Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[chuckeychickens]

I'm having trouble posting pictures of my Birchen roo. Not sure why. Please ignore me until I get this figured out. Thanks.

 

[3riverschick]

Have you seen the new HovaBator Genesis 1588, new for 2012? All digital and includes the humidity, too!

Click,

 

[chuckeychickens]

This is one of two Birchens that have the pure silver coloring instead of the gold-silver and gold-gold coloring
as we discussed previously. Would the Birchen experts in the group please advise me if the comb on this boy
has any faults? I'm not sure I can identify springs, thumbprints and all the other things that can go wrong with combs.
I'm trying to figure out if I can breed with this guy or if I should just take the lot of them to the flea market.
Thanks in advance.

 

[math ace]

hmmm....maybe she has something going on, like a family situation or something that is keeping her from getting back to you? I hope she will get back to you before too long!

Just made a phone call to Melinda. I figured, WHAT THE HECK... ONE MORE TRY!
SCORE! I made contact.... I will be picking up some Buff Leghorn hatching eggs at Newnan.

Where is that PARTY DANCE smilie?

Who else is coming to NEWNAN?

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Have you seen the new HovaBator Genesis 1588, new for 2012? All digital and includes the humidity, too!

"Includes the humidity too". Does that mean we can now see how wildly it varies in the hovabator or is there now some sort of humidity controllable attachment that comes with it now?

Not meaning to be a downer but I AM down on the Hovabator and it's virtually uncontrollable humidity. (I'm a MUCH happier hatcher with the Brinsea and humidity pump .... )

 

[gilavina]

Just made a phone call to Melinda. I figured, WHAT THE HECK... ONE MORE TRY!
SCORE! I made contact.... I will be picking up some Buff Leghorn hatching eggs at Newnan.

Where is that PARTY DANCE smilie?

Who else is coming to NEWNAN?

awesome!! I wish I was going to Newnan

I'm so happy you are getting some of the birds you really liked!

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Just got home from a poultry "Breeding and showing" clinic with APA judge, Troy LaRoche. My head is swimming. He provided handouts and I took copious notes. There were LOADS of questions as well and live birds used for demonstration. "Breed to the SOP", was his main point, regardless of whether or not you choose to show or not - and cull. Lots of discussion about breeding programs, hatchery birds, record keeping, health care, feeding, improving blues and self-blues. How to prepare a bird for show (showmanship) and how to maximize one's chances for LOADS of fertile eggs at hatch time. SOP was used extensively which was helpful in learning how to read the thing.

Also, a VERY nice example of a full blown carnation comb on a Blue Copper Marans female. (I can't remember if it was a pullet or a hen.)

And I did get clarification on the Canadian dew thing. Troy stands by his claim to me and I did not misunderstand. He says that clean legged birds running in cold, dewy grass, particularly in the fall, can develop stubs. And not just in Canada. He says he believes it is a reaction to temperature much like other species get winter coats. Says he's even seen it on ducks (his own.)

But the best thing - I came home with 12 Silkie eggs (Splash and Blue) which are now loaded in the incubator. Pretty early in the season for us so we're not sure if they are fertile, however, 2 of the girls have now gone broody so we're hopeful. Guess I'll find out in a week or so when I candle the eggs.

 

[3riverschick]

Just got home from a poultry "Breeding and showing" clinic with APA judge, Troy LaRoche. My head is swimming. He provided handouts and I took copious notes. There were LOADS of questions as well and live birds used for demonstration. "Breed to the SOP", was his main point, regardless of whether or not you choose to show or not - and cull. Lots of discussion about breeding programs, hatchery birds, record keeping, health care, feeding, improving blues and self-blues. How to prepare a bird for show (showmanship) and how to maximize one's chances for LOADS of fertile eggs at hatch time. SOP was used extensively which was helpful in learning how to read the thing.

Also, a VERY nice example of a full blown carnation comb on a Blue Copper Marans female. (I can't remember if it was a pullet or a hen.)

And I did get clarification on the Canadian dew thing. Troy stands by his claim to me and I did not misunderstand. He says that clean legged birds running in cold, dewy grass, particularly in the fall, can develop stubs. And not just in Canada. He says he believes it is a reaction to temperature much like other species get winter coats. Says he's even seen it on ducks (his own.)

But the best thing - I came home with 12 Silkie eggs (Splash and Blue) which are now loaded in the incubator. Pretty early in the season for us so we're not sure if they are fertile, however, 2 of the girls have now gone broody so we're hopeful. Guess I'll find out in a week or so when I candle the eggs.

===========================================================

I am absolutely green with jeualosy you got to spend a day listening to Troy LaRoche.

He's so knowledgable.

What was the name of this clinic? Will he or another judge be holding it again this year? I take it this was in Canada? Anyone bringing it to the States?

Best,
karen

 

[kathyinmo]

I LOVE my Genesis, and have absolutely no problem with it. On the other hand, my Brinsea Eco models are crap. Without a humidity pump they are worthless (to me). I would gladly trade my Brinseas for another Genesis.

 

[geebs]

I posted a picture of a marans I recieved in 2009 as an egg... ya all should go take a look... Buyers beware... If it looks like this... he he....eat it... Feel free to be completely honest... yep it was muddy...Don't worry he didn't live long in that wet muddy pen.... He is dead for sure... Here was my jumping off point... Uggggglllyyyy