Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote:
Since both of you seem to be new to Marans, I will point out Marans is always spelled with an s on the end, after the town in France.

 

[laughingclown]

Some just take longer than others to get the copper in, and some never get it. Here with my guys and gals, if the copper isn't in by around 7 months, they aren't getting any. Just keep in mind, even though they may not show the copper, genetically, they are still coppers and not solid blacks or blues.

Ok. So genetically they are Coppers. If they dont end up throwing Copper hackles this means these particular bird are over melanized right? I shouldnt breed them if they dont have the copper? Or will the chicks they produce still have the ability to throw copper? I know guys, it early in the AM. Drink your coffee and lay it on me! This genetic stuff gives me a head ache!

 

[laughingclown]

Since both of you seem to be new to Marans, I will point out Marans is always spelled with an s on the end, after the town in France.

Yes, makes sures yous puts thes ssss ons thes ends ofs thes Marans!

 

[Arielle]

Quote:
Since both of you seem to be new to Marans, I will point out Marans is always spelled with an s on the end, after the town in France.

Which is why I always say it in my head with the /z/ on the end! Of course it can really get confusing when I knew a Dr Maren before I had heard of the chicken, marans. LOL

 

[aceschix]

Quote: Anyone?

 

[pinkchick]

Laughingclown~

You can still breed the birds that are coppers that do not show any copper, they may or may not produce offspring that show copper.
I am having a difficult time getting copper back into the necks of my females as I am working with overly melanized birds in the first place, so finding the right balance between rooster and pullets is a challenge, but one I am still up for.
I can get good copper on the males, but for the life of me..... not on the girls. Don't get me wrong, I get girls that have copper, but they only get a few hackle feathers that are copper and never finish coloring up. The rest of the girls all seem to be just plain dark.
That said, I have seen some awesome colored birds come from 2 totally over melanized birds so the it really is all in the genetic luck of the draw.

I will say this.........I have found the best hackle color on the lighter blue colored girls......have not one clue as to why. Now......if only I could get back to a light blue instead of such dark blue birds.

 

[pinkchick]

Ace~ Yes, he has a thumbprint along with his twists.

 

[gilavina]

Anyone?

to me when I look at it, I see a twist more than a thumbprint, but suppose it could be a combo. Hard to tell with a shot only from the front.

 

[gilavina]

Laughingclown~

You can still breed the birds that are coppers that do not show any copper, they may or may not produce offspring that show copper.
I am having a difficult time getting copper back into the necks of my females as I am working with overly melanized birds in the first place, so finding the right balance between rooster and pullets is a challenge, but one I am still up for.
I can get good copper on the males, but for the life of me..... not on the girls. Don't get me wrong, I get girls that have copper, but they only get a few hackle feathers that are copper and never finish coloring up. The rest of the girls all seem to be just plain dark.
That said, I have seen some awesome colored birds come from 2 totally over melanized birds so the it really is all in the genetic luck of the draw.

I will say this.........I have found the best hackle color on the lighter blue colored girls......have not one clue as to why. Now......if only I could get back to a light blue instead of such dark blue birds.

hey Kim, do you have a good black copper boy? If you take those lighter blue girls and cross them onto him for a generation, you will darken up the blue a bit. If it is a bit too dark on those out of that cross, then cross them onto a splash male if you have one. That will back off some of the depth of the blue color, but shouldn't take away the hackle color if the girls are really light blue to begin with.

 

[gilavina]

Ace~ Yes, he has a thumbprint along with his twists.

we must have been writing at the same time! haha