Marans - SOP discussion thread

[edgarmongold]

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I would like to see some SOP birds or ones close to SOP so I can have a visual of what they should look like. I can get confused easily with people's different ways of describing certain qualities/characteristics, etc. Thanks in advance..

Try this link to Yahoo Groups and look under photos.

There should be some pictures of show winners.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Marans_Chicken_Club/

Enjoy!

 

[kathyinmo]

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You can't see those pictures unless you are a member of the group and a member of the Club.

 

[edgarmongold]

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You can't see those pictures unless you are a member of the group and a member of the Club.

You must have to join the Yahoo Group but you do not have to be a MCCUSA member for that group.

 

[youngbiddy]

Comparing a bird that fits the standard to your own bird doesn't do you much good if you don't know how to correct the faults you find. Showing pictures of the ultimate goal without giving any idea of how to reach it would be discouraging to potential breeders.

Personally, I was hoping that experienced breeders would "fill up the thread" with pictures of the work they've done to improve the breed toward the standard. Beginners putting up pics of what they've got to start with can profit from the knowledge of others and save themselves a lot of time and effort that could otherwise be put into improving the breed.

For instance, this Thursday I visited the operation of a man who bought some BCM's at an auction a couple of years ago. As he isn't particularly computer-savvy and there is little information in print about them, he was unaware of many things a breeder should know and his stock reflects that. I gave him a copy of the standard, told him where to buy an egg color chart, and discussed breeding practices with him. His birds should improve markedly in the next couple of years and isn't that what we're all here for?

 

[Wynette]

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This was my hope, as well. I am VERY MUCH appreciating the detailed insight into judging and points that edgarmongold is giving up - I find this to be extremely helpful, personally.

I think maybe rather than posting pictures for an "overall good bird" - maybe it would be more helpful to "pick apart" specifics, such as the feathered shank pic I posted. what I'd love to see (in this example) is examples of overly feathered shanks, and under feathered shanks along with a picture of the perfect amount of feathering for shanks - all in one post. Same thing for eye color, back length, tail angle....all the things that folks are working on. Thoughts?

 

[edgarmongold]

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There is not a single way to go about breeding and some will do it different than others.

A lot will depend on what you have available to work with in your breeding program.

In starting my breeding project for Black Marans bantams I have been fortunate to obtain some Cuckoo stock mated to a Black Copper and will be working with them.

I have also obtained some 3/4 Langshan and 1/4 Cochin to cross in to help reduce the size as the bantam Marans are more of an intermediate size than bantam.

As Langshan was one of the breeds used to make the Marans it should work in rather nicely.

After the F1 cross there are several different ways to go with the breeding program.

One can continue with the bantam Marans which have the disadvantage of having clean legs or breed the F1 crosses together and sort from there.

No matter which course you take you have the SOP to guide you and the egg chart to make sure you retain that part of the breed.

I would love to see the three types of feathering pictures and discuss them on this thread.

 

[Arielle]

I spent a little time with my birds today--looking at eye color. I was surprised by the differences in eye color. I looked at my RIR, and SLW as as my teaching tools so I could start looking at eye color. What exactly is black? and pearl? for eye color. Can anyone answer this for me? And at what age is the "final" color?

 

[OHmamma]

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This might help you one that one.

http://frenchmaransclubaustralia.yolasite.com/notes-on-breeding.php

I believe their eye color settles down around 6 months but I could be wrong.

 

[Arielle]

The eye color in the BCM is harder to acheive according to the Australian breed website. THe rooster's color is more intense and the hen's is lighter, more orange than red. The all black eye certainly looked odd on a chicken, but would perfectly normal on a pigeon! THe American SOP has a different description for eye color stating it is "a variety" with details following to define variety.

Edgarmongold suggested this discussion:

I would love to see the three types of feathering pictures and discuss them on this thread.

I'm heading back to the SOP to read.​

 

[edgarmongold]

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I'm heading back to the SOP to read.

The American SOP calls for a reddish bay eye on the BCM.

I imagine it will be the same for all varieties of Marans here in the USA.

Bull eye on pigeons is accepted in some breeds but not others.