Quote:
All that makes sense to me. I for sure will more heavily weigh the comb if it presents a problem. Too me, like I mentioned the face of a great bird should also include a good comb.
I guess the best thing to do is wait till the APA grinds out the SOP for the breed before I start getting too wound up over the tail angle. At this time no one can be doing any wrong since they have no SOP to go by. And I am sure there is plenty to work on instead of searching for a better tail in my flock. A from the sounds of it, we'll all have plenty of time before the APA puts out the an SOP for any Marans. From the way it was put earlier, we may be waitng years not months till it gets finalized. And I guess what was also said earlier is true. Don't show our birds till Feb of next year. Or longer?
The qualifying meet is in Feb, I believe, so it won't be too long. They have to have the final Standard before then. I think they are very close to it now. The tail angle won't change from 45 degrees. You can still show Marans before then and actually it is a good idea. The more that the judges see the better. The Marans Standard is pretty much done. There are only a few details that are missing. Undercolor color in the BC and wCite in the wings/tail of the BC. check the MCC site above for the Standard. THERE WILL BE VERY MINOR CHANGES TO THE STANDARD ON THE MCC SITE.
Walt
When it comes to showing, I want to get our better birds out to be seen. Mine are not a good example of what is a quality Marans, but I agree we as a breed need to get out into the public our birds. When I hooked up with Heather at the Chickenstock to give her my better tailed cockerel, only a couple outta a hundred even knew what a Black Copper Marans was. That can be changed by a good group of dedicated breeders consistantly bringing at least one Marans to show.
Yesterday I read someone saying the only real heritage quality Marans line in the USA came from a Bill Fitch. Anyone here heard of Bill? The guy who mentioned Mr Fitch, said he was no longer sure what a real Marans is in the USA, since so many have fiddled around with the breed. My original Marans came from a Betty Jo ALdrich. And she had her flocks for several years. And this was back well over 2 years ago I bought 10 hatchlings from her. I bred the cocks to my Amy Bubolts BCM line. The only one I kept from Betty Jo was my Birchen cock. I am sure others out there have Birchens, I just don't see them on here. But, it is nice to know we can take them to a show and enjoy them. Not being able to win anything is no issue with me. I care more about the breed then a ribbon. And the big picture is getting more people into chickens yet alone Marans. I see showing as a great way to get more PR for the breed. In the only three shows I entered, I seen one Marans cockerel at our State Fair. He was NOT very big but had a nice tail and proper BCM coloring. I am glad to know you do want us to show our best birds, IF they are good type and size.
OH yeah, how can a judge tell what someone has done to there birds? I see you all still wanting to talk about it. LETS!! I was told that ABA Vice President Matt Lhamon said, he judges the bird that is infront of him? Asides from the Lauriel make up birds, how do you know?
All that makes sense to me. I for sure will more heavily weigh the comb if it presents a problem. Too me, like I mentioned the face of a great bird should also include a good comb.
I guess the best thing to do is wait till the APA grinds out the SOP for the breed before I start getting too wound up over the tail angle. At this time no one can be doing any wrong since they have no SOP to go by. And I am sure there is plenty to work on instead of searching for a better tail in my flock. A from the sounds of it, we'll all have plenty of time before the APA puts out the an SOP for any Marans. From the way it was put earlier, we may be waitng years not months till it gets finalized. And I guess what was also said earlier is true. Don't show our birds till Feb of next year. Or longer?
The qualifying meet is in Feb, I believe, so it won't be too long. They have to have the final Standard before then. I think they are very close to it now. The tail angle won't change from 45 degrees. You can still show Marans before then and actually it is a good idea. The more that the judges see the better. The Marans Standard is pretty much done. There are only a few details that are missing. Undercolor color in the BC and wCite in the wings/tail of the BC. check the MCC site above for the Standard. THERE WILL BE VERY MINOR CHANGES TO THE STANDARD ON THE MCC SITE.
Walt
When it comes to showing, I want to get our better birds out to be seen. Mine are not a good example of what is a quality Marans, but I agree we as a breed need to get out into the public our birds. When I hooked up with Heather at the Chickenstock to give her my better tailed cockerel, only a couple outta a hundred even knew what a Black Copper Marans was. That can be changed by a good group of dedicated breeders consistantly bringing at least one Marans to show.
Yesterday I read someone saying the only real heritage quality Marans line in the USA came from a Bill Fitch. Anyone here heard of Bill? The guy who mentioned Mr Fitch, said he was no longer sure what a real Marans is in the USA, since so many have fiddled around with the breed. My original Marans came from a Betty Jo ALdrich. And she had her flocks for several years. And this was back well over 2 years ago I bought 10 hatchlings from her. I bred the cocks to my Amy Bubolts BCM line. The only one I kept from Betty Jo was my Birchen cock. I am sure others out there have Birchens, I just don't see them on here. But, it is nice to know we can take them to a show and enjoy them. Not being able to win anything is no issue with me. I care more about the breed then a ribbon. And the big picture is getting more people into chickens yet alone Marans. I see showing as a great way to get more PR for the breed. In the only three shows I entered, I seen one Marans cockerel at our State Fair. He was NOT very big but had a nice tail and proper BCM coloring. I am glad to know you do want us to show our best birds, IF they are good type and size.
OH yeah, how can a judge tell what someone has done to there birds? I see you all still wanting to talk about it. LETS!! I was told that ABA Vice President Matt Lhamon said, he judges the bird that is infront of him? Asides from the Lauriel make up birds, how do you know?
Last edited:
