International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[pioneerchick816]

Because I'm new to all of this I would like to see what the "bad" features are. Specifically, pictures of what the vulture hocks & middle toe feathering look like on young & older birds

 

[KF0002]

Because I'm new to all of this I would like to see what the "bad" features are. Specifically, pictures of what the vulture hocks & middle toe feathering look like on young & older birds

Pullet with vulture hocks


Vulture hocks is a recessive gene that crops up in Marans sometimes. It is when the feathers of the posterior tibia ( backside of the drumstick) are long and stiff, instead of short and soft like normal thigh feathers should be. Vulture hocks point point backwards toward the rear of the bird and are an undesirable trait. Birds manifesting this trait should be culled and not used for breeding.

*The pullet with vulture hocks in the pic isn't mine. I got the pic from the Little Peddlers Marans webpage on her disclosures page. If I get any more chicks with vulture hocks I will take some pics. I can't find my pics from last spring of the chick I had with vulture hocks. They are on my computer somewhere.


Middle toe feathering is also undesirable. Marans should be lightly feathered down the shank and outer toe on each leg. The inner and middle toes should not have feathers.

middle toe feathering

chick with middle toe feathering

 

[KF0002]

Here is a pic of the cockerel I had last year with vulture hock. Not the best pic, but you can see how his thigh feathers point back and downwards.

 

[KF0002]

Here is a pic of the cockerel I had last year with vulture hock as a chick. He had some middle toe feathering also.

 

[pioneerchick816]

Thank you all for the pics! Very helpful

So do vulture hocks occur in other breeds?
Is middle two feathering undesirable in all feather legged breeds?

 

[KF0002]

Chick with good leg feathering.




Cuckoo Marans chick with good leg feathering.



Another chick with good leg feathering


Hope that helps!

 

[KF0002]

Thank you all for the pics! Very helpful

You are very welcome.

 

[pioneerchick816]

That's a chick with some good looking legs

Another question...how do you get them to stand there for a pic so well??

 

[KF0002]

That's a chick with some good looking legs

Another question...how do you get them to stand there for a pic so well??

Marans are the most gentle breed of chicken I have dealt with. They generally just stand there for me. Sometimes I do tend to bring them in and photograph them on the kitchen counter when they won't stand still though. They get used to being handled and don't seem to fear people much. They are very inquisitive and social.

Hello my name is Kayla and I'm the chicken whisperer. (just kidding.. lol)

 

[marchick]

Marans are the most gentle breed of chicken I have dealt with. They generally just stand there for me. Sometimes I do tend to bring them in and photograph them on the kitchen counter when they won't stand still though. They get used to being handled and don't seem to fear people much. They are very inquisitive and social.

Hello my name is Kayla and I'm the chicken whisperer. (just kidding.. lol)

Hi Kayla! Or should I say Chicken Whisperer! lol I don't know why but I have several friends that call me Ellie May! I say that's not the first time I have been called Ellie May!!! They always come up with this on there own not knowing that so many other people come up with the same name! lol

I love how tame my Black Copper and Blue Copper Marans are!!! The 8 that are about 14 weeks old. I just walked up to the group of them and picked each one up and took off the leg bands. I never heard a peep and no one even moved. We have been working in that pen putting up wire to keep the wild birds out. They where all under my husbands ladder. We had to be careful not to step on them. They where all under our feet. They are my babies I sure love them!!!