Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Tala]

My bestest BCM roo got attacked by a dog and I had to put him down last week

However this guy is still standing. Could you guys (kindly) critique him for me? Is he worth breeding or should he go in the freezer -- we are processing in 2 days so it's his last chance. He's very nice towards me and the girls seem to like him, so as a rooster he is worth keeping but I don't *need* him if he's not worth breeding more BCMs out of, ya know?
Looks like he got himself into a roo fight within the past couple of days, the side opposite the pic his comb is a little scabby and his eye looks a little beat up, but he'll be OK in a few days.

 

[Wynette]

Tala - I'm so sorry to hear about your loss!

On the roo you have pictured - IMO, his tailset is much too high. He also doesn't appear to be very wide in the chest, but it could be the angle of the pic. He has nice color, can't really see his eye or his comb, nice shank feathering.

BEST of luck in whatever you decide to do!!

 

[Tala]

Quote:
Yes it's probably the angle of the pic, I was having a hard time getting his color to show beccause of the sun.
I thought the tail might get him.

But that is the part about Marans that I know the least about, which is why I asked.

My other BCM roo is far too red.

 

[Wynette]

Don't discount the other one, though, if you happen to have hens with very LITTLE coloring. He would balance them out. The tail angle should be at 45 degrees. I couldn't tell, but it also appears he has white wing tips (?) If so, that might be enough to not use him...again, JUST my opinion! He is pretty, though!

 

[Tala]

Quote:
When I said FAR too red, I meant it. I think he could compete against my RIR..... Hard to believe that they were identical as youngsters!

And I do have one hen who is mostly black.
I guess they'll just be making pretty eggs though

I may just hold off on the BCMs for a couple of years. I REALLY don't want to grow out any more roos right now.

 

[snowbird]

Tala, could you post another picture showing the chest and front.

 

[cejunes]

First off, I want to apologize if you have already read this on another thread but I was told that I should post it here, so if a moderator reads this, please feel free to delete my thread titled "Questions about Cuckoo Marans." Thanks

I have two french standard cuckoo marans hens and love them. I am having a hard time finding them a Mr. though. I called a lady the other day that breeds BCM's and she was nasty about the Cuckoo's and stated they are worthless birds, you can't show them, and that she would never suggest anyone own them. My question is this, does anyone know if APA is going to recognize this breed anywhere in the near future. My girls are beautiful (in my opinion) and their eggs are a beautiful dark brown. They just started laying this week. I would also like other's opinions on this breed. The pic is of one of my girls when she was only about 3 months old and the egg pic is from this morning (they are the two in the middle of each row).

 

[math ace]

Let me tell you what I found out today and then you can give me your feedback . . . .

I just got my response from Greenfire farms concerning my request for some Bev Davis BCM hatching eggs. I want to hatch them myself so that I can track how dark the original eggs are to judge to chicks / pullet/ hen final egg product by.

I have some mix breed hens now and am not happy with their egg color. HOWEVER, I don't know how dark the eggs were that they came from BECAUSE I bought them as chicks. My roo came from Greenfire farms and I got him as a 1 month old chick. I don't know how dark the egg is he came from. I don't know if he is carring a dark egg gene.

So, I don't want to buy any marans as chicks. I want eggs so that I track what is going on.

Greenfire farms sells their chicks at $19 a piece. They will sell me Bev Davis Hatching eggs at $26 a piece. . . .Do these prices seem high to you - - - especially the egg price.

Bev's eggs are rated 5 - 8. If every egg I picked up was an 8, I might be crazy enough to pay $26, but otherwise that just seems high.
Bev use to sell her chicks for around $10 a piece. That was as recent as the beginning of this year. I just can not wrap my head around these prices! I don't think it is normal to sell eggs for more than chicks - - - am I wrong ? ?
Bev, I LOVE your birds, but I can't see doing these prices. . . .

I am done with my RANT . . .

 

[math ace]

Quote:
I cull for nastiness in roos and hens. I am too small of an operation to have obnoxious birds. I spend too much time with my birds and spoil them too much to make excuses for their behavior. I like the 3 strikes and you are out policy. I haven't had an issue with misbehavior on the roos yet - -- 3 roos and all have been perfect angels. I have relocated 2 hens.

I think as long as the birds are relocated with the disclaimer - - - it is fine.

 

[flgardengirl]

Quote:
I think this post may have gotten lost in all the flurry of recent posts lol. I hope you don't think we are ignoring you. Welcome to the Marans thread~!!
What makes you wonder if they are pure marans or not. I really can't tell by looking but I think they look like black coppers. The roo is still young and it will be easier to judge him when he fills out a little. He doesn't seem to have feathering on his legs or outer toe but that is an easy fix because the leg feathering gene is dominant. So look for hens with feathering to breed him with.
Your pullet looks to be a blk copper as well. She has some mossiness in her chest but lots of leg feathering. The mossiness is the brownish on her chest where it should be all black. Some of the darkest egg layers come from mossy hens so if you are looking for nice egg layers she may be what you want. You could breed her to a rooster with solid black chest to get darker female offspring.
I hope someone more knowledgable will jump in here and add more to this. I just didn't want you to be left hanging lol