Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Hens and Roos]

Quote:
I don't think this comb problem is just side sprigs. You don't see it in other breeds or at least I haven't seen it and I look at lots of chickens. The APA could allow two combs but one of them would not be that kind of comb. It is clear that they are defective combs ....call them side sprigs or whatever, they are defective and don't fit any other APA accepted comb description.

Walt

Yes, Walt, I agree! This comb is a monstrosity, and makes me ill every time I look at it. Sprigs are just that, sprigs. These are shaped like crowns, multiple sprigs on the sides and the back of the comb, like a Carnation. The ones I have look like they have a double dose of whatever is causing it. Can you explain "Gene Stacking"? Might this term apply to this problem??

From what I can find doing a quick search online- Gene Stacking is discribed as being a concentration of genes- so the more something is inbreed you get a higher concentration of those specific genes. Will continue to look and hopefully if someone else can explain it better they will do so.

 

[Cadeau]

Happy Birthday, Kim!

Hiya Debbi - forgot you, sorry!
I don't know why they won't load...though, perhaps, the sheer quantity??
The last post is the roo I need help with!


As for my birds - I put 2 ladies with a sprig into the layer barn.
Any roos with any comb weirdness are in the freezer camp barn and have a date with the freezer tomorrow!


Not taking ANY chances of a comb explosion here!!

 

[pinkchick]

Quote:
I don't think this comb problem is just side sprigs. You don't see it in other breeds or at least I haven't seen it and I look at lots of chickens. The APA could allow two combs but one of them would not be that kind of comb. It is clear that they are defective combs ....call them side sprigs or whatever, they are defective and don't fit any other APA accepted comb description.

Walt

Yes, Walt, I agree! This comb is a monstrosity, and makes me ill every time I look at it. Sprigs are just that, sprigs. These are shaped like crowns, multiple sprigs on the sides and the back of the comb, like a Carnation. The ones I have look like they have a double dose of whatever is causing it. Can you explain "Gene Stacking"? Might this term apply to this problem??

Debbi~

I believe "gene stacking" is when a trait/s is singled out and controlled on purpose.....like if I want chickens that have pink toe nails and I want to produce more, I would breed that bird with another bird that had pink toenails and continue to single out all birds with pink toe nails and continue to cross and breed until I got to 100% homozygous pink toe nailed birds.
Genetically modified seeds are "stacked" so that they will produce on a regular basis the trait that is desired, genetically modified corn will produce 3 ears of corn at one leaf node.........regular corn should only produce 1 ear of corn per node, this trait in GM corn is perpetuated so that the plant bares more fruit vs. less producing heirloom corn.

I can't get started on GMO's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I am wrong I hope someone comes by to correct me and gives you the correct answer.

Google "gene stacking" and see what comes up.

 

[Cadeau]

I have 2 pips and one guy working on zipping right now!!

 

[Hens and Roos]

Quote:
Yeah babies!!!

 

[pinkchick]

Cad~

I love the blue gals....I think they look great! Didn't really look at the roo, was too love struck with the blues to pay attention to him...will go back and look.

 

[pinkchick]

Thank you for the birthday wishes!

 

[DMRippy]

Happy Birthday! Don't think you will forget when those babies hatched

on the hatch hope you see some babies before you leave.

 

[stoopid]

Happy Birthday, pink! Have a safe night out.

 

[Debbi]

Quote:
Yes, Walt, I agree! This comb is a monstrosity, and makes me ill every time I look at it. Sprigs are just that, sprigs. These are shaped like crowns, multiple sprigs on the sides and the back of the comb, like a Carnation. The ones I have look like they have a double dose of whatever is causing it. Can you explain "Gene Stacking"? Might this term apply to this problem??

Debbi~

I believe "gene stacking" is when a trait/s is singled out and controlled on purpose.....like if I want chickens that have pink toe nails and I want to produce more, I would breed that bird with another bird that had pink toenails and continue to single out all birds with pink toe nails and continue to cross and breed until I got to 100% homozygous pink toe nailed birds.
Genetically modified seeds are "stacked" so that they will produce on a regular basis the trait that is desired, genetically modified corn will produce 3 ears of corn at one leaf node.........regular corn should only produce 1 ear of corn per node, this trait in GM corn is perpetuated so that the plant bares more fruit vs. less producing heirloom corn.

I can't get started on GMO's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I am wrong I hope someone comes by to correct me and gives you the correct answer.

Google "gene stacking" and see what comes up.

Well, this is kind of what I thought. In my opinion, this started by way of gene stacking, whether intentionally or unknowingly. Shall we say, a "project" run amuck?? There has been several, (and here I use the term very loosely), breeders, that obviously have quite a bit of inbreeding (as in siblings) going on for sometime. I'm still leaning towards my own theory: 1) Gene stacking is involved, 2) these genes are dominant. I am NO kind of genetic guru or anything else, but unless you have the problem right before your eyes, the genetics you have in mind may just be a theory too. Right now, as far as I can tell, all any of us can do is to guess, and try to test mate as many birds as we can. If any of the genetic experts would like one, or several of my birds to do some testing with, they are more than welcome to them!!!