't some birchen silver be showing on your cockerel? Mine all have.. Even the blackest one at 7 weeks. Here's one of my 5 week old cockerels: