Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[desertmarcy]

Here is BCM cockerel #17. This one is lower on the pecking order and has no tail to evaluate. He is younger than the others. I am not keen on his two-toned hackle feathers, and I think he needs to color up overall more, so I could give him some time. He also has just a few stray brownish feathers on his breast, not bad, but I'd rather see none. Keep, cull, or watch?

 

[desertmarcy]

Here is BCM cockerel #21. I like this one, too, but I sure wish I could see his tail. I don't see anything in particular wrong with him, but others may. Please point them out.










Here he is the one front right:

 

[desertmarcy]

Here is BCM cockerel #33. This one looks like he has some maturing to do. As he looks now, I don't like him, particularly his comb, and he needs to color up. How much time should I give this guy?






Here he is the one facing us, I was trying to get a breast shot.

 

[desertmarcy]

And lastly, here is BCM cockerel #37. This is the one Don liked the best, I believe. His color is a little lighter than I personally like, but other than that, he looks good to me. He does have a bit of wrinkling/thumbprint? on the right side of his comb. Thank you all for your patience and time! I never thought it would be so hard to get just a couple good ones. I have found taking pics a very valuable tool to evaluate them. I see things that I don't see when I am out in the pen with the birds moving around.

 

[laughingclown]

I see most of those roos have feathers on the middle toes. what is the purple discoloration on the comb? I posted a question a bit ago on this exact thing a while back. My rooster has it.

 

[desertmarcy]

I see most of those roos have feathers on the middle toes. what is the purple discoloration on the comb? I posted a question a bit ago on this exact thing a while back. My rooster has it.

Yes, middle toe feathers. I decided that was the least of my worries at this time since it is not a disqualification. I have a lot of other stuff to work on, so that is down the list. At least I don't have problems with clean legs/shanks--I've not had one chick clean-legged. I saw your post about the discoloration and wonder the same thing. Can't answer that question.

 

[DMRippy]

Are cuckoo marans a broody breed?

They are at my place.... one right after the other......

 

[snowbird]

The off color comb is just something that happens to the Marans at times during the year. I suggest it might be stress related but have no evidence. It is not a fault as far as I know.

 

[laughingclown]

So I was looking at my Blues today. 3.5 months old and the pullets are getting black specks a small strip splotches on them. That cannot be good. Every one of them. They are getting simularities of a splash what gives? Does this happen?

 

[Cadeau]

Maybe they're just a really dark splash?