Chocolate Marans

[BroodyHuman]

Is anyone still working on this project? Anyone? Anyone?

Sorry. Lame humor.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I'm not sure if I'll have any luck waking this thread up after so many years but it's the only one I've come across with Chocolate Marans...well, this baby hatched out of a straight flock of Marans. I set both Black Copper Marans and Blue Copper Marans eggs which I ended up with a nice blend of Black Copper Marans, Blue Copper Marans, and Splash Marans chicks...and then this little mystery baby! It's now 2 weeks old as I thought for sure the feathers would start to grow out a different color and not stay chocolate colored...how is this possible when there wasn't a chocolate chicken involved???

 

[ColtHandorf]

It looks a bit like an extreme Black Copper to me. It will be interesting to see what happens as it feathers out but I imagine it will be black with a lot of leakage.

 

[BroodyHuman]

I'm not sure if I'll have any luck waking this thread up after so many years but it's the only one I've come across with Chocolate Marans...well, this baby hatched out of a straight flock of Marans. I set both Black Copper Marans and Blue Copper Marans eggs which I ended up with a nice blend of Black Copper Marans, Blue Copper Marans, and Splash Marans chicks...and then this little mystery baby! It's now 2 weeks old as I thought for sure the feathers would start to grow out a different color and not stay chocolate colored...how is this possible when there wasn't a chocolate chicken involved??? View attachment 1738334

This is absolutely gorgeous!! Definitely post updates as you have them, please!

 

[ColtHandorf]

@nicalandia - You've got an eyeball for looking at phenotypes and determining genotypes. Any suggestions/thoughts?

 

[CluckNDoodle]

It looks a bit like an extreme Black Copper to me. It will be interesting to see what happens as it feathers out but I imagine it will be black with a lot of leakage.

I didn't realize that could happen! Though it would make sense if there is just a lot of extra copper to a black copper marans. Lol

 

[CluckNDoodle]

This is absolutely gorgeous!! Definitely post updates as you have them, please! View attachment 1739349

I certainly will! I'm always looking for reasons to take more pictures of my chickens anyway. When my husband questions me this time, I'll explain, it's for science!! Lol

 

[bchomestead]

Is anyone still working on this project? Anyone? Anyone?

Sorry. Lame humor.

I continue to acquire the darkest Marans eggs for new roos to hatch and incorporate them, so I know for sure what their egg color started out.

A predator slaughter occurred last summer and I lost 3 of 6 F2 blue hens and my only mature Marans roo for B line, so that was a setback, but will be collecting and incubating again when I get through with a shingles attack to my head.

(I was going to get the shingrex vaccine "one of these days"). I'm blessed to have hubby feed/water my birds until I'm fully healed and no longer quarantined from my critters.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

This is absolutely gorgeous!! Definitely post updates as you have them, please! View attachment 1739349

An update of my mystery chocolate chick...she/he is an enigma...lol

 

[BroodyHuman]

I continue to acquire the darkest Marans eggs for new roos to hatch and incorporate them, so I know for sure what their egg color started out.

A predator slaughter occurred last summer and I lost 3 of 6 F2 blue hens and my only mature Marans roo for B line, so that was a setback, but will be collecting and incubating again when I get through with a shingles attack to my head.

(I was going to get the shingrex vaccine "one of these days"). I'm blessed to have hubby feed/water my birds until I'm fully healed and no longer quarantined from my critters.

I'm so sorry to hear of your set backs! Sending healing vibes from the Conner family!