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Wheatens are supposed to have a black breast in all breeds. But, I have yet myself, and I admit I haven't seen that many, haven't seen a wheaten marans roo with a solid black breast.
Interesting, when I first looked at Marans, and at the French Web site, the standard for a bc male said "black breast". A few years ago, they changed it to allow for copper flecking. It seems to me, that they are changing it as they develop the birds to suit what they have.
Anyway, what they do in Australia, really doesn't have an impact on what we do here.
They also script their standard to fit the birds they have, which makes sense.
Why would a standard be written that didn't fit the birds that it would govern?
The French have just as many problems as we do here. I think that we are just more vocal about them. Which is a good thing...
Sue
And therein, I think this is why we collectively, and me in particular, are getting confused! If everyone's standards keep changing, how in the world are you supposed to keep up? I was leaning towards the French standard, afterall, this is where the breed originated. Then started to lean my thinking to follow the US standard, which at the time was more like the French's. Afterall, if I were to show, it would be here, not in France. But now it seems like every time I re-read the US standard something else has changed. I always assumed the "standard" type of bird was the goal to aim for, but now it seems like everyone is bending the standard to the majority of the way the breed "looks" here?? If so, I'll want no part of showing, and will lean towards breeding to the "original" breed standard for my own pleasure. This doesn't just happen in this breed, nor in this species, and I realize that, but to change it to the point where the genetic math can't keep up just seems wrong. Just my simple opinion, to each their own.
Debbi,
I agree with you, this gets more twisted all the time!
I was aiming towards the French standard, then it suddenly is not the benchmark. Now it's the US standard, and that is getting changed constantly. Were it will land , I do not know. But confusing...yes indeed! I want to breed towards the best goal I can.
Geebs- Again thanks for the thread, I learned much, but then it took a turn, you seemed to notice it a few pages back, as you mentioned that lurkers and newbies were probably getting scared of again...Yup, I was ready to ask some questions, but then the infighting got humming along, and I "chickened out". I'll just go back and lurk and watch and try to see where you all land.
No matter where it is, in my book the Black Copper Marans are a special breed that deserve our respect and best efforts!