Black, Blue and Splash (BBS) Marans discussion thread

[gotro17]

Help!!! I ordered BBS hatching eggs about 6 months ago from SOMEWHERE but can’t remember, or find, from who! The pullers just started laying the darkest eggs I’ve ever gotten and I want more of this line! Did you sell eggs to me?!? Anyone??? We are in Thousand Oaks, CA
Thank you!!!

 

[bigshawn]

Black Marans Cockeral, I got from April Howington

 

[Minky]

hello? is this thread still active? got some marans finally, and would love to chat!
mine are 9 weeks old only...

 

[Hidrainja4]

I have just started blue splash marans flock. Waiting to see if their eyes lighten up very dark right now and they are ten weeks old.
Also their squawk sounds more like a honk. Is this normal for marans? Is it a french squawk. They sound different than my other chickens.

 

[Minky]

Well hello there! Interesting- mine sound hoarse too! Mine are 11 weeks old, and Ive noticed the low pitched squawk when I pick them up in the evening to put them into the coop. (they like being last in..and I can't wait forever!) I took a bunch of pics last night.. some of mine seem to have copper feathers everywhere, shoulders, back, neck... they also sometimes have one white feather on each wing that looks like two little white polka dots from the back view... some have a ton of leg feathers, others not.... I have amber eyes on most of them, but one has black freckles on his eyes, and another has one wonky eye, not sure if any of these things will self correct over the next couple of months... I'd post pics (took them last night) but my phone is dead, so Ill post later.

 

[Hidrainja4]

The proper feathering for the standard is feather down their shank and down their out side toe. It is important to have that for the french standard. However, Blue Splash Marans are not accepted into anybody's standard so you can do what you want. I am trying to follow the standard because I want Marans looking like Marans. I will post pics soon. Much needed rain is happening right now, I will wait until tomorrow to take glamour shots of flock.

 

[Minky]

Ok, here are some pics of my cockerels. There are 2 or 3 I didnt get because they were running about in the forest. Will try and get those guys later.

My cockerels seem to have copper feathers not just on the neck, but randomly placed. Do those fall out? Or do I just have "bleeding" or what is this called? Any and all comments on any of my birds would be appreciated, because I have never had Marans before. I am not breeding to show them, but I would like nice chickens that look like marans, since I will sell hatching eggs in the spring. I mostly breed my flock for egg colour and personality /cuteness. and have lots of Easter Eggers, Olive Eggers and welsummers because that what I like. But boy do I like those dark eggs... so Id like a small flock of Maran. only need one roo though....

 

[Hidrainja4]

Try this link. https://maranschickenclubusa.com/general-description It has an official written description and pictures. I find pictures much more helpful for me. There is a standard for the color of the eggs. They have to be at least a number four on the standard to be considered a Marans. I have Blue Splash Marans they will not lay as dark of an egg as the Black copper / Black Red Marans, same bird different name depends on what country you are in. The Black Copper/ Black Red Marans are suppose to lay the darkest eggs.
The French standard as in the country of France is on the internet in English however, they don't have as many pictures as this posted link does.