Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[geebs]

So there is such thing as too small of a bantam??? (never had that one happen)...

I know bantam is a Dwarfing gene... maybe it doesn't work the same... Apples and Oranges for breakfast...thanks Don...Gotta go...

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
I do not believe bantam is a Dwarfing Gene

 

[haTHOR]

don, i'm no chicken expert BUT in grad school for anthropology and sociology, i learned that in humans, there is a normal bell curve distribution in the expected height of a child, with the most common frequency determined by the average of the mother's and father's heights. so i don't know of any reason why it would be different with any other species. in other words, i expect you are right on.

 

[Wynette]

Don, try as I might, I am still not understanding what you mean by a pinched tail. I have even consulted some of my long-time breeder friends...

But from your most recent post, I THINK what you are saying is that the tail, when viewed from the side, should be well "fanned out" and not all squished together from top to bottom? Am I on the right track?

 

[geebs]

Then over time why are we sooooo much bigger Hathor??? (one argument) and how does this explain the Tall kids from short parents or are these the exception to the rule??

Complex genes must play a role... In breeding horses commonly a horse will be either the size of Dam or the Size of the sire...

I don't understand how this is relating in Chickens....Really.. Is there anyone out there with a definitive take on it... Blackdotte perhaps???

Disclaimer: The intent of the author (me) is to try and understand... not to contradict or defame anyone...

Just to recap: So my understanding Don is that the female has a greater influence in size for standard hens... Is this true of bantam/bantam.... and does that rule change with the Dwarfing gene... Which I understand that the rule is the opposite for that???? Please advise.

 

[haTHOR]

geebs, we are bigger over time due to better sanitation, better diet, more protein, less illness, etc. etc. you can take folks who come here form a war torn country and their kids are automatically bigger within two generations--stress in the environment even plays a huge role! when talking heredity with humans so many factors come into play, but the law of averages still holds, if what i was taught is correct about human populations when applied to chickens! absolutely, no argument here, just adding in the little bit i was taught and you guys can take from it what applies or not, as you see fit.

 

[math ace]

HaThor said there was a BELL CURVE. So, MOST of the children will be withing a certain RANGE that is an average of the parents heights. HOWEVER, MOST is NOT ALL. So, there will still be some throw backs . . . . Two tall parents should produce a tall child, but there are no absolutes with genetics and OCCASIONALLY you will see the two tall parents produce a shorty!

Why is the population growing taller as a whole is another can of worms . . .For example, there are environmental issues that have changed and people weigh more than they did before.

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
In the Large fowl and the Bantam the female will have more influence on the size even though both determine the size. I do not think the bantams have a Dwarfing Gene.

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
Wynette, Stand behind the female Marans and look straight at the hen and the one with the pinched tail will have the two rows of feathers almost side by side without a space between.

I brought this up on Bev Davis forum and no one seemed to want to talk about it then, but sooner or later it will have to be addressed.

I believe by picking the wide back female and looking for a male that has a tail that is a little open it will correct this major fault. The Marans are not the only breed that has a problem with pinched tail.

Walt, Care to respond to the pinch tail problem.

 

[Wynette]

I now understand exactly. Thanks, Don! I don't think I have any with pinched tail, but guess what I'll be lookin' at tonight? Yup! Hens' behinds!