- Apr 9, 2013
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Hi All...
Just getting started with Marans and definitely have a LONG way to go, so need opinions from you more veteran breeders out there.
In April I received 3 BC Marans chicks (along with some other breeds). I've got a trio. The cockrel is definitely wanting as far as proper breed characteristics. He's got a thumbprint defect in his comb and I'd definitely like to see more width of body. He does have slight feathering on the outer shanks and toes. I won't be using him on hens with whom I want to set eggs. I hope to find a source for a nice roo at the upcoming December show in Shawnee, OK.
What I want an opinion on are the 2 pullets. Now going into this, I knew this breeder was not discriminating as far as breeding to the standard. I didn't really mind too much as my main focus at this time is the eggs. At the same time I obtained the Marans, I also got a couple Australorp pullets. All 4 pullet chicks looked alike initially. None have feathered shanks. (Again, I knew this breeder had Marans with and without shank feathering as well as BC Marans females without copper hackle feathers.) Like I said, these gals are not for show - just eggs, but it would be nice to identify who is an Australorp and who is a Marans. I have uploaded photos below, comparing the 2 types. 2 have more comb development and more vivid comb and wattle color. One pair both have fairly short tails - the other pair longer tail feathers. None have copper in the hackle feathers. (The cockrel at least has the copper coloring going for him, if nothing else.) All 4 pullets were from an April 1st hatch.
My guess is, the pullets with the larger combs and wattles and longer tail feathers are Australorps. The gals with the smaller comb and wattles and short tails are Marans. I'd sure like more expert opinions however.
Thanks!
Just getting started with Marans and definitely have a LONG way to go, so need opinions from you more veteran breeders out there.
In April I received 3 BC Marans chicks (along with some other breeds). I've got a trio. The cockrel is definitely wanting as far as proper breed characteristics. He's got a thumbprint defect in his comb and I'd definitely like to see more width of body. He does have slight feathering on the outer shanks and toes. I won't be using him on hens with whom I want to set eggs. I hope to find a source for a nice roo at the upcoming December show in Shawnee, OK.
What I want an opinion on are the 2 pullets. Now going into this, I knew this breeder was not discriminating as far as breeding to the standard. I didn't really mind too much as my main focus at this time is the eggs. At the same time I obtained the Marans, I also got a couple Australorp pullets. All 4 pullet chicks looked alike initially. None have feathered shanks. (Again, I knew this breeder had Marans with and without shank feathering as well as BC Marans females without copper hackle feathers.) Like I said, these gals are not for show - just eggs, but it would be nice to identify who is an Australorp and who is a Marans. I have uploaded photos below, comparing the 2 types. 2 have more comb development and more vivid comb and wattle color. One pair both have fairly short tails - the other pair longer tail feathers. None have copper in the hackle feathers. (The cockrel at least has the copper coloring going for him, if nothing else.) All 4 pullets were from an April 1st hatch.
My guess is, the pullets with the larger combs and wattles and longer tail feathers are Australorps. The gals with the smaller comb and wattles and short tails are Marans. I'd sure like more expert opinions however.
Thanks!
