Marans Rooster or Hen?

[donrae]

I vote roo based on the lighter color, how much comb and color there is to it, and leg thickness. I don't think the aggressiveness had much to do with sex, pullets can be pretty mean, too.

 

[PTFowl]

Thanks Rachel--his legs are large compared to the other CM.

Amy, I'd also heard that CMs are relatively docile and that fact along with the type of eggs are what made me include this breed in the flock so I'm surprised too.

 

[michalgluszcz]

Looking at the tail feather's it looks like a hen to me. It has a lighter color comb. I have a rooster now at two and a half month now and his comb is little brighter and bigger. So i think you just have a little hen that wants to be in charge

One more question. Does she chase hens or rooster around?

 

[member 102532]

i would say roo to. but im also pretty positive its a barred rock. it has yellow legs and black down the front of them. Marans have pale slaight legs.

 

[OvertheHenHouse]

Quote:
Wow - good catch, AMC - those legs don't look like my CM at all. Mine has the pale legs ... hmmmm ... wonder if this explains the aggression ...

 

[PTFowl]

Quote:
When I ordered from the hatcheries I got two CMs and one Barred Rock (plus other non barred birds). I had probably mistakenly decided that this was one of the CMs but i'm no expert at identifying breeds that's for sure. The fact that you identified it as a BR without even knowing i had ordered a BR makes me think this must be the BR not the CM. I should probably photograph the 3 barred birds all together for side by side comparison. Awesome catch AMC, thanks!

 

[OvertheHenHouse]

I'd love to see a photo of all three together - curious to see how they compare -

 

[PTFowl]

Quote:
In this shot, the aggressive bird (now believed to be the Barred Rock) is in the six-o-clock position. See how similar the color and pattern is to the Cuckoo Marans that's in the 11-o-clock position? This is what threw me plus failing to take more factors into account when trying to distinguish the breed.

Here's a shot of the two Cuckoo Marans

A three barred bird side-by-side comparison that includes the legs would be helpful but haven't been able to get that photo yet. But here's a leg shot of the darker of the two CMs.

 

[OvertheHenHouse]

Is it posible you have two BRs? I see my CM on the right in the second picture you posted. Otherwise, the markings on your two are much more distinct than what I have. My CM's are mostly dark with a few white accents (except for my roo, which is lighter but still doesn't have the distinct markings yours have). I see in your pix that you have two that have very pronounced markings, and one that doesn't. I'm wondering if you got 2 BRs and 1 CM - especially since your last pic appears to show a well-marked lighter bird with yellow legs - my CMs are mostly black with some markings and light colored, realy pale legs. If you look at the pix I posted, you'll see the pullet (looks like the 1 of yours) and the roo (pale like the 2 of yours but without the distinct markings).
Hoping that someone with more experience chimes in here - I only know what I've got in my henhouse and what I was told they were, but it doesn't add up with what PTFowl has and was told ... beautiful pullets, though!

 

[RollerDerbyLexi]

I am having the same problem. I heard that Marans are hard to sex. I am 85% sure my Cruella is a boy. He/she is exibiting rooster behavior. This is my first attempt at keeping chickens, so I'm going to hold onto he/she until I know for sure. Can anyone give me a ray of hope that this is a pullet? She/he is 7 weeks old.