Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[stoopid]

See post #9https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/385769/marans-proposed-standards-for-reference-purposes
And yes, this is ANOTHER Marans thread that everyone needs to read.
Thanks, Math Ace!

 

[DMRippy]

Only if *I* win

haha

NO DQs - they ALL have feathered legs (or will have after they finish feathering out from their juvie molts!)

2 guys do have lighter legs, but not pink (or yellow)

p.s. what are you seeing that makes you think he looks like a RIR?
The only breeds I have here are BCM (and a couple blue) and cochin bantams!

His shape is like a RIR long and flat. I wish I could find a pic to show you, they are supposed to look like a BRICK. I don't think they have a high tail, but they have a long back.

I have never seen mine molt their leg feathers, I know they do just not all at one time. That last roo looks BARE mine don't do that.

 

[Cadeau]

Oh...hmm....well - I was breeding for more size, so brick-like might be an improvement...??
Advice - anyone??


I think his tail will come up as he grows up?
Most of my younger ones keep their tail down when they're in the bachelor pad with the older boys! (smart!)


As for the leg feathers - mine definitely do molt nearly all their shank feathering all at once!

I know b/c i have freaked out a couple times and marked them for freezer camp
Then, by processing time, the shank feathers were back and I had to check my book to see why they were being culled!

Happy surprise!!

That said - if they DON'T come back, then he's definitely not roo material! no worries there!

 

[Laingcroft]

Black Copper Male


Comb, Face, Wattles, & Ear-Lobes: Bright red.
Beak: Horn, black shading permitted.
Eyes: Reddish bay.
Head: Lustrous deep copper, neither yellow nor mahogany.
Neck— Hackle : Lustrous deep copper, neither yellow nor mahogany. Some feathers, especially in the lower hackle, may include a narrow dark stripe through the middle of each feather, terminating in a point near its lower extremity.
Front of neck : Black with markings of deep copper.
Back: Lustrous deep copper.
Saddle : Same as hackle.
Tail— Main Tail :Black with slight luster.
Sickles and Coverts : Lustrous black.
Wings—Shoulders : Black.
Fronts : Black.
Bows : Deep russet red.
Coverts : Lustrous black.
Primaries : Black.
Secondaries : Black, exposed portion forming black wing bay.
Breast: Solid black or with a few copper spots. Not laced.
Body & Stern: Black.
Legs & Toes— Lower Thighs : Black.
Shanks and Toes : Shanks and toes light to mid-slate, showing pink between the scales. Bottoms of feet pinkish white.
Shank and Toe Feathers : Black.

Thanks... Not sure if you had additional comments or were just providing the standard for review.

I had already read the french standard online and know that neither of these birds is perfect, but I have to work with what I have. Trying to get objective opinions from those who have been working with the breed longer and have seen lots more birds than I have.

I'm leaning toward Red Boy for his body type. The picture colors aren't quite as they are in person...don't know if it's a camera or PC issue. Red Boy looks almost mahogany to me - not the bright color of a chestnut horse that I'm interpreting as "copper"

And yes, I'm going through this thread too, but 4000+ pages is a lot to get through

 

[ChickenExtreme]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/517113/marans-sop-discussion-thread/270#post_8028843

Thank You

No worries here now, lol

 

[math ace]

See post #9https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/385769/marans-proposed-standards-for-reference-purposes
And yes, this is ANOTHER Marans thread that everyone needs to read.
Thanks, Math Ace!

How handy was that ? ? ? Just BAMM... Post #9 and you have pics of the infamous Side Sprig...

 

[heath_elisha]

How handy was that ? ? ? Just BAMM... Post #9 and you have pics of the infamous Side Sprig...

I'd like a quick reference like that to also have pictures of what the birds are supposed to look like! Visual aids like that are great....

 

[math ace]

Went out and caught the two boys...and they were NOT happy....for pictures. The more I look at them, the more I think it will be Red Boy as the breeding stock. He is bigger, blockier and smoother in his colored bits, except for the breast. Am I correct in believing it will be easier to adjust color over type? Here are the pictures for critique --- don't worry, you won't hurt my feelings, but I do have to choose one of them since these are the only two I have to start with.

We'll start with the head. Here is Red Boy's evil glare and the I'm not going to cooperate pose. Note the heavy copper spotting in his breast feathers.


Sunset Boy's head --- he's much more cooperative. Clean black breast, not liking the uneveness of his hackle coloration so much.



Top/Rear view. Sorry, this is the best I could do with unhappy roos without an assistant to help take the pictures.

Red Boy is first. Tried to get a better shot in a pen too.





Sunset boy, again, more cooperative.

Roos are very important. If the two you have aren't keepers, then don't use them. You will spend all the time and money to grow the chicks up just to find out that they have the parents negative traits. It will frustrate you to no end.... I am not saying the bird has to be perfect to use, but if it is far enough away from the standard, then you are better off trying to locate better stock.

With being said .... let's look at these two candidates...

#1... My big concern with #1 is the color on his chest. I have never personally used a roo with color like this on his chest. Others have and I will let them report their personally success or failure with chest color like this.

#2... This boy has many red flags to me. When I look down at him, his back narrows at lot towards the tail. This is indicative of a closed / pinch tail and narrow body. Color - his hackles are too light. His color is not balanced.... Nice rich copper on the wings and a straw / yellow color on the hackles. He should be rich copper throughout. It could just be the picture, but this roo's head looks small.

How old are these boys?
Also, these are very rough off the cuff comments. The better the pictures the better the feed back. So, when you get a chance try to get some more photos where we can see the boys in their natural standing positions.

 

[snowbird]

Nope - no sprigs here!
No DQs get to the "bachelor pad" grow out!

Cadeau, The #3 male has a lot going in the right direction. I see someone saying they are too long in the back, I didn't know the SOP had been changed. Will be back later on today.

 

[Cadeau]

Thanks, Don!
Can't wait to hear what you're seeing!