Let's talk Golden Cuckoo Marans!

[SixHix]

I think your darker one may be single barred (B/b+) and not B/B which is what you want for a golden cuckoo. If you keep the darker one and he is indeed B/b+ then half of his female offspring will be unbarred.
My theory also makes sense with you saying he looked like a girl chick. Girl GCMs are B/- (they have one barring gene because females only carry one copy of that gene) and so if he was B/b+ he would have a smaller head spot and be darker as a chick (just like a female)
just my 2 cents

 

[Mike O]

Cynstaub, Did you post pictures of your GCM's after they matured?

 

[jmcgee83]

Hi! I've been wanting some golden cuckoo marans and wandered if anyone would want to trade! Gcm for a couple raw white sheep fleeces?

 

[Our Roost]

HA HA, now thats a farmers trade if I ever heard one. Never seen a raw white sheep fleece before but it sounds warm and comfy. Hmm, I only have 3 GCM hens and no rooster. I am mating them with some Belgium Malines meat birds this spring. I trust their progeny results to be pretty good but not sure what color will show up. If you are interested in some hatching eggs, maybe we could do a mail order swap. You pay for shipping on your end and I will pay for shipping on my end.

 

[jmcgee83]

HA HA, now thats a farmers trade if I ever heard one. Never seen a raw white sheep fleece before but it sounds warm and comfy. Hmm, I only have 3 GCM hens and no rooster. I am mating them with some Belgium Malines meat birds this spring. I trust their progeny results to be pretty good but not sure what color will show up. If you are interested in some hatching eggs, maybe we could do a mail order swap. You pay for shipping on your end and I will pay for shipping on my end.

that would be great but this is fleece no hide its for fibers to spin yarn just the fleece. I'll keep looking I really would like pure. As I only want a trio.

 

[catface]

Just noticed all my GCM's have webbed feet! I didn't realize this was an issue since I've never had Marans before. Luckily they can all walk fine but it looks like I won't be breeding. I'll keep the pullets for layers but now I have 3 little roos who need to go

 

[chickee]

Just noticed all my GCM's have webbed feet! I didn't realize this was an issue since I've never had Marans before. Luckily they can all walk fine but it looks like I won't be breeding. I'll keep the pullets for layers but now I have 3 little roos who need to go

Awww, I'm sorry. How disappointing for you! I didn't realize either that webbed feet can crop up.

 

[catface]

From what I'm seeing online, it's a fairly common problem for feather footed chickens, especially Marans. I feel stupid for not noticing sooner (they are 3 months old) but they can walk and roost fine and I didn't know to look for it so it slipped past me.
That's what I get for not researching before buying something just because it's cute

 

[chickee]

From what I'm seeing online, it's a fairly common problem for feather footed chickens, especially Marans. I feel stupid for not noticing sooner (they are 3 months old) but they can walk and roost fine and I didn't know to look for it so it slipped past me.
That's what I get for not researching before buying something just because it's cute

That is good that at least it isn't something that will cause a problem for them. The Marans chicks are awfully cute. Mine are very confident and curious. I love the golden cuckoo coloring. I have GCM chicks due to hatch Sunday, along with OE, EE, Ameraucana and d'Anvers. Let the fun begin!

 

[catface]

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