Marans - SOP discussion thread

[Arielle]

Sorry I missed this opportunity to learn about young birds as mine are 3 weeks and just starting to show color. I'm thinking the ones with the most color at this point might be males? The russet color, is that the correct color on the hackles? Because the young birds molt so often, when can they be evaluated for correct feather color?

 

[edgarmongold]

Quote:
Any parti colored bird needs to be fully mature to make the final selection based on color.

Sort on other defects first.

We will be on Chat next Tuesday night at 8pm EST next week.

You might want to try to get into Chat before Tuesday so you can make sure that you know how it works.

 

[Arielle]

How is the comb scored?

I have been scouting out sources of FBCM and found many lovely pictures.
I've seen well colored roosters with multiple points; one particular rooster had 8-9 points and another rooster had 4 points; the overall comb seemed correct to me (upright, clear of the back of the head.)

 

[edgarmongold]

Quote:
There are only 5 points aloted for the entire comb.

Extra points or less points are 1/2 point deduction per point over or under 5.

 

[Arielle]

Arielle wrote:

How is the comb scored?

I have been scouting out sources of FBCM and found many lovely pictures.
I've seen well colored roosters with multiple points; one particular rooster had 8-9 points and another rooster had 4 points; the overall comb seemed correct to me (upright, clear of the back of the head.)
There are only 5 points aloted for the entire comb.

edgar wrote:
Extra points or less points are 1/2 point deduction per point over or under 5.

Good to know!

Next question: Going back to leg feathering. How is leg feathering scored? My youngesters have a thick , very thick feathering down the leg and toe; I'm still not clear about the scoring for thick feathering, including a feather or two on the middle toe vs no feathers on the middle toe but light and sparce feathering down the leg.It's hard to look at the feathers sprouting from the middle toes!!​

 

[edgarmongold]

Quote:
Good to know!

Next question: Going back to leg feathering. How is leg feathering scored? My youngesters have a thick , very thick feathering down the leg and toe; I'm still not clear about the scoring for thick feathering, including a feather or two on the middle toe vs no feathers on the middle toe but light and sparce feathering down the leg.It's hard to look at the feathers sprouting from the middle toes!!

There is only 5 points for shape on shanks.

The middle toe should not have feathers and I would think that it would be a DQ for stubs.

Have not heard it discussed by a panel of judges though.

 

[Arielle]

I was looking at feet today and noticed feathers on the webbing between toes. Is that less objectionable than feathers actually on the middle toe???

Back in post #106, I think, Edgarmongold mentioned 3 types of leg feathering. Does anyone have thoughts on how the three types can be used to reduce the feathering? It sounds like fewer feathers may result in a clean middle toe . . . ..any one know???

 

[edgarmongold]

The Wheaten Marans large fowl will be holding it's APA Qualifying Meet at the CrossRoads Show.

It will also be the MCCUSA's National Meet with a egg show and a breed club table.

 

[marquisella]

Quote:
I think it would be the same as having feathers anywhere where they are not supposed to be. No more or no less a deduction.

 

[edgarmongold]

We have a weekly chat on Yahoo Marans Chicken Club USA on Tuesday night at 8pm EST.

Good place to ask questions from breeders of Marans.