Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Ullie]

congrats on the egg!
Does look like tufts indeed peeking thru on at least the one in the front in the second photo

Thank you. Do you know what breed(ing) that have the tufts (is it the Ameraucanas)?

 

[gilavina]

Thank you. Do you know what breed(ing) that have the tufts (is it the Ameraucanas)?

yes, it is ameraucanas that have tufts and most likely what were crossed with Marans since they are crossed to make olive eggers. Although these will more than likely lay a brown egg, not green.

 

[Ullie]

Thanks 'gilavina', appreciate the reply. Yes I am getting dark brown eggs

And I guess I have quite a bit of reading to do on Marans

 

[gilavina]

Thanks 'gilavina', appreciate the reply. Yes I am getting dark brown eggs

And I guess I have quite a bit of reading to do on Marans

no problem, happy to help

 

[chickenbelle]

I am new to Marans. I have two 11 and a half week olds. I'm thinking at this point that both are pullets. Both are the same size, one just has more tail feathering and has much more copper at the neck. I could be wrong and have a pair. I also seem to be having a hard time getting some weight on them. They are eating well, but not growing as quickly as other breeds I have. Can you have a look for me and tell me your thoughts on coloring, and what I will need to look for in a roo if I'm going to get improved chicks? This first bird is in the first two pictures--much more copper in this one.




The next pictures are of the second bird--shorter tail feathers and less copper. She also has that greenish hue to some of her feathers.







Both have great personalities. Foot feathering is good on both birds. Any thoughts on what I need to find in a roo? I will accept all critiques here...I want to have good birds.

 

[Connie Marie]

Hi All, What do you all think of this guy? I know he has some DQ's: his comb has too many points, his tail is high, and he has a few tufts of feathers between his middle toe BUT he does NOT have white under fluff (which I have refused to use a roo in my program that does)! I am hoping he would help bring some color to my over melanized girls? He has nice slate legs (md.), good shank feathering, a broad chest and in general is HUGE! His comb does not have sprigs and it is straight. Good eye color, and I like his body type. He came from a very dark egg. His hackle feathers are not as bright as they appear in the photos. The final few photos are of my new Cottage Hill babies (just for fun

BTW, Pinkchick, I think this guy was a chick from your flock this past Spring???

 

[desertmarcy]

My GSBR roo was the same way, never mated the hens he was with. I took him out put him in his own pen. THEN I added a pullet and he was right after here. I think it is because I put the roo in the HENS PEN and not the other way around. I could be wrong but that fixed my roo.

Hmmm, well that didn't slow down my New Hampshires. I did the same thing there, just put the cockerel in the pullet pen. Maybe it will just take him a little while to figure it out. I did want to put him in the bigger pen with the pullets because he just never could figure out his nipple waterer and now that he's watching the pullets drink, he is learning to use it.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote: My roo never mounted them, he was in there for at least 3 months if not longer. I have not had that problem before either, I think it was just the roo.....

 

[pinkchick]

BTW, Pinkchick, I think this guy was a chick from your flock this past Spring???

As I suggested to you..... test mate...test mate....test mate. If he does not throw useful offspring....junk him.
How old is he?
I would test mate him with a long backed, open tailed, busty, wide shouldered female. Do you have one? Also, do you have the ability to get a photo of him from the top showing his show shoulder width and back down to the tail. He looks very short in the back.

I hope I don't come off sounding to harsh on him, but I know you would want my honest opinion of him since he came from me. I think he has some useful qualities, but I would test mate him and see what the offspring do before implementing him into any breeding program.

I don't too much care for his upright boxy stance, is this normal for him or was he just freaky because of the photos ...would make me think that he is quite narrow toward the end of the back..is he?

Hoping others will give their opinions of him.

Excited to see your Cottage Hill birds mature!

 

[Connie Marie]

As I suggested to you..... test mate...test mate....test mate. If he does not throw useful offspring....junk him.
How old is he?
I would test mate him with a long backed, open tailed, busty, wide shouldered female. Do you have one? Also, do you have the ability to get a photo of him from the top showing his show shoulder width and back down to the tail. He looks very short in the back.
I hope I don't come off sounding to harsh on him, but I know you would want my honest opinion of him since he came from me. I think he has some useful qualities, but I would test mate him and see what the offspring do before implementing him into any breeding program.
I don't too much care for his upright boxy stance, is this normal for him or was he just freaky because of the photos ...would make me think that he is quite narrow toward the end of the back..is he?
Hoping others will give their opinions of him.
Excited to see your Cottage Hill birds mature!

THANK YOU and yes, I want your honest opinion ! However, I am not so sure he came from you after all..... I will for sure test mate him LOTS. I 4 more cockerels growing out so (3 are Cottage Hill) and I guess time will tell. This guy may be more work than he is worth

...but no white under fluff at this point which is something I have really struggled with so far!