Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Ivywoods]

Quote:
Ivy, you are lucky that Mt St. Chickenpoo doesn't do like our Mt. St. Helens did and blow up, spreading "Applesauce" for miles around! It is snowing lightly here...barely a trace on the ground...but that is supposed to change in about 6 hours!

No, I don't think it will blow, but it does keep growing and growing.

As far as cage size for chickens at shows, most of the shows I've been to (small scale) have had adequate sized cages. The birds all seem to be fairly content in there. What I hate to see is a fair or show that lasts for several days, and the cages get dirty and are not cleaned the whole time they are there. To me, that is part of what you are trying to teach these kids when they exhibit an animal. Good animal husbandry. Sometimes I wonder what's the point when kids or parents stick a bird in a cage and leave it there for the entire show, and half the time the bird is out of water or food, and the cage gets dirty and no attention is ever given. Then at the end of the show they come grab their bird, take it home without bothering to clean up anything. I know it's a little different at the one day shows, and some of the larger APA shows, but to me kids can learn alot if you take the time to teach them and explain the importance of taking good care of their animals and their environment.

Okay, I'll step off my soapbox.

 

[Heckel's Hens]

?? about my baby FBCMs...

should they have ANY white feathers?

I thought they were all balck, with a coppery sheen. Some of my chicks have white feathers growing out of thir wing tips, and others just black/coppery. They all hatched out of dark eggs from the same breeder. I don't plan on showing them, and I really don't care what color they turn out, but is this normal for BCMs??

 

[Ivywoods]

Heckel's Hens :

?? about my baby FBCMs...

should they have ANY white feathers?

I thought they were all balck, with a coppery sheen. Some of my chicks have white feathers growing out of thir wing tips, and others just black/coppery. They all hatched out of dark eggs from the same breeder. I don't plan on showing them, and I really don't care what color they turn out, but is this normal for BCMs??

I think about all of my BCM's have had white in their wing tip until their first molt. I would say it's pretty normal. I had one rooster that had a persistant white feather in his wing, but I gave him away to someone and he is now at freezer camp.​

 

[syble]

Quote:
Black Coppers. I was told wheatens may be next.

i'm new to the acceptance process, so bare with me. is it possible to get multiple colors recognized at once? Who backs them? the marans club? I'm almost surprised it isn't the blue coppers next then after the coppers because they seam to be kept in high numbers? I saw a lot of people with blues and blacks as well, and decent amount of cuckoos (though i cant vouch for the overall quality and uniformity as i have seen stunning birds, and some well lets say not!). Will splash marans be put up eventually? or will they be over looked like so many other breeds?
Thanks
Sib

 

[geebs]

Hey marans fans... Just found out Lensters (who has full siblings to Newnan) will be having eggies this spring!!! Blue copper eggies!!!! WOWOW...

He is awesome!!! He had Lebanon hatchery but the economy here bites!!!!

 

[flgardengirl]

Quote:
Black Coppers. I was told wheatens may be next.

Wheatens are scheduled to qualify at the Crossroads show in Oct of this year.

w.

Crossroads as in Indiana? Ouch! I had a wheaten male that could go but that's soooo far away lol.

Ivywoods: The cages looked like they kept them real clean at this show and most all of them had water, when I was there anyways.

 

[geebs]

Blues and blue coppers are different varieties.. The blues Pink is the in house collector/breeder on those...I don't know which there is more of ... the blues or the wheaton or how many have been shown... There has to be a certain number shown OVER TIME before they can gain acceptance, plus there has to be a proposed SOP... I don't know if one is done yet or in process...It is a long process because you have to account for the genes and how to breed forward over time without fouling the birds and still maintain an example of both the female and the male and we know that they look different so the language has to be such that it notes the differences.. Very long process and it is my understanding that a breed club comes up with a standard and then they look and it and it is discussed, changes may be made... several times etc.. The hard part is done... breaking ground... Maybe someone else has a better take on it.. that is my understanding of it..

I know wording is paramount...

 

[geebs]

glad it is far from me... otherwise I would have to get that color... ha ha (not)

 

[Hens and Roos]

Maybe this has been stated already but once they are APA accepted what catogory will they be shown under?

 

[marquisella]

Quote:
Black Coppers. I was told wheatens may be next.

i'm new to the acceptance process, so bare with me. is it possible to get multiple colors recognized at once? Who backs them? the marans club? I'm almost surprised it isn't the blue coppers next then after the coppers because they seam to be kept in high numbers? I saw a lot of people with blues and blacks as well, and decent amount of cuckoos (though i cant vouch for the overall quality and uniformity as i have seen stunning birds, and some well lets say not!). Will splash marans be put up eventually? or will they be over looked like so many other breeds?
Thanks
Sib

It was suggested that we hold a wheaten speciality at the Crossroads, but it wasn't decided for sure. I don't think it will happen this year. It was announced prematurely. I don't think there are enough breeders in that area that would be willing to do it then.

The Wheaten variety preliminaries have already been proposed and shown enough to have a qualifying meet. That was done 2 years ago. I think whites are also done with the preliminarys, but don't quote me on that.

The Marans Chicken Club, USA, is considered the parent club and they will be the ones to decide on the standard. That is another reason that its important to join the club, because the club membership has the final vote and input for defining the standards.

In order to get a variety set for aqualifying meet certain things have to be done. Pay the APA, I think, $500. This comes from the club, so its important to raise funds.

2 or 5, I don't remember the number, people have to show 2 of each, cock, cockerel, hen & pullet, at 2 different shows in a years time. That has to be certified by the show chairperson, and paperwork sent to the APA. AT the same time, 5 people have to certifiy that they have had the variety for at least 5 years. They might have to certify that the variety breeds true 50% of the time, but I'm not sure about that....

So, the variety presented depends on how many people want it to go forward, and if they are willing to do what is required.

I have to give Dick Dickerson credit, because he has been the one, almost by himself, to get the Wheatens & Whites through the requirements.

I hope this helps.
Sue