Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote:
Welcome, Mandi! Unfortunately, there are PLENTY of "over melanized" BCM hens out there. They should have copper around their necks but don't. Doesn't mean they aren't pure, however.

 

[flgardengirl]

I have quite a few girls who don't have as much coppering as they should. It is something that I am working on. I have found that contrary to popular belief that my darker girls lay the darkest eggs for me. My one mossy hen lays the biggest reddest egg and the ones with more coppering lay decent colored large eggs but not ultra dark.

 

[slick4591]

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That's one thing I've been concerned about with my girls. Out of seven nine week old pullets, I have one that is showing a little copper and the rest (even the one blue) are just dark. Don't know if that will change with age, but I'd like to see some color to ease my mind.

 

[pinkchick]

Quote:
That's one thing I've been concerned about with my girls. Out of seven nine week old pullets, I have one that is showing a little copper and the rest (even the one blue) are just dark. Don't know if that will change with age, but I'd like to see some color to ease my mind.

They are still young and you may still see some copper come in, but do not be dissapointed of it is not the amount of copper that you are looking for, some may stay very dark and not show any at all and others you could see some copper come in up until the age of 5-6 mos.
Just because they do not show copper does not mean that they are not breed worthy. Personally I would wait until all the girls are laying and see what color egg they give you and then cull from there unless prior to egg laying you find some major fault that warrants culling immediately and not breeding..ie, carnation combs, side sprigs, crooked toes, squirrel tail and so on.

Just take this time to enjoy watching them grow out.

 

[Wynette]

Quote:
That's one thing I've been concerned about with my girls. Out of seven nine week old pullets, I have one that is showing a little copper and the rest (even the one blue) are just dark. Don't know if that will change with age, but I'd like to see some color to ease my mind.

They are still young and you may still see some copper come in, but do not be dissapointed of it is not the amount of copper that you are looking for, some may stay very dark and not show any at all and others you could see some copper come in up until the age of 5-6 mos.
Just because they do not show copper does not mean that they are not breed worthy. Personally I would wait until all the girls are laying and see what color egg they give you and then cull from there unless prior to egg laying you find some major fault that warrants culling immediately and not breeding..ie, carnation combs, side sprigs, crooked toes, squirrel tail and so on.

Just take this time to enjoy watching them grow out.

Ditto. Go with the old saying "build the barn, first - then paint it" - meaning, look at type.

Case in point - different breed, but a very good lesson. I went to the Crossroads show in Indianapolis last weekend, and was looking at some banty Silver Penciled rocks (I have the LF variety). There was one there who had GORGEOUS penciling, very crisp, very correct - one of the best I've ever seen, in fact. She was placed reserve variety. The best of variety was right next to her - her penciling was smutty, not nearly as crisp. My first inclination was to wonder why on earth would the one with perfect penciling not have been placed first, but as I looked at type, it was clear that the smutty colored one had PERFECT type, and the perfectly penciled one had a few minor issues.

 

[fowlman01]

Quote:
They are still young and you may still see some copper come in, but do not be dissapointed of it is not the amount of copper that you are looking for, some may stay very dark and not show any at all and others you could see some copper come in up until the age of 5-6 mos.
Just because they do not show copper does not mean that they are not breed worthy. Personally I would wait until all the girls are laying and see what color egg they give you and then cull from there unless prior to egg laying you find some major fault that warrants culling immediately and not breeding..ie, carnation combs, side sprigs, crooked toes, squirrel tail and so on.

Just take this time to enjoy watching them grow out.

Ditto. Go with the old saying "build the barn, first - then paint it" - meaning, look at type.

Case in point - different breed, but a very good lesson. I went to the Crossroads show in Indianapolis last weekend, and was looking at some banty Silver Penciled rocks (I have the LF variety). There was one there who had GORGEOUS penciling, very crisp, very correct - one of the best I've ever seen, in fact. She was placed reserve variety. The best of variety was right next to her - her penciling was smutty, not nearly as crisp. My first inclination was to wonder why on earth would the one with perfect penciling not have been placed first, but as I looked at type, it was clear that the smutty colored one had PERFECT type, and the perfectly penciled one had a few minor issues.

Type is the most important part of the chicken in a judging contest.

Nice talking to you back there Wynette

Walt

 

[geebs]

Yes.... and as dual purpose birds.... They probably should have some SUBSTANCE.... Loving them chunky monkies!!!

 

[pinkchick]

So I want to know when Bev and Walt and Wynette and Marquisella and Edgar and EVERYONE else is going to come out here to one of the big shows on the West Coast????????

 

[stoopid]

Morning, all. I don't want to get off track, but I have pics.... A friend gave me some Silkie eggs last month, and after I PROMISED myself NO MORE, well, you know....
There was lots of room, so I took some of my new Marans pullet eggs out of the fridge, after they were washed, and gave it a shot.
I saved them, after being in the bator, just for show and tell. I am sure this is a move I will soon regret.

And I think Clyde is a daddy...

My first Blue Copper Marans!

 

[fowlman01]

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I live on the west coast.......I show in most of the shows out here. Will be showing in Bakersfield in a couple of weeks and then the week after in Reno NV.

Walt