International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[KF0002]

Question:

I was considering purchasing some hatching eggs, but every photo I've seen of the hens or roosters in the flock shows droopy saggy eyelids

I'm assuming this is quite undesirable? Aesthetically I don't like the look.

I know what you mean but I've never seen the droopy eyes in Marans I don't think. I've seen it in exhibition bred Orphingtons before. I would think you wouldn't want droopy eyed birds, especially if you plan on showing.

 

[KF0002]

Are these droopy? @Auroradream26 two of the culls.
View attachment 1374447

Those dont look droopy at all to me. They look normal.

 

[KF0002]

View attachment 1374166 View attachment 1374167

I'm not sure they look droopy. The cock bird just has a big comb and maybe its causing the tissue around his eye to pouch out more? I dont really see that they look abnormal.

 

[clancys coop]

thanks guys. To me the hen was the most alarming, and I personally don't like that look on a cockerel, the very heavy comb and wattles.

Compared to my original stock the eyes do seem droopy to me and it is just off putting.

I'm not sure what I'll do.

 

[KF0002]

thanks guys. To me the hen was the most alarming, and I personally don't like that look on a cockerel, the very heavy comb and wattles.

Compared to my original stock the eyes do seem droopy to me and it is just off putting.

I'm not sure what I'll do.

Definitely dont invest in stock you dont even like the looks of. Keep looking around until you find some better stock. Check out Harvey Moore or Rays Marans on facebook. I have thought more than twice about getting birds from them in the past. Little Peddler has nice birds but her eggs are pretty pricey. Best of luck to you!

 

[clancys coop]

Definitely dont invest in stock you dont even like the looks of. Keep looking around until you find some better stock. Check out Harvey Moore or Rays Marans on facebook. I have thought more than twice about getting birds from them in the past. Little Peddler has nice birds but her eggs are pretty pricey. Best of luck to you!

I am in Canada, and I don't think I'll be able to buy Marans stateside. Its a big ordeal to import, and for me, while I want quality birds, the Marans in my flock are very much a hobby. I appreciate the advice

 

[KF0002]

I am in Canada, and I don't think I'll be able to buy Marans stateside. Its a big ordeal to import, and for me, while I want quality birds, the Marans in my flock are very much a hobby. I appreciate the advice

You can always come to the states and smuggle them across the border!

I know how frusrating it is to find a good start. I sure hope you find some.

 

[Hensndoes]

And he says I can't go to Runnings unsupervised!!! He went for a dehumidifier and is trying to tell me the 3 Keats are baby chicks!!!!

How is this gonna work when I freerange roosters and hens?

 

[KF0002]

And he says I can't go to Runnings unsupervised!!! He went for a dehumidifier and is trying to tell me the 3 Keats are baby chicks!!!!

How is this gonna work when I freerange roosters and hens?

They'll produce some ugly hybrids. But I know a lot of people who keep guineas and chickens together. Guineas will terrorize young chickens though, I know this for a fact. We had some to take up at the house a few years back. We dont know where they came from, they just showed up and wouldnt leave. I had a ton of grow outs free ranging and the guineas would chase them all over the big bluff behind my house. That was real fun fetching them and trying to get the chickens all rounded back up. Needless to say, the guineas didnt last long.

 

[Red Banks]

thanks guys. To me the hen was the most alarming, and I personally don't like that look on a cockerel, the very heavy comb and wattles.

Compared to my original stock the eyes do seem droopy to me and it is just off putting.

I'm not sure what I'll do.[/QUOTE

Are there redeeming qualities to these birds? Are they up to standard in other areas, i.e. type, color, etc? Do you think it is possible to eliminate the trait with your breeding program? What made you think about getting birds from this source? Other than eyelids what don't you like? What do you like? Sometimes Marans hens can look like dinosaurs, I myself like the pretty ones!