Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Zanna]

Really enjoying the conversations about white feathers, all I can add is that my latest BCM Cock Cull also showed no white anywhere until he was almost 2 years old. Then after a full molt, came two 3/4 white sickle feathers and white in wing tip feathers on each side which could only be seen when the wing was spread. Looking forward to more conversation on this subject.

These eggs are a progression from a young BCM pullet of my breeding. She lays super speckled eggs. The bottom egg is todays, lighter looking as it is covered with bloom. What are the thoughts on the speckled eggs?? Her mom and none of her sisters that are laying so far are laying speckles. The other reason I wanted to post these pics. is to show how different the colour shades of the same eggs look with a different background. Of course, this happens with the pics. of birds we all post as well. Any ideas on the best type of light/background to show true colours?? I would say the true colours of these eggs is inbetween the colour of both pics.

 

[gilavina]

Well I have 3 that are teenagers and were moved into the pre-teen pen today. They have darker legs and more feathering than the birds I have. If one of those ends up being a rooster it would be better to retire the current copper splash rooster to a mixed pen right?

If I understand I should also avoid the copper and breed for solid splash??

I would make the decision about what roo to use based upon their qualities, which will be seen with time as they develop. I personally would not breed with the splash male you have in there now. The nice thing is that you do have young birds growing out, so have opportunity to get a better male down the road. I don't mind color on my splash coppers as I don't find a direct correlation between a splash from copper breeding showing or not showing their color. The one thing I would recommend however, is if they do show copper, to make sure that the color stays in the appropriate area of the bird depending on whether they are a male or female. One big thing to watch for is overcoloring on the breast.

As far as the type on that splash male, I agree with Lisa (MathAce) about his breast not being deep enough, I also don't see a lot of width overall in him just from what I can see. The male in my avatar is a Splash Copper, which I believe to have a well developed breast and body carriage, so you can see by comparison if that helps.

 

[Chefswifey]

OK, I'm competely new to this and am just getting intrigued with line breeding and what-not... I've got 4 chicks that hatched out under a broody hen a couple of days ago... 3 are BCM and 1 is an Olive egger... is there a order of features to look for in a chick... ? I am pretty sure these chicks aren't anywhere close to perfect judging by all the recent critique eye openers floating around... I am curious what the critiques are for these little ones... I'm ok with culling any of them

chick 1

Chick 2:

Chick 3:


Chick 4:

 

[gilavina]

Chick two will be one you want to keep a close eye on as they develop particularly in the area of color development. For me, its the best one out of the 3 BCMs.

 

[Chefswifey]

Chick two will be one you want to keep a close eye on as they develop particularly in the area of color development. For me, its the best one out of the 3 BCMs.

Thank you!!

 

[DMRippy]

I just want to say thank you! This is the Marans thread we LOVE! Full of GOOD info and good people to boot! Even if some are now transplanted Yankees

I learned my chicks are more CORRECT than I though

I need to add toe nails, leg color and foot pad color to my lists

and something else.....

maybe it was white feathers might be in my future.... I don't think that was it LOL.

 

[gilavina]

I just want to say thank you! This is the Marans thread we LOVE! Full of GOOD info and good people to boot! Even if some are now transplanted Yankees

I learned my chicks are more CORRECT than I though

I need to add toe nails, leg color and foot pad color to my lists

and something else.....

maybe it was white feathers might be in my future.... I don't think that was it LOL.

what about just a plain ol' yankee thats not a transplant, like me? I just consider myself a farm girl

 

[DMRippy]

Quote: I like yankees just fine.... like I said my TN family signed up for the North LOL... I have lots of family up north in Delaware so I will not discriminate. We are all one BIG Marans Family here

 

[DMRippy]

Quote: BTW NO ONE that knows me would have ever called me a FARM GIRL..... little did they know ....hummmmmm

 

[gilavina]

I like yankees just fine.... like I said my TN family signed up for the North LOL... I have lots of family up north in Delaware so I will not discriminate. We are all one BIG Marans Family here

super!