Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[flgardengirl]

Its funny how some roos are slow maturing and then just really blossom. I have one little BCM boy (well he's kinda big) that has smaller comb and wattles and just acts so much younger than his siblings. He doesn't chase the girls like they do either. He is about 7 mos now and should be chasing girls by now too. I think he is gonna be a really nice rooster though.

 

[chic-a-deee]

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When u say 'cull' do you mean kill?? Must be a hard thing to do??

 

[gilavina]

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When u say 'cull' do you mean kill?? Must be a hard thing to do??

Cull for me means they will not work for my breeding program. I then decide what to do with them after that decision has been made. The extra roos that don't fit in with my direction for breeding or have faults will indeed be butchered, processed, and will fill my freezer for the cold months here. The extra pullets will either go to my own laying pen or be sold off to others for layers. Then those that are not as good as the breeding stock I will keep, but are too good for butchering, then will be sold off. Usually I try to find people that just want some pretty colored birds running around the place or if the birds are good enough, as a starter breeding pair for them.

It can be hard sometimes, but grew up helping my dad who is legally blind with the process, so for me its about what is best for the direction of my breeding stock. I do have my favorites that are impossible to cull...they find their home in with the layers, but those are few and far between.

 

[Debbi]

Well, when I pen Pip off with a lady of his own, I am going to start giving him some Rooster Booster, or Red Cell, or something that may make him come on! He's been calming down lately with me, I think now that he knows he can bully the cockerels. He is now broad in the chest and back, he does have feathered shanks and one feather on each toe. Also has a decent tail set, and a nice open tail from behind, not pinched. I am hoping his lighter hackle coloring will molt out some, it does look like that may happen. On the other hand, with the lighter hackles, he may put some color in the female offspring? Something has kept him here for some long, despite all of his shortcomings, that I will just have to try him.

 

[gilavina]

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I'd be curious to see an updated pic of him if you get the chance! Is he the one that was your avatar for so long? I'm trying to remember for sure

 

[Debbi]

No, that was baby Clyde. Pip is one of those, "Hulk Hogan" colored boys. I may have an older pic of him somewhere. It won't be hard to get a new pic of him, he LOVES to have his picture taken!

 

[gilavina]

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"hulk hogan"? i think i missed something haha

 

[Debbi]

He's got those copper/blonde hackles, two tone. Some say it's due to a Wheaten influence, but I don't know. I'm digging for a pic.

 

[gilavina]

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ahhhh I get it now...you are funny! I hope you find a good pic! Did you see the silver birchen boys I posted earlier...? Their color is nice and silver...with just the faintest tint of a pale, pale cream on the saddle feathers...I'm getting there!!!

 

[Debbi]

Yes, I saw your birds, lovely!! You sure are getting there. I can't believe you culled out that Splash Birchen?? Those 4 pointers can come in handy, did he have other major faults too?