Thank you for your opinion, and I completely understand where you are coming from. If I didn't want to breed for SOP, I wouldn't continually ask Don for his opinion. I know he's going to give the harsh truth, and that's what I want to hear. I don't want to be one of the people churning out eggs and chicks with no regard for SOP. That may be what my post sounded like, but that wasn't my intent.Okay, you may have sent them to the Lima, OH show? There were 14 entries in that show, and I am told the entries were overall quite nice! Let me know if this was the show you sent your entry to and how you did. Hope you came out on top!
It's "carnation," not "coronation." If you are seeing a few more small points coming out at the blade end, then it's very likely this is the carnation comb INFLUENCE. Many breeders used Penedesenca to improve egg color years ago (which I find interesting, since I've personally never seen a Penedenca egg that was darker than a Marans, but perhaps at one time they were). It can crop up generations later after not seeing it for awhile, unfortunately.
We've been talking on other boards for years now about folk breeding birds that are not to the SOP. There are several opinions out there, and it doesn't matter what mine is - YOU need to be happy with what you decide to do.
However, I do feel a responsibility to explain where those of us breeding to the SOP are coming from. By propagating birds with DQ issues (such as the carnation comb issue), it's putting more poorly bred birds out there, for more folks to pick up & breed MORE poorly bred birds from. Many of these folks will eventually wish to get really serious about exhibiting, and find that the stock they've invested many years in will not work for exhibition, and they end up needing to start over. We see this time & time again. Please do not misunderstand me. I'm not attempting to put down your birds at all. Without lots more pictures, or video, or (best case scenario) laying hands on your birds, I am by no means qualified to make the assumption that your birds have DQ issues or are not exhibition worthy. Just stating where some of us are coming from.
The whole feather quality issue is a whole other issue, and again, it's common with most breeds that have blue or self blue varieties. It's NOT a DQ, but it would be a tie breaker, so to speak, if two birds of the same breed/variety/gender and were otherwise very equal. I see lots of poor feather quality in show pens on birds that have gone on to win their class. Just something to keep in mind.
Very nice egg color here! The sheen is great, too, which is one of the hallmarks of a good Marans egg. Great work here.
The other thing here is that you learn SO much by seeing flaws firsthand! I've always considered myself a student, and probably always will. Sounds like you're working really hard on your birds - that's to be admired, and keep up that good work!
scflock - I completely understand where you're coming from. NO ONE has a perfect flock. I always say, the day I think I have everything improved that can be improved is the day I ought to throw in the towel.
The axe is Don's (an my own) most useful farm tool. The nice thing about chickens is they taste great with dumplings.
Kudos to you!! It's hard to hear negative things about your flock, but once folks get over it, it's truly the thing that helps them decide whether they wish to work on an SOP-quality flock or will be happy with some pretty birds that lay gorgeous eggs. I see usefulness on both sides of that fence. Not everyone is up to the challenge (or has the time & energy to commit to) of breeding to the standard.
