Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[mstricer]

Thank you this hatch will go in with the Olive Eggers and I will look for a new rooster.

 

[gilavina]

Yes, you should always sell the junk before anyone can see what is wrong.

am I detecting some humor here Don?

 

[gilavina]

Hey Don, did you ever answer my question about the pad color you thought for the birchen Marans would be the most advantageous? I also was wondering on the darker face you see in most breeds that have the birchen variety, do you think they will have that reflecting in the standard for them?

 

[snowbird]

Hey Don, did you ever answer my question about the pad color you thought for the birchen Marans would be the most advantageous? I also was wondering on the darker face you see in most breeds that have the birchen variety, do you think they will have that reflecting in the standard for them?

Vicki, Good question on the Mulberry face, Sure would look good .The pad of the feet would be most likely light like in whitish to light grey.

Easiest way would be to have the red face. Only a hand full of Modern breeders with the Mulberry face.

Suggestion for you since you are working on the Birchens , why not volunteer to help work with a committe to make sure it is correct, It is very hard to change the SOp once it is approved.

The shank and feet color should take into consideration what would help make the Birchen Marans a good balanced variety. They could also require a darker leg color also. This is where some actual breeders like yourself should be involved in the Standard for them.

 

[gilavina]

Vicki, Good question on the Mulberry face, Sure would look good .The pad of the feet would be most likely light like in whitish to light grey.

Easiest way would be to have the red face. Only a hand full of Modern breeders with the Mulberry face.

Suggestion for you since you are working on the Birchens , why not volunteer to help work with a committe to make sure it is correct, It is very hard to change the SOp once it is approved.

The shank and feet color should take into consideration what would help make the Birchen Marans a good balanced variety. They could also require a darker leg color also. This is where some actual breeders like yourself should be involved in the Standard for them.

I've been really wondering about what you are suggesting, the working with the committee and such. I have two very different lines of Birchens, one has the darker legs and the more mulberry face, which i prefer from my time working with other breeds in the birchen variety. The other has the very red face, but has overall characteristics I'm wanting to hold onto, like the expression of birchen, their size, the nice leg feathering and overall balance. So, this is where I've been struggling just in my mind about the direction for next spring. I already have the line up in my mind for next spring of who I will breed to who for test mating and have been planning for the retention of the mulberry face if possible, but wasn't sure if that would be their priority with the standards committee and also, if going that direction would affect the darkness of the leg color. Overall, I feel like I'm in a really good place as they have improved a ton here since I started working with them, and have the makings to go either direction, but just want to be sure about all the facts I'm considering as I move forward.

 

[picanins]

I'm new to BYC and raising chickens. I got my first girls in August at about 6-8 weeks. I now have 13 (11 hens and 2 roos). The latest additions, 2 BCM's, one hen and one roo. I am learning as I go but already feel like my friends whisper behind my back, "Crazy Chicken Lady"!

Welcome to BYC and the Marans Thread!!!!! (I'd put up fun 'wavy hands' but I'm on my iPad so I only have smiley faces to choose from ) - sounds like chicken math is working nicely in your household

 

[pinkchick]

I've been really wondering about what you are suggesting, the working with the committee and such. I have two very different lines of Birchens, one has the darker legs and the more mulberry face, which i prefer from my time working with other breeds in the birchen variety. The other has the very red face, but has overall characteristics I'm wanting to hold onto, like the expression of birchen, their size, the nice leg feathering and overall balance. So, this is where I've been struggling just in my mind about the direction for next spring. I already have the line up in my mind for next spring of who I will breed to who for test mating and have been planning for the retention of the mulberry face if possible, but wasn't sure if that would be their priority with the standards committee and also, if going that direction would affect the darkness of the leg color. Overall, I feel like I'm in a really good place as they have improved a ton here since I started working with them, and have the makings to go either direction, but just want to be sure about all the facts I'm considering as I move forward.

Hi! I'm lost.......Mulberry face on the Birchens? Can you explain the pros to having the Mulberry face? Thanks!

By the way....my little Birchens are really coloring up......the girls have some very very very light leakage in the hackle. So light that I have to really look hard to see that it is there. Looks like dingy silver, but the boys are definitely clean crisp silver and they are starting to color in in the wing bow and the saddle area and it seems as though it is coming in very fast. Will get updated photos of them for you this week if we manage to get a couple days off.

 

[pinkchick]

Welcome to all the folks joining the Marans thread!

 

[gilavina]

Hi! I'm lost.......Mulberry face on the Birchens? Can you explain the pros to having the Mulberry face? Thanks!
By the way....my little Birchens are really coloring up......the girls have some very very very light leakage in the hackle. So light that I have to really look hard to see that it is there. Looks like dingy silver, but the boys are definitely clean crisp silver and they are starting to color in in the wing bow and the saddle area and it seems as though it is coming in very fast. Will get updated photos of them for you this week if we manage to get a couple days off.

Hey Kim!

For me the Mulberry face is an expression of good attributes within the genetics of a birchen. The best birchens I've ever seen, no matter the breed, have been stellar in color. Hopefully Don will be able to offer more technical info about it. I do know that with just my experience here, the ones with the more mulberry face tend to have more consistent amount of birchen color.

I will look forward to seeing your birds! I'm busy with show prep, but need to desperately decide on my birds for the show and to get them washed this next weekend. Its gonna be hectic, but hope to get it all done without too many headaches!

 

[snowbird]

Hey Kim!

For me the Mulberry face is an expression of good attributes within the genetics of a birchen. The best birchens I've ever seen, no matter the breed, have been stellar in color. Hopefully Don will be able to offer more technical info about it. I do know that with just my experience here, the ones with the more mulberry face tend to have more consistent amount of birchen color.

I will look forward to seeing your birds! I'm busy with show prep, but need to desperately decide on my birds for the show and to get them washed this next weekend. Its gonna be hectic, but hope to get it all done without too many headaches!

Vicki, As you know I was a long time breeder of Modern Game large and small. On your Birchen do you see any difference in the lacing on the chest between the Mulberry face and the red Face. If you would like I could PM Walt and just see what would be acceptable with the APA. I know for a fact they are trying to close up some of the variations in the different breeds. This could be good and bad. Let me know.