Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[mandymae1984]

I just bought two French Maran "blue" chicks from a flock swap last week. They are about 3 months old the guy told me not really sure I know they are young though.....I was just wondering when I pick them up they are super sweet one lays it's head on my shoulder and just closes it's eyes and "coos" I've never had this breed before and just wanted to know if this is normal (i'm not complaining I think it's the sweetest thing ever! I love it) I just want to make sure it's ok haha. The other one loves to be held but it will not sleep in my hands but will fall asleep sitting next to me but it doesn't make the "coo" noise.

 

[carnivore]

Hi, I don't have any Marans (yet!), but putting in this post so I can subscribe to this thread. Beautiful birds!

 

[DMRippy]

Perhaps this question has already been answered, but exactly how does one tell a true "Blue Marans" apart from a "Blue Copper Marans" that is lacking the copper coloration? Is it a matter of knowing the parentage? How were the Blues developed? Obviously not from the Copper. Just curious here, I get asked that question sometimes, but I just have the Blue Copper and Black Copper, not interested in Blues. Who needs 'em--I've got plenty of "blue" Blue Coppers

I personally wouldn't trust they are BLUE unless I breed them at this point. Too many are expressing copper that should be blue. I got my few blues from a single factor blue cuckoo. I had 2 pullets from him. I am now breeding them to a birchen roo. Some will express silver and some will not. We will see. I think it will take one more cross to the blue pullet before I see solid roos and pullets.

 

[mandymae1984]

I guess I should call mine Blue Copper they do have a little copper color around their necks coming in.......but is the "cooing" noise normal for this breed?

 

[DMRippy]

I guess I should call mine Blue Copper they do have a little copper color around their necks coming in.......but is the "cooing" noise normal for this breed?

They are coppers than. I don't know about the cooing. Mine are not pets.

 

[jgrncen]

Hi everyone I am new to your thread. I do not currently have Marans but I am interested in adding some Chocolate egg layers to my assortment of chickens. I have heard many differences in opinion on which Marans are the better of the breed. I love the French color and the blue. I have kids and I read that the roosters are aggressive is that true? I wanted to come to the experts before I buy any chicks. 

Thank you

You are definitely at the right place for information. I had a zero hatch rate my first BCM eggs. I found a wonderful person on here. She's given me tons of information. That being said. I'm hoping and planning on a successful hatch within the week. This site is wonderful.

 

[Renee97038]

I have a blue copper Marans cockerel, 4 months old, very large, and clumsy. It appears that the outer toe is too short thus making him unbalanced. I looked up the name of this disorder, brachydactyly. Will this defiantly pass on a deformity to offspring? I wanted to cross him with my Ameraucana hens for olive eggers. I'm not a breeder, just a back yard farmer and want to know if I should cull the cockerel.

 

[Ihilani Coffee]

Mahalo (thanks) for the clarification on the SOP Wynette. Often my brain gets way ahead of my fingers and by the time the words are on the screen I've lost half of my thought pattern. I was referring specifically to the shank/toe feathering.

 

[jtbass2756]

This young fellow with the gold chest is doing nothing but getting more and more of a gold chest.....some around the neck but just just speckled. I don't think this fits under the "maran" markings but I really don't know where he belongs! LOL Getting more pretty as he fills out. Anyone know which category he falls into...??

 

[desertmarcy]

This young fellow with the gold chest is doing nothing but getting more and more of a gold chest.....some around the neck but just just speckled. I don't think this fits under the "maran" markings but I really don't know where he belongs! LOL Getting more pretty as he fills out. Anyone know which category he falls into...??

The "cull" category

Seriously, yes he may be pretty, but the Marans breed has plenty of SOP problems so please don't use that male for breeding if you intend to let his offspring go anywhere but your own property.