Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[pinkchick]

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[pinkchick]

Here's the beginnings of a stupid comb.

 

[Debbi]

Oh yes! That one is going to be a doozy! That one looks like it may have come from a double dose of the genes, as in one bird may have already had a carnation, then bred to a carrier?? Is that a Gnarles baby by any chance?

 

[Mountain Mel 22]

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Why can't we just dub the combs like folks do with Bantams?

 

[Debbi]

I managed to get a few pics of my little guy. Hope you can all see the beginings of these hideous combs!

 

[Debbi]

Quote:
Why can't we just dub the combs like folks do with Bantams?

Bantams?? Please tell me you are not speaking of Marans bantams???

Dubbing only occurs, as far as I know, in some of the Game breeds.

 

[Debbi]

Maybe I'll just start a new breed. The "Maransenca".

As good as my luck gets, the carnation combs would probably never show up if I tried for it!

 

[pinkchick]

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Yes....he is from Gnarles, I hatched him almost the same time you hatched JR, he was just younger than JR. BTW: Why are you still feeding that bird anyway?

Send that bird to freezer camp lady!

This bird photo'd is already gone. He was the only male that I had that popped up with it, but you as you well know, you got one and I know a few others got lucky too.

This is the same cockerel at 4-5 mos.

I have had one pullet so far with the issue and I believe another pullet I have that is almost 5 mos. old is starting to show her true colors as well. Both of these pullets are from the same female and she is already slated for cull. I am down to only 3 BCM hens after that.....they are not safe from cull either. They are going to be bred back to Gnarles very soon and tested again. Soon as 4 more cockerels go into the freezer I will have room to seperate Gnarles and the Black Copper females.
Unfortunately what that does mean is that Gnarles and all of his offspring are tainted.....good thing Lil Bill is not directly related to Gnarles or his kid. He comes from a hen that does not throw it or she would have thrown it when I produced many many chicks with her when she was penned with Gnarles for almost 2 years.

I am basically only testing birds at this time.....killing time until I get new stock. Will only be keeping the hens that I know for sure do not throw it or carry it and that have been tested and will only be keeping offspring from Bill that do not carry it. Everyone else regardless of lineage will be culled or a layer.

I believe I when I am done that I will have less than 4 females to work with that do not throw sprigs or carnation. I currently only have 12 females left after heavy culling a couple of months ago.

 

[Debbi]

Oh, JR and many others are SOUP! My problem lies in getting them to the Amish so they can butcher them for me. When done, I will have maybe 4 or 5 birds, total. I even offered FREE ROOSTERS for butchering. Three people responded, none showed up!

 

[Hens and Roos]

Morning

just taking a quick break here before starting another project this am. DD(turning 12 on Monday) has 4 friends who slept over last night and will go home shortly so the house is louder than normal.

Hunters are out around here- heard at least a doz shots while outside doing chores- chickens are hanging out in the coop today- not venturning out and the neighbors dog will be barking(doesn't like the loud nosies).