Let's talk Golden Cuckoo Marans!

[chickee]

unfortunately I'm finding that it's a dominant gene and can cause some pretty deformed and crippled birds. I bought mine as hatching eggs from a breeder whom I was told had excellent stock. Now I'm questioning their breeding ethics

unfortunately I'm finding that it's a dominant gene and can cause some pretty deformed and crippled birds. I bought mine as hatching eggs from a breeder whom I was told had excellent stock. Now I'm questioning their breeding ethics

That is not good. Would you PM me the breeders name? I want to be sure I don't get birds from that person.

 

[catface]

Good luck with your hatching! I love hatching chicks. I've got some giant cochins that I crossed with my lavender english orpington in the incubator now. Just to keep as layers because I thought they'd be cute and a bunch of goldstar 300 ducks. Not sure what I'm going to do with them since I don't need any more laying ducks but I can't resist a baby duckie!

 

[Our Roost]

Any chance that you can post a picture of the condition? It is not uncommon for some breeds to have webbing between their toes or appendages. I dont believe the Golden cuckoo marans has been recognized or accepted as yet as a pure strain of marans for showmanship purposes. It sounds as if you have plans to show these birds? Dont be disapointed if your birds end up in the "other" class of birds. It is a beautiful color that is difficult to repeat. Some of the parent heritage birds used to create this color strain and breed may indeed have some webbing in the appendages as well. If this is not an inbreeding issue showing constant concerns of deterioration, I wouldnt be immediately concerned. Genetics is a tricky hidden factor in all chickens. You just dont know whats going to show up or when. If your roosters and hens are related from the same bloodline you may be best to acquire another sire or rooster. One gene comes from each parent bird and you wont experience the results until you hatch them. It can be a gamble or a sucess. But the bad genetics can always be hidden and show up in another generation. Much yet to learn on culling for perfection which does not happen over night. Be brave and hatch a few out to see what the results are. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

 

[chickee]

Good luck with your hatching! I love hatching chicks. I've got some giant cochins that I crossed with my lavender english orpington in the incubator now. Just to keep as layers because I thought they'd be cute and a bunch of goldstar 300 ducks. Not sure what I'm going to do with them since I don't need any more laying ducks but I can't resist a baby duckie!

Wow! That is going to be some fluffy chickens! Those will be some real beauties!!

I really want to hatch some ducklings but have no place for ducks. They are the cutest!!

 

[Theegoliath]

I have GCM chicks due to hatch Sunday, along with OE, EE, Ameraucana and d'Anvers. Let the fun begin!    

Very nice selection of birds : ) it is what we are getting in a few months from a breeder in oregon. After what, 7 months of looking and asking around, I realized there is not one gcm breeder in washington state. People have them, but not breeding them (nore will I be). However, in april or may I will be driving down to oregon and picking up an oe and gcm. Cant wait!

 

[Our Roost]

Theegoliath, wishing you luck on trip to Oregon. I have 3 GCM hens and no roo for breeding. They fit in nicely with the rest of my breeds and flock. Not too skiddish and I would own more if I could! I may outcross with a similar bird of their heritage to improve size.

 

[rainbowchick]

Our first GCM is........... ??? It has a very light body and completely cream belly, but a dark forehead... When it first hatched, I saw all the cream and thought male, but the forehead is throwing me off.

ETA: pic one is more accurate color.

 

[buckabucka]

Mine were all over the map in color, so I don't dare guess! I'm sure chickie will have a better answer.

 

[chickee]

Our first GCM is........... ??? It has a very light body and completely cream belly, but a dark forehead... When it first hatched, I saw all the cream and thought male, but the forehead is throwing me off.





ETA: pic one is more accurate color.

Because I am not familiar with that line I am not 100% sure, but it looks like a girl to me. Congratulations!

 

[rainbowchick]

Because I am not familiar with that line I am not 100% sure, but it looks like a girl to me. Congratulations! 

The more I look at her, the more I think you're right on girl. I've got what looks to be a male in the incubator, he was breech, so I had to assist. I'm really hoping he is a he and that he makes it! We already had another male that died just a few hours after hatching.
Out of 6 shipped eggs, only 4 were fertile (grrr!) and of the four that went to lockdown, so far I've just got one chick. So, I'm REALLY hoping this last one pulls through!