Cuckoo Maran hen Chicks getting feathers on their legs...is it normal?

[amartinlb]

All four of my Cuckoo Maran chicks that were all sold as pullets are growing some feathers on their legs. They were all bought at a feed store that I believe got them from Ideal Poultry. Is it normal for Cuckoo Marans to get some feathers on the legs because none of the pictures in our beginner books on chickens show feathers on that breeds legs. The one book I think mentioned that in France they are starting to show feathered legs but ours are from an American hatchery...

I can take a few pictures tomorrow if you guys would like be to so I can show you what I am talking about.

-Anna

 

[ve]

Ideal has feather leged Cuckoo Marans

 

[92caddy]

You want the feathers on their legs. When the Marans club goes to get them in the APA, they will have to have featherd legs..........

 

[warhorse]

Quote:
Oh, really? I have not kept up with this. All varieties will need feathered legs? Which varieties are they looking to approve?

 

[92caddy]

All colors of Marans will have to have featherd legs when they are put in the APA. They are working on the BC right now, then wheaton and then the cuckoo. They are working on a few other colors as well, but I cant remember what they are right now.

 

[warhorse]

Does black copper not include blues?

 

[92caddy]

Im not sure about that. I'll have to check and get back to ya on that.

 

[amartinlb]

So assuming mine color properly, they'd be considered pure or accurate Cuckoo Marans once the variety is accepted by the APA?

 

[92caddy]

Yes feather wise, but they also will have to lay the desired color of egg to be a TRUE marans. Which I believe to be a #4 on the chart.

 

[cottagegarden]

That's neat you got feather legged Cuckoos at the feed store. From people I know who have gotten the hatchery ones most lay a light egg like any brown egg layer, but some arent that bad on color.
I think we will see a lot of things change as the APA acceptance continues to be worked on but I had heard that both clean and feathered legged would be accepted into the APA for Cuckoos.
We will see.