Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[heath_elisha]

I was out taking more pictures today of all the little ones growing up.... can not believe how big they all are! Thought I would share with you all... and yes I know they aren't perfect...

The Littles (3 weeks old).... still appears to be one blue cockerel, one blue pullet and one black pullet. I am afraid that the cockerel's (Cowboy) comb leans already. When can you really determine how the comb will look?? Should it be a concern now?













Eeeek! I just noticed the copper on the black "pullets" neck!!!! Nooooooo! Is this one a roo?? That would sooooo explain the sassy attitude!




24 week old splash



My darker splash Pearl (with the not so impressive comb)



Smokey - blue copper cockerel who may be leaving soon.... (need to convince the hubby lol)




Gracie - blue copper and the boss of the bunch. This chunky one has a t t i t u d e lol Had to put her in her place recently..... no pecking this mother hen!



butt shot of one of the unnamed street sweepers...



One of the twin street sweepers.... 14 weeks old








Gracie again....










"The black one" She is very black in the face and an amazing green sheen to her





Smokey again.... still see a sprig?

 

[bigshawn]

Nice and thank you for showing..................

 

[Hens and Roos]

Thank you 'STOOPID' (oooooohhhh that feels horrible calling you that - LOL) and SIMZ. I'll retract to 'reading' for a few months before I have something of value to add to these amazing threads. Don't want to disturb the flow of the thread by asking silly questions

you could check out Brian Reeder's web site, he goes over some basic information that you might fine helpful
http://brianreederbreeder.blogspot.com

just jump in and ask questions that's how we all learn and get better

no such thing as a silly questions

 

[ChickenExtreme]

I was out taking more pictures today of all the little ones growing up.... can not believe how big they all are! Thought I would share with you all... and yes I know they aren't perfect...

The Littles (3 weeks old).... still appears to be one blue cockerel, one blue pullet and one black pullet. I am afraid that the cockerel's (Cowboy) comb leans already. When can you really determine how the comb will look?? Should it be a concern now?













Eeeek! I just noticed the copper on the black "pullets" neck!!!! Nooooooo! Is this one a roo?? That would sooooo explain the sassy attitude!




24 week old splash



My darker splash Pearl (with the not so impressive comb)



Smokey - blue copper cockerel who may be leaving soon.... (need to convince the hubby lol)




Gracie - blue copper and the boss of the bunch. This chunky one has a t t i t u d e lol Had to put her in her place recently..... no pecking this mother hen!



butt shot of one of the unnamed street sweepers...



One of the twin street sweepers.... 14 weeks old








Gracie again....










"The black one" She is very black in the face and an amazing green sheen to her





Smokey again.... still see a sprig?

 

[DMRippy]

Quote: Yeah... fluorescent lights will turn anything yellow. I will keep an eye out too.
Well it seems at 2 weeks old, 2 still have yellow legs

I am afraid to even keep the one that has white feet... it is a carrier

I just don't want to deal with yellow legs! Tell me it is too early to know if they are yellow

I know it's not true.... just tell me it is to early

and the one with white feet does not have feathered legs

 

[gilavina]

Well it seems at 2 weeks old, 2 still have yellow legs

I am afraid to even keep the one that has white feet... it is a carrier

I just don't want to deal with yellow legs! Tell me it is too early to know if they are yellow

I know it's not true.... just tell me it is to early

and the one with white feet does not have feathered legs

I wouldn't panic too much yet lady. I had a group of cuckoos that took a long time to fade to white. I think they were about 4 weeks when it was totally gone, plus certain feeds affect them when they are young. If you have the room to watch them for another week or two, then I would. Another thing I notice on the cuckoos I had like this, is that when they were under lights, their leg color changed slower than when they were brooded and taken outside everyday with their mamas.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote: Yeah I can grow them out no problem. They are under a reg light for some heat (going in a few days) and a Flo. light during the day. I don't have a grow out pen outside for little guys so they stay inside. I will probably keep them till they are near POL anyway. Chick sales SUCK right now. Even laying hens are not selling.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote:
I've got about a dozen really good books on poultry breeding at this point - including Brian Reeder's. Read most of them more that once. Maybe a tenth of it is starting to sink in and make some sense. And I still ask the silliest questions on the thread!?!!?

Knock yourself out - I wouldn't mind some competition in the silly question department!

 

[SIMZ]

I just noticed that "Raising Chickens" has a chapter on maintaining breeders and goes into a lot of the basics. I've always skipped over that chapter and had forgotten it was there. I'll start there!

 

[pinkchick]

Elisha~
I wouldn't worry too much about the little cockerels comb at this age. As he grows more you will see better what it is going to do. I have had chicks with combs like that and they eventually straighten up with age. Keep posting updated photos of it and as he grows if we all see something we can help you.
I see 2 pullets and the one cockerel. I have had pullets that have a spot of copper on them near the head or the hackle at this young of age. Copper on the body (wing area and saddles) is signs of a cockerel. Start watching for this in the weeks to come.
The older pullet you photo'd with the dark face.....don't worry about her at this point yet either she is still young, her face will/should lighten as she matures and nears point of lay. I have had a few girlies with dark faces like hers and they have always turned red.
Oh BTW.....I love Gracie!