Marans? Dubious

[Sterkfarm]

Hi Everyone, I was sold these birds as chicks from a fellow who kept wheatens...I saw the flock and the eggs and they looked like 'normal' wheaten marans to me. Flash forward 4 months and this is what i have.

Mr doesnt look like any marans roo I've ever seen and Mrs is almost a uniform buff (like the typical neck feathers except all over; she appears to lack the lovely pale body feathering that is typical). Yes there is gradiation but shes dark. not to mention the black wing feathers?? So I wonder about her. What have I gotten my hands on here?! Also my coop is painted a bright sunny yellow so the pics aren't taken in totally natural lighting. His neck feathers are a pale beige color. They take on a weird gold cast in the light that doesn't exist.

 

[Frost Homestead]

Im not sure about the first two pics, they don't look right at all. The third one is definitely a wheaten, that orangish color is what you want, it shouldn't be pale or creamy colored. (the black on the wings is good too)

 

[Wyandottes7]

I'm not sure about the first two birds. They may just be poorly colored Wheatens, or maybe the breeder accidentally crossed them with another variety. Your third bird, though, is a Wheaten Marans. The coloring and leg color appear to be correct.

 

[Sterkfarm]

Now the birds are much more mature, I'll try and get better pictures in the daylight. They have changed quite a bit. The hen seems pretty legit but the roo, still dubious. Haha

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

There's no possible way the first two birds are wheaten. In fact, if you look at the roo's hackles, he's been crossed with a cuckoo somewhere along the line. http://maransofamericaclub.com/wheatenmarans.php

Here's a nice image by cnmfarm that I copied off the wheaten Marans discussion thread:

 

[Sterkfarm]

You guys are gonna hate me...I have pics of the same two birds but the site prevents me from uploading more than one at a time. So here goes!
I really appreciate everyone's feedback and advice. Here come the mutts! There is only one male and one female.

 

[Sterkfarm]

 

[Sterkfarm]

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For some reason the quality if the photo doesn't carry through. So just wondering if he is starting to look more like a juvenile wheaten. She isn't too far off the mark. Also he hasn't molted yet, could this explain the discrepancy?

 

[Sterkfarm]

When I say "he" above I mean roo-boy here. I know the difference lol. Tech issues. Sigh.