Is she all Maran or an Olive Egger?

[islandgirl82]

I brought a solitary egg into my son's kindergarten class to hatch out in an incubator a few months ago. The egg I brought in was an Easter Egger but I honestly didn't expect it to hatch. Much to my surprise I'm now a very proud keeper of a beautiful EE roo. Another chicken enthusiast brought in over a dozen various eggs from her EE's, Marans and her silkie. Of all the eggs she brought in, only 2 hatched; a silkie from her beloved house hen and a Maran egg.

She kindly gave me the Maran chick (a pullet) to keep my EE cockerel, "Houdini" company and found a companion chick for her silkie chick.

I'm not familiar with Marans, other than they originated in France and they lay beautiful chocolaty eggs. I also know the breed standard accepts a variety of colors but I'm not sure if my little pullet is all Maran and if so, could anyone tell me what type or if she's an Olive Egger? Either way, her eggs will not disappoint!

Ginger Rogers at 7 weeks


This photo makes me lean towards Olive Egger due to a little beard...but it doesn't look quite so prominent in person.





I did read that Maran's legs are either slate or white but not yellow. These are definitely not yellow...more of a grayish brown. (sorry they're out of focus...she heard some dogs barking and didn't want to remain still)


and that the bottoms of the Marans' feet are to be white. I'm not sure if this is yellow or light enough to be considered white but they aren't even close to the shade my chickens with yellow legs/feet have.


This photo was taken when she was about 5 weeks old.


Harry Houdini and Ginger Rogers at 6 weeks


Any input is much appreciated!
~Heather

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Of the two choices, OE

 

[donrae]

Of the two choices, OE

x2. Marans have straight combs, no beards, and white skin. Her pea comb, beard and willow-green soles all point to EE blood.

 

[islandgirl82]

Of the two choices, OE

Thank you! These were the only two options I was told she could be and I know she came from a Maran egg. It was gorgeous.

x2. Marans have straight combs, no beards, and white skin. Her pea comb, beard and willow-green soles all point to EE blood.

Thank you for the details on the characteristics! I hadn't really noticed her little beard until I posted the photos...just the ear tufts. Other than that, I didn't really know what to look for as I know there is no standard to EE's and every photo of marans I looked at didn't seem to have any consistency either.

 

[Wyandottes7]

I agree with the others, she's an Olive Egger. Marans don't have pea combs or green legs.