Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[DMRippy]

I have been in here a few times but have to admit I am pretty new to owning this breed-- THANK YOU blackbirds13!!! I love them. I didn't mind taking roos. I still don't. If they grow up enough to get personalities I like I can keep them. If they grow up not to, well, they taste like chicken to me!

So, this is what I want to know: where do I find the standards for these birds WITHOUT spending 75$ on a book that will be changed and reprinted in six months??
In looking at these little cuties, some have much more black in their faces, other more of a lav color. The kids call one Skeletor!
What, if anything, does this indicate?
Can anyone recommend a breeder site?

http://maransofamericaclub.com/maranstandards.php

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/517113/marans-sop-discussion-thread#post_6577909

 

[BarnGoddess01]

So, this is what I want to know: where do I find the standards for these birds WITHOUT spending 75$ on a book that will be changed and reprinted in six months??

The Standard is only changed every 10 years so your $75 is well spent if you are serious about exhibition poultry. The Standard for Marans is new and not actually in the published Standard yet. You have to get it on the marans.org web site but there is MUCH more to the Standard than just the breed description. The first 32 pages make the book worth it alone, general descriptions and disqualifications, for example. Everything in the Standard is copyrighted so they (the APA/ABA) are pretty strict about what they will allow to be "published" and by whom.

Here ends my plug for the APA ....

 

[Christie Rhae]

Quote: That's what I was gonna say

I love that book. It is heavy with glossy pages...the chicken bible...lol! oooo shiny! ahahahah

 

[ashandvine]

That's what I was gonna say

I love that book. It is heavy with glossy pages...the chicken bible...lol! oooo shiny! ahahahah

Okay, so its on the christmas list!
Christie, aren't you breeding the blue laced Ams? And I know Barngoddess' pix are over there... DMrippey, I have some of your offspring here. I feel like I just walked into a room of slightly familiar faces. Nice.

I did a LOT of reading on the french and UK sites for standards. Much easier for me in english! I still don't know how to look at chicks and decide anything. I can see some differences but might just guess. I know the bodies of hens shouldn't have flecks of red, but what about as pullets? Is there a chance that molts out??

 

[DMRippy]

Quote: Almost ALL of mine molt out the mossiness. They are supposed to lay the darkest eggs IDK???? I have not tested that theory. If they still had that at about 2 months I would cull them. BUT I had options. My first Marans all the pullets were mossy and they did lay an nice dark egg.

 

[ashandvine]

Thank you for that info. I will reconsider for type now. Do they also lose the white primaries?

 

[DMRippy]

Thank you for that info. I will reconsider for type now. Do they also lose the white primaries?

I have never had any that kept them, but that does not mean they will not. Just watch them and after a juvenile molt you will get a better idea of what you have.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote: Almost ALL of mine molt out the mossiness. They are supposed to lay the darkest eggs IDK???? I have not tested that theory. If they still had that at about 2 months I would cull them. BUT I had options. My first Marans all the pullets were mossy and they did lay an nice dark egg.

I had one "mossy" young pullet/chick. She moulted out the mossiness as well. But kept her lovely copper neck!

(For me it is one TINY step at a time and each apparently small victory is HUGE to me!!!) (Her pictures when she was mossy are in my Marans album.)

 

[Christie Rhae]

I have one pullet that was mossy when she was a chick. Now she has a veeery yellow/copper hackles but no copper in her wings or chest and guess what.....my darkest egg so far! Ok that being said it is probably only a 5 1/2 on her best day. But if I am honest I think my other girls are laying 4's.
Looking forward to my younger batch of babies to be old enough to lay (different breeder).

 

[Christie Rhae]

Quote:

I love marans too! lol... marans, ameraucanas...and now blue andalusians! woohoo!