Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Arielle]

Calamity--really good photos for evaluation, THanks for reposting. Helped me to see better as well as the critiquers.

 

[pinkchick]

Calamity~
Along with the very helpful advise and critiques that other have given you, may I suggest that you also take along 2 copies of the Black Copper Marans SOP. See that a copy of the SOP is given to the judge so that he or she can familiarize themselves with it. I only say this because Black Coppers are newly accepted to the APA and some judges may not be versed with the SOP pertaining to this particular variety of Marans.

You have come to the right place to ask for critiques on your birds. So so many folks here that love this breed of birds, Vicki, Debbi, Wynette (too many to name now) Snowbird have TONZ of useful critiques and very helpful advise for us all here in the Marans thread. I always take these words to heart and heed them heavily when it is given. I have learned so much from this thread that I could not begin to list it. I have come to rely heavily upon the honesty of folks in this and the constructive critisism that is provided.
BTW: I happen to agree with what Snowbird has to say about your males tail, but will also say to you that I love the color of copper on him though and also agree with Don (Snowbird) that your females have nice tails.

 

[Debbi]

Calamity~

I like that boy, but Don is correct in saying that his coloring won't help the offspring of the females, he is mahogany colored. I too have the Presley/Jeane combo, and the mahogany coloring of the hackles and saddles is a detriment. Having said that, I love the type and size they put into their offspring! And the feathered shanks and toes! As for his tail, that couple of stray sickle feathers should molt out. I don't remember if you said how old he is? My males here, two brothers, are still growing and filling out at almost 2 years old! Both had some wild sickles at a younger age, but now their tails are broad and shorter as they should be. They do pass this on to the offspring, as a few of my pullets came from hens with rather pinched tails. I'm still waiting on one stray chick who is 5.5 weeks old, that has almost nothing for a tail!?? I can tell from her coloring, and who she was in with the most, that this is an Olivia chick, sired by Clyde. Kim, as soon as I figure out what is wrong with my new, dadgummed camera, I will post pics of this chick! At first I would swear pullet, but it is the only one of the three to have wattles coming in, with a very small comb. Can't judge by the tail because it is only, maybe, and inch long?? Never had this happen before! At first, I thought it was rumpless, but it does have the bone, so hopefully more feathers will come in? It came from an Olivia egg, nice and dark ruby, and looking at the face, she/he is very dark as well, as was Olivia. Also has some small patches of mossy on the shoulder area, as did Livy, but they were gone by 10 weeks or so. Will be interesting to see how this one develops, it has shank/toe feathering to die for!!

 

[Debbi]

Calamity~
Along with the very helpful advise and critiques that other have given you, may I suggest that you also take along 2 copies of the Black Copper Marans SOP. See that a copy of the SOP is given to the judge so that he or she can familiarize themselves with it. I only say this because Black Coppers are newly accepted to the APA and some judges may not be versed with the SOP pertaining to this particular variety of Marans.

You have come to the right place to ask for critiques on your birds. So so many folks here that love this breed of birds, Vicki, Debbi, Wynette (too many to name now) Snowbird have TONZ of useful critiques and very helpful advise for us all here in the Marans thread. I always take these words to heart and heed them heavily when it is given. I have learned so much from this thread that I could not begin to list it. I have come to rely heavily upon the honesty of folks in this and the constructive critisism that is provided.
BTW: I happen to agree with what Snowbird has to say about your males tail, but will also say to you that I love the color of copper on him though and also agree with Don (Snowbird) that your females have nice tails.

Aww, that was sweet to include me in that, but I don't know how much I contribute as far as being correct goes? All I can tell anyone is what I have seen here in my own backyard, and hope it helps them to not make the same mistakes that I did!

 

[calamityfarm]

Thanks for all the input everyone! Is there a photo anywhere of 'the ideal' black copper. I have the sop, but for me seeing is everything. How much lighter in color should I be looking for? I'm kind of at a loss as to how to proceed with the males I have. I have two that look like the photo, one with a much smaller comb and a white primary feather, and one with a flopping comb. I was going to cull the white feather one and the floppy comb one, but then I'm left with the two dark, bad tail ones. My goal is to try to help improve the breed. Should I just cull all 4 roosters and keep searching for a better match, or go will the lesser of the evils? What do wiser minds think?

 

[Debbi]

Thanks for all the input everyone! Is there a photo anywhere of 'the ideal' black copper. I have the sop, but for me seeing is everything. How much lighter in color should I be looking for? I'm kind of at a loss as to how to proceed with the males I have. I have two that look like the photo, one with a much smaller comb and a white primary feather, and one with a flopping comb. I was going to cull the white feather one and the floppy comb one, but then I'm left with the two dark, bad tail ones. My goal is to try to help improve the breed. Should I just cull all 4 roosters and keep searching for a better match, or go will the lesser of the evils? What do wiser minds think?

Flopped comb, if more than just leaning, I'd cull. There was just a discussion on this several pages back with Walt Leonard, APA judge and long time and Master? breeder. How old are these boys? That would help with the culling.

 

[Arielle]

Calamity-- I'm with you on pictures and concrete exanples. A few years ago I was reading the written description, sort of SOP, for a particular breed of horse; it was completely fit the breedof horse that I breed. BUT the 2 breeds look nothing alike!!!

Concrete pictures and examples are a must for me. I'm still learning.

 

[Debbi]

Ok, got a good pic of mystery chick, and BYC won't let me upload the pic??

This new format is very frustrating to us dial-up folks!! Looking at this pic, the chick looks very roo-ish to me. Don't know why the camera started working again either? Same batteries, but now it works?? I give up!

 

[gilavina]

Ok, got a good pic of mystery chick, and BYC won't let me upload the pic??

This new format is very frustrating to us dial-up folks!! Looking at this pic, the chick looks very roo-ish to me. Don't know why the camera started working again either? Same batteries, but now it works?? I give up!

could be you are dealing with humidity affecting your camera. If you have a camera case, make a small sachet of dry rice in a piece of nylon rubber banded closed, or another very breathable fabric and keep it in with your camera. It will soak up the humidity and keep temps and etc from interferring with your camera and battery so much. I always store my cameras and cards with rice. Cheap and simple!

I can't load pics onto the new BYC uploader either. I don't have dial up either, so I don't know what to do.

 

[calamityfarm]

Morning all. My Marans are all 4 months old, they will be 5 month on August 7 (I honestly only know that because they hatched on my daughter's birthday).