Marans and barred rocks. Pics added.

[grasjm36]

Hi all,

I bought the rainbow package from mcmurray and the pullets are 10 weeks old. I have quite a few barred rocks and then one quite petite pullet with slightly different markings that I had originally thought was a barred rock. Her head is dark dark gray along with her tail feathers. Her barring is more black and dark gray rather than the typical slivery/white of barred rocks and is sort of blurred. Could this be a maran? I have no experience with that breed.

These pics are terrible. I tried...

 

[RAREROO]

Blurred Barring is a description of the Cuckoo pattern so it sounds like she is a Marans. Does she have white legs ?

 

[M To The Maxx]

A pic would help.

 

[Illia]

Sometimes a difference in barring is actually male vs female. Look at the legs to really tell. Marans have white/pink colored legs, Barred Rocks have yellow. (although hatchery quality ones have gray, too)

 

[grasjm36]

Thanks everyone, I will try and get a pic tomorrow and a good look at her legs. She's (hes!?) a fast one!

 

[grasjm36]

I added some pics, I'm sorry for the poor quality. She is one of the few that HATES to be held. The picture quality lightens the color of her plumage.

 

[Illia]

As said before, pink/white legs and feet = cuckoo Marans. yellow = Barred Rock.

From the photos they look yellow, but your eyes are the final decider.

 

[grasjm36]

They are pretty yellow.... with a wee bit of gray on top...

I was really hoping for a maran!! I can not figure out my 'rare exotic' chick in this order. Gotta love those mysteries!!

 

[Illia]

To be honest with you, McMurray's "Rainbow Assortment" is anything but that. In 90% of all cases I see of people asking about their chicks from the assortment, one is lucky to have an Easter Egger, and never has a Marans. . . So, they just are left with brown and white eggs. Some rainbow. And if McMurray meant a rainbow of chickens,well, they don't offer much of a rainbow. Just standard, common breeds.

Sorry for the raint.

 

[aussieheelr]

Barred rock. She's still young, her barring will/should get better as she ages