Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[DMRippy]

WOW

I've not heard of that before...

I did look at the standard closer and see where it says in the general disqualifications section for color

Ear lobes.

a.) All Breeds where a red ear-lobe is specified.
1.) Positive enamel white
(see definition, pg. 10) (except as otherwise noted)


I would like to know where it says that the white is allowed on the ear lobe as long as it is less than 50% or how ever much.

Do you think we could get Wynette to join us in this conversation and fill in the blanks for us?

Go with Don, he knows!

 

[Keara]

So my first chick of the season has hatched! and it sure looks blue to me. But here is the thing, the blue copper rooster I had was killed by a fox back on Nov 24th! No way a hen could keep his sperm that long? Could it be that his sister, (who looks Black Copper to me) is actually a really DARK blue copper?


Hen with Red leg band... Is she black or really Dark Blue?


This chick is sure looking blue to me!

-Keara

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote:

I have to say - combs and ear lobes are such a small percentage of the points. At shows, the bulk of points comes from type which is why so many of the breeders I've been consulting have been telling me not to fuss about combs or even leg feathers in the beginning. I have to build the foundation first - TYPE!

 

[BarnGoddess01]

It has been suggested that I let everyone figure this out for themselves, So will go back underground in the deep dark hole.

Oh, for heaven's sake, Don!!! You have a thicker skin than that. LOTS of us disagree with you regularly but we LOVE you anyway. We need a tough guy like you giving us a strong EXPERIENCED opinion. We don't have to like it. We don't have to take it. We might even argue. But that doesn't mean we don't want to hear it.

 

[pinkchick]

The SOP says "positive enamel white" is a DQ.

Just for definition purposes for those who do not have access to the book.

"Positive Enamel White" From the APA SOP
Refers to permanent white in face or ear-lobes where red is required, a disqualification in some breeds. The term is not intended to include paleness of ear-lobes due to poor condition, nor any slight white appearance which lacks the satin-like characteristic of the ear-lobe of Rose Comb Bantams.



"Enamel White" From the APA SOP
The satin-like white surface color found in the ear-lobes of the Rose Comb Black Bantams and Mediterranean Breeds.



Also.....I cannot find anywhere in the SOP that it states that there has to be a certain percentage of white.

No matter that I can't find it .......it is a DQ.

So is a lopped single comb.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Well Here is my take... I spent big bucks to go to the show...
I was on the road 6 hours each way and stayed in the hotel for two nights.

I sure didn't travel that distance to see a cock with a floppy comb (DQ) or a cock with white ear lobes( DQ) place among the top three.
I think it sends to wrong message to people who are looking for examples of really fine birds to place birds with DQ's.

This was a BIG show... NOT a county fair.

Seriously, if the APA wants to sell books, then folks need to be held accountable to the standard. Otherwise what's the point?

HOW about this.... Folks are going to brag about winning. Yet, they are unaware that the bird has some serious issues (DQs) because they weren't pointed out.

NOW BEFORE I get myself in BIG trouble.... I better go crawl in the hole that Culler was talking about LOL...

You know, math, I TOTALLY appreciate what you are saying (I drove 8 hours each way to go to Crossroads) BUT I also find it fascinating that what we, the peanut gallery, may judge as DQs - the professional APA judges don't necessarily DQ. Apparently, some things are relative. The other thing I must say about my experience with Marans at the big shows - they were disappointing. There were a LOAD of problems. A big load. And I'm not even that experienced. But, they are a brand new breed with just a handful of dedicated breeders literally throwing everything they've got into the showring in order to get us into the book. Rather than being disappointed, I take it as a learning experience. And I'm grateful when the judge doesn't DQ every bird for a questionable fault. I'm even more grateful when the judge or a member of the club takes time after judging to walk around with us and tell us what he sees - even on the less than perfect winning birds.

under the chair I go again ....

 

[BarnGoddess01]

My goodness, folks. I think we need to be thankful rather than critical of the judges that aren't DQing our birds since we DO want them in the book. It is up to us as breeders to raise the standard, not the judges.

(I know I'm gonna get hit for we shouldn't be rewarding less than perfect birds but the fact is there is no perfect bird - probably never will be - and we'll NEVER get even close if we keep chasing everyone out!)

 

[gilavina]

Just for definition purposes for those who do not have access to the book.

"Positive Enamel White" From the APA SOP
Refers to permanent white in face or ear-lobes where red is required, a disqualification in some breeds. The term is not intended to include paleness of ear-lobes due to poor condition, nor any slight white appearance which lacks the satin-like characteristic of the ear-lobe of Rose Comb Bantams.



"Enamel White" From the APA SOP
The satin-like white surface color found in the ear-lobes of the Rose Comb Black Bantams and Mediterranean Breeds.



Also.....I cannot find anywhere in the SOP that it states that there has to be a certain percentage of white.

No matter that I can't find it .......it is a DQ.

So is a lopped single comb.

gotta agree with ya Kim. Any bird here (don't raise any requiring white earlobes) that shows any signs at all, get culled or sold as layers. I don't really care how nice they look otherwise to be honest.

 

[culler]

I have to say - combs and ear lobes are such a small percentage of the points. At shows, the bulk of points comes from type which is why so many of the breeders I've been consulting have been telling me not to fuss about combs or even leg feathers in the beginning. I have to build the foundation first - TYPE!

Barb, I hope you do not fall for that old cliche, You can build the foundation first but if it is loaded down with DQ's what good is it in the end. I never breed a chicken of any breed that has a DQ there is just no reason for it. To be able to breed some good fowl you have to be able to cull very heavy from the start.

What about all the Carnation Combs showing up on the Marans with the good type, They are still culls any way you look at it. I have always bred my fowl with the idea of culling the DQ birds and getting better stock to work with. Better to have one good pair to work with instead of several pair of culls.

I hate to say it but you are being given some very bad info on breeding any kind of Poultry and this irritates me to no end.

 

[culler]

My goodness, folks. I think we need to be thankful rather than critical of the judges that aren't DQing our birds since we DO want them in the book. It is up to us as breeders to raise the standard, not the judges.

(I know I'm gonna get hit for we shouldn't be rewarding less than perfect birds but the fact is there is no perfect bird - probably never will be - and we'll NEVER get even close if we keep chasing everyone out!)

Barb, the SOP is there for a reason and the Judge has no right to interpret anyway he would like. The Judge is required to have a copy of the SOP on hand when judging. With the Marans he or she should have a copy of the Standard. When people she a Marans in a show winning or placing with a DQ it gives the wrong impression. We have a standard so should be to it.