Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[gilavina]

I asked about eye color not down a while ago, last year, but haven't seen any results yet. Now that I have my own birds who knows what will come about. Junk maybe.

Snowbird, how are you using those barrels in your album? Do your birds ever range?

Another question:
Let me lead with this; I keep Orloffs here, not many, but I do. I was on feeding level with my orloffs and comparing head shapes. I have one female who has a nice wide brow and the others are more narrow-- a result of breeding. The wide is where its at but most folks don't know to even look for it. This comes to Marans because I was looking at pictures of Mr Don's birds and referencing them with some BCM that a woman has had for some time here in Maine. Hers are all melenized or very dark. Hers, and I would say Don's, appear to have thick, very round heads/brows. Two of the ones I have do have good color but their heads are more... well these girls remind me of fine porcelain tea pots. The head is narrow on the neck. I don't know how to describe this any better. Its about how big the head is on the neck. I wondered if this was a trait that indicated lineage or if it was a trait that should be watched in breeding... or if it doesn't matter at all.

Head structure is something I breed for in all my breeds and feel it is very important as it can change the overall look of a bird very quickly. Here's an example of the head shape I am breeding for and am getting more consistently in the Marans. You are right that there is a large range within the Marans when it comes to head shape.

 

[snowbird]

Head structure is something I breed for in all my breeds and feel it is very important as it can change the overall look of a bird very quickly. Here's an example of the head shape I am breeding for and am getting more consistently in the Marans. You are right that there is a large range within the Marans when it comes to head shape.

Vicki, I have noticed over the years that if the bird has proper type and overall good structure the head will follow along with the right shape. I believe it is very hard to put a good shape head on an unthrifty bird with narrow back and poor breast. It is very hard to get the head shape back if you completely lose it. We have to keep a close eye on this for sure.

 

[gilavina]

Vicki, I have noticed over the years that if the bird has proper type and overall good structure the head will follow along with the right shape. I believe it is very hard to put a good shape head on an unthrifty bird with narrow back and poor breast. It is very hard to get the head shape back if you completely lose it. We have to keep a close eye on this for sure.

very true and agree 100%

 

[choptank330]

So are the girls supposed to have the copper in their necks or no? Just want to know. I'm not breeding.

 

[SeattleLeah]

These blue marans are exactly 5 weeks old today. I thought I would be sure of gender because from what I have seen BCM roos are very apparent by 4 weeks. Are blues a little harder to tell? Any input would be greatly appreciated! They are a little messy from their fermented please, so you will have to excuse them.

Chick 1 - such a pretty light blue almost lavender color!
small pale comb and very small but pink wattles which I just noticed for the first time today. Until now, I thought this one was for sure a pullet.



Chick 2
Small pale comb, small pink wattles.


roo stance in this photo but usually stands more like a girl


Chick 3
This chick is smaller than the others and I thought roo at first because the comb has been slightly larger than the other all along. Now Im not sure?






Thanks!!!!

Ok, here is the week 6 update. Chick #2 and #3 are looking like roos so they will go to a new home this weekend. Im still holding out hope for chick #1. here are the photos:

Chick 1:



chick #2



chick #3

 

[pinkchick]

Pink - I get what you're saying, and I was once of the same opinion.  I'm not trying to discourage anyone or put anyone down that doens't exhibit - if you don't, for WHATEVER reason, that's a personal decision (it's not that costly, though, and you definitely don't need to literally show a bird to get the benefits of going to a show).  Here's the thing.  You can look at the SOP all day long, you can look at pictures, too, but unless you see the birds - not just your own or a handfull of others, but SEVERAL lines, side by side to compare them and see what the judges are saying about them (either via cage card or in speaking directly with the judge), how can you know with certainty that you truly are breeding for what the judges and breeders are all looking for?  You cannot look at a picture and make a decision that way. There are too many things that hide in a picture.  Pictures can be tampered with (I'm not implying anyone does, but it's a fact that it's easy). 

Of COURSE having birds on your property (or working with folks who do), and breeding to the best of your ability using the SOP and pictures - if that's all you want to do or can do - is fine!  I do believe we are all doing what we can.  But until you have been to a show, and SEEN these birds firsthand, you just are not giving yourself all the material you potentially can get for breeding.  That's all I'm saying.  A few years ago, I DID think going to shows was not something that would help me, personally...now that I've been to several and seen the birds, made the breeder contacts, heard firsthand the trials/tribulations and successes and seen examples...I know attending shows is priceless.  Anyone who feels that's just not their thing, no big deal.  It's a personal decision.  Again, we all do what we can.

Wynette~ I understand what you are saying and I respect your position, you know I mean no disrespect, but I just do not feel that going to the shows is the end all of being able to learn about the birds and better the breed.
From a person that grew up raising and showing horses......I whole heartedly agree that shows and showing can advance a person in their goal and knowledge. It is true a person would definitely see and learn some very valuable information by meeting up with other breeders and judges and seeing a variety of birds from A-Z in person and discussing trials and tribulations, but, those same trials and tribulations can be discussed in text and still teach a person.
In my experience I can breed the good the bad and the ugly in my own backyard (and I have believe me, LOL) and see what needs to be corrected with out having to go to a show. All this I have learned from behind my computer and with the help of folks like you and many others here on this thread and forum and the willingness of folks to post photos of their birds that are good and photos of their birds that have issues. I apply what I have learned from folks to my own birds and have gained hands on experience by studying and learning my birds by numerous breedings and hard cullings and asking tons of questions of fine folks who are willing to mentor and share their knowledge.........99% of this of which has been offered by others from behind their computers and right here on BYC.

I do believe that as a whole and from the hard work of many many many dedicated folks that this breed is moving forward. We will always have issues to work with and sort out but with support coming from many different avenues to include showing, mentoring and text (whether that be from a book or from the computer) that this breed will continue to move forward.

Alas I digress as I feel that I am just having a hard time putting into words exactly what I am thinking or feeling and hope that I have not offended anyone with my statements or comments. My comments,tone and intent are never meant to offend in any way shape or form and if I have done that I apologize to anyone I have ever offended.

 

[gilavina]

So are the girls supposed to have the copper in their necks or no? Just want to know. I'm not breeding.

if you are raising black or blue coppers, then yes.

 

[pinkchick]

Ok, here is the week 6 update. Chick #2 and #3 are looking like roos so they will go to a new home this weekend. Im still holding out hope for chick #1. here are the photos:

Chick 1:



chick #2



chick #3

HI! I believe both #1 and #2 are pullets and #3 is definitely a cockerel.

 

[choptank330]

if you are raising black or blue coppers, then yes.

I have FBCM..they are 5 weeks old and a couple have a lot of copper in the back of the neck but no where else ?!

 

[gilavina]

I have FBCM..they are 5 weeks old and a couple have a lot of copper in the back of the neck but no where else ?!

You birds are still very young and will go through quite a bit of transformation over the next few months, so no need to worry