Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[SalinasChicken]

It pops up every once in awhile.  Not gender related either.  just watch it and see how it fills out.... looks like a pullet to me though.

Thanks so much DMRippy!! I've never seen anything like that and I was concerned!

 

[Ihilani Coffee]

Hello everyone! I have a question for all you experienced Marans folks. I just hatched my second batch of Marans this year from my own flock of BBS Coppers. Out of 30 chicks hatched so far, today one hatched with a copper spot on it's head. Anyone ever seen anything like this? There's no way it's mixed with anything, my breeders are kept separate from the rest of the flock and they've been separated since January. Thanks in advance for any replies

Last week I had a blue copper and a BCM chick hatch with these brick colored dots on their heads. Just going to watch them.

 

[SalinasChicken]

Ok, I'll keep an eye on this one too, see how it feathers out. I'm glad I'm not the only one who has seen this. Thanks so much Ihilani coffee!

 

[Wynette]

anyone on here breed black tail buff?

Donna Prahl has been breeding them for some time, as well.

 

[Hangtown Farms]

Donna Prahl has been breeding them for some time, as well.

Cool do you know here byc name

 

[Wynette]

Cool do you know here byc name

She's not a BYC person. I'll PM her contact information to you.

 

[ladycat]

She's not a BYC person. I'll PM her contact information to you.

Could you pm that info to me too? Although if she's like other show people it will be a long waiting list.

 

[ladycat]

Here are my BTB. I have 3 roos and 2 hens. You can see they need a LOT of improvement. Which is why I'm desperately trying to find some good stock, but everyone is sold out for the season or has a long waiting list.

 

[Wynette]

Could you pm that info to me too? Although if she's like other show people it will be a long waiting list.

... but everyone is sold out for the season or has a long waiting list.

The BTB variety is very new to the breed and not even approved yet; thus, patience is the key in getting good stock. There are not a ton of people breeding the variety, and you need to be careful about who you choose to get stock from. Opt for a breeder who has been working with them a long time and knows the breed standard quite well, and you'll get further faster. If it takes a year to get good stock...so be it! If poultry breeding doesn't teach you patience, nothing will!

 

[Peep_Show]

I'm very interested in this breed, especially for the eggs. I have a couple of questions (and please excuse my chicken ignorance):

1) What is the average eggs/week people are getting from their birds? And if you could also delineate 1st year v. 2nd year v. onward, that would be great.

2) Are Marans a noisy breed? (Just talking about hens here)

3) About what age do Marans roos start to crow? And what do they weigh at that point? (Cockerels will be in the Soup Coop, but it they crow they go.)

4) How thrifty are they on feed?

Thank you for your input!