California - Northern

[One Chick Two]

They are very nice.

What line are they?

Thank you.

These are from Smallbrook Farms line, which she worked with. I believe most likely descended via Wade Jeanne. We were very fortunate that she worked with the type and size of her birds.

It took a lot of work, test mating, lots of culling, etc, to get even this far.

We will now test mate all the best cockerels for the next gen to PR, (but the brown egg layers who lay white eggs) to see who darkens eggs the most, and carries on the best, dark egg laying genetics, but still conforms to SOP, and looks nice.

Quote: Those are fantastic looking Maran eggs! Did your birds lay them?

Yes- thank you! These are all the new pullet's eggs laid over the last few days. The pullet I showed the photo of laid the front left egg.

Mama hen was a great layer... not super dark, but decent, and laid very well. We hope to bring as many as the best laying, darker egg gene daughters who has good hackle onto F2. Also, we have on hand waiting, some pullet's descended from Pete Ovalle's 2012 Reserve champ pullet. We will see egg color first, test mate to check for Wheaten, then fold them in if all seems well. Those girls also have great type, gravy boat underline and really great hackle color.

Anyone thinking of breeding Marans really has to have patience, and be very careful about Wheaten testing new birds before moving forward. It's a really big concern.

 

[ronott1]

Thank you.

These are from Smallbrook Farms line, which she worked with. I believe most likely descended via Wade Jeanne. We were very fortunate that she worked with the type and size of her birds.

It took a lot of work, test mating, lots of culling, etc, to get even this far.

We will now test mate all the best cockerels for the next gen to PR, (but the brown egg layers who lay white eggs) to see who darkens eggs the most, and carries on the best, dark egg laying genetics, but still conforms to SOP, and looks nice.


Yes- thank you! These are all the new pullet's eggs laid over the last few days. The pullet I showed the photo of laid the front left egg.

Mama hen was a great layer... not super dark, but decent, and laid very well. We hope to bring as many as the best laying, darker egg gene daughters who has good hackle onto F2. Also, we have on hand waiting, some pullet's descended from Pete Ovalle's 2012 Reserve champ pullet. We will see egg color first, test mate to check for Wheaten, then fold them in if all seems well. Those girls also have great type, gravy boat underline and really great hackle color.

Anyone thinking of breeding Marans really has to have patience, and be very careful about Wheaten testing new birds before moving forward. It's a really big concern.

Thanks for the tips!

 

[dldolan]

They are so cute. Really like the coloring of Ricky.
If we weren't up to the eyeballs with Marans cockerels at the moment, I would be tempted. lol



Just my experience, but, I have also noticed that whomever you put Marans cockerels in with, they usually always seem to like them. Seen that again and again. We've recently put some older cockerels in with full grown RIR roosters and females, and there wasn't even a hiccup. Also, all the hens seem to take to them as well.

Good luck!!!

Thank you! Literally up to your eyeballs, I see! I brought home some eggs from Bev Davis last spring when I went to Florida, and the girls are at POL right now. (Splash and a Blue) The egg color was awesome, so I am excited to see what I'll be getting... I don't have any BCM currently, but like to have one to add back in color, though it takes two seasons (BCM hen X my Splash Roo= Blue, then back to Splash = 50% splash, etc) but that is how to keep working with the egg/leg color of the Splash, who seem to get "washed out" by F2, in my experience. Anyway, I could trade some Bantam boys for fertile BCM eggs! Just a thought...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Marans roosters. They are just the bomb. Calm, respectful, get along with others, nice to chicks, good protectors of their ladies...wish all roosters could be like that!

Thanks, ronott1!

 

[kmollyhughes]

They are so cute. Really like the coloring of Ricky. [COLOR=B42000] [/COLOR] Just my experience, but, I have also noticed that whomever you put Marans cockerels in with, they usually always seem to like them. Seen that again and again. We've recently put some older cockerels in with full grown RIR roosters and females, and there wasn't even a hiccup. Also, all the hens seem to take to them as well. Good luck!!!

Nice! My big BCM roo is super sweet as well. For how big he is, he never picks on my younger or smaller breed roos. Homers a sweet boy. Lol

 

[kmollyhughes]

Oh- thank you, Ron! This is the cockerel I have my eye on so far. So far, he looks a lot like dad roo. .[COLOR=B42000] [/COLOR] Have my fingers crossed that he can take over for dad this coming season. Dad will be in with the new pullets, with also his mom, as I would still like a few more cockerels similar in looks to this son. (Amazing how much variation there can be even in 100.) Even though we are still in F1, am even getting excited about how the pullets are coming along, too. Some of the pullets have become large, and have just begun to lay this last week. Many are getting well-coppered hackles. Thankfully, no golden or straw haloes issues to work through. And the new egg color (although still small pullets eggs) is as dark, or darker than their mother, so we didn't lose egg color in the first cross, which often happens during F1.

[COLOR=B42000] [/COLOR] Ignore wire shadows and strange, strong yellow morning light, she is not washed out, mossy or yellow, lol. The pullet's hackles only have a bit more to go (should also be on top of the head, above eyes as well), and a few gens of working on egg color, we should hopefully be happy campers-- assuming all goes as hoped for. lol We've found these guys can have many bumps in the road during the journey...

Nice! I have two groups of BCMs laying around a 7 on the egg color scale. Love them! Always looking for the deep dark egg color and super feathered legs.

 

[dldolan]

Nice! I have two groups of BCMs laying around a 7 on the egg color scale. Love them! Always looking for the deep dark egg color and super feathered legs.

Hmmm...Doesn't the SOP say "lightly feathered legs", though?

 

[kmollyhughes]

Hmmm...Doesn't the SOP say "lightly feathered legs", though?

I just can't stand bare or a handful of feathers on their legs. When they have some good feathering it just makes them look so healthy and proud. Nice feathering is hit and miss with some breeders and chicks.

 

[kmollyhughes]

Hmmm...Doesn't the SOP say "lightly feathered legs", though?

Don't have a recent picture of my BCM but here's a couple of my GCMs from Chickee this summer. Love his legs. He's a big proud boy.

 

[dldolan]

This is what I shoot for, following the SOP.

 

[kmollyhughes]

This is what I shoot for, following the SOP.

Pretty. How's your egg color?