Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Debbi]

That's how dad met mom.  He was their "ice man".  And that's why I look like I do. LOL

Just popping in to ask my question again because their are so many posts on this thread I lose track:  (newbie I be)

Q:   What are the best qualities of a BCM rooster?    (I have one and he is now 6 mos.  Looks a bit 'caricature-like', cartoonish in appearance.  He is really "upright."  Is this awkward stage adolescence or just his own appearance?

I have tried and tried to get a good pic from him. He just won't be still long enough.  Will keep working at it.  Or should I wait till he' a bit older?

thank-you for any feedback.


Oh,one more question:  the chicken-farmer worker at the co-op today told me that there is one very good hatchery for ordering special breed birds.... and that they are radical in keeping the undesirable qualities 'absent '.  It's called  "Sandhill Preservation Center" , specializing in rarer birds. 

Q:  Any opinions?

Good qualities to start with are the type and frame of the bird. Yours is young at 6 months, they mature at about 2 years of age! If he looks scrawney now, as in narrowed bodied, that probably won't change much. You need good depth and breadth of the body to start. Does he have feathered shanks and outer toes? Does he have color in his hackles and saddles, and if so what color is it? How is his tail set? Is it the 40-60% as per the standard, or does it stick straight up or lay over his back? Best thing to do is get some pics of him. Pull up a chair in the pen, let them all calm down, toss out some treats, and then take some candid shots. Take full body profiles, frontal views, close ups of head and comb, etc. Don't personally have any knowledge good or bad with Sandhill, maybe someone else can chime in there.

 

[DMRippy]

This is all I know, they placed an order MONTHS ago, I think it was due the first of July..... Becky, what say you????

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/440277/the-middle-tennessee-thread/6060#post_9393715

 

[junkinstuff]

Sandhill is a great place. They are the best place to buy heritage breeds. Unless you have a local breeder or can afford places Like Hall Family Poultry or . They are not your typical hatchery. I would buy Marans from a breeder but if I was looking for Buff Orps or Rhode Island Reds or the older accepted breeds I would order from them in a heartbeat. They really have some nice birds. It's just a pain in the you know what to order from them. I like my heritage poultry but I also love the convienence of paypal lol. I have not mailed a check in so long except to them.........

 

[ChickChickChicky]

74 degrees and it looks like I got 1/2" of rain overnight.... BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

 

[Headgear]

Quote:

Please send it this way. Our dust is starting to get dry! It's going to be near 100 today. Poor chickies. It was a 100 for like four or five days in a row a couple of weeks ago and we were lucky to have not lost any. I've got my fingers crossed and cool, fresh water out.

 

[ChickenExtreme]

Just wondering if this guys comb gonna be any better? He's a little over 4 months

 

[Missa Chickabee]

Sandhill is a great place. They are the best place to buy heritage breeds. Unless you have a local breeder or can afford places Like Hall Family Poultry or . They are not your typical hatchery. I would buy Marans from a breeder but if I was looking for Buff Orps or Rhode Island Reds or the older accepted breeds I would order from them in a heartbeat. They really have some nice birds. It's just a pain in the you know what to order from them. I like my heritage poultry but I also love the convienence of paypal lol. I have not mailed a check in so long except to them.........

Good qualities to start with are the type and frame of the bird. Yours is young at 6 months, they mature at about 2 years of age! If he looks scrawney now, as in narrowed bodied, that probably won't change much. You need good depth and breadth of the body to start. Does he have feathered shanks and outer toes? Does he have color in his hackles and saddles, and if so what color is it? How is his tail set? Is it the 40-60% as per the standard, or does it stick straight up or lay over his back? Best thing to do is get some pics of him. Pull up a chair in the pen, let them all calm down, toss out some treats, and then take some candid shots. Take full body profiles, frontal views, close ups of head and comb, etc. Don't personally have any knowledge good or bad with Sandhill, maybe someone else can chime in there.

Thank-you both for your quick replies. I will take my mid-morning break out there if I can find some shade. Boaz's tail is too straight up I think....and lots of feathers have been pulled by the girls. I'll be back.

 

[Missa Chickabee]

Good qualities to start with are the type and frame of the bird. Yours is young at 6 months, they mature at about 2 years of age! If he looks scrawney now, as in narrowed bodied, that probably won't change much. You need good depth and breadth of the body to start. Does he have feathered shanks and outer toes? Does he have color in his hackles and saddles, and if so what color is it? How is his tail set? Is it the 40-60% as per the standard, or does it stick straight up or lay over his back? Best thing to do is get some pics of him. Pull up a chair in the pen, let them all calm down, toss out some treats, and then take some candid shots. Take full body profiles, frontal views, close ups of head and comb, etc. Don't personally have any knowledge good or bad with Sandhill, maybe someone else can chime in there.

He may be too narrow in the body. He has lots of feathers on shanks and toes. I think his color is pretty good from what I've gleaned. Like I said, his tail is an issue I think.
Will work on the pics.

 

[laughingclown]

The fact that you care so much about getting it right, makes me think you should not give up! Do you love the breed? Is this a hobbie that can give you satisfaction? Are you the next Wade Jeane or Bev Davis!? Start from the basics, fill your freezer with DQ and make this your breed~!...

I am trying for pepp talk.... how did I do?
Patricia

Thanks for the words of encourgement. Its a hobby right now but I would like to eventually make a little money doing it as Im facing an early retirement. Just would like to get a little extra money coming in. I like the Marans but I hate having to get rid of birds for this or that. Im definitely not to the point to be able to butcher them. I hunt but I cant bring myself to kill them because they are not show quality. A mean Roo I could do though. My Son doesnt understand why I get rid of them. Its just hard to keep using money on them. If I had a good established flock I could hatch eggs from it wouldnt be that bad, but I by these birds here or eggs there. Adds up. So does anyone know if the leakage will go away out of the Blues plumage? Maybe when I get some decent birds I will give a couple of doz eggs to someone knowledgeable on here to get some good feedback on how they look.

 

[ChickenExtreme]

Just wondering if this guys comb gonna be any better? He's a little over 4 months

He hasn't even went through a molt yet, I think he's starting to though, lol