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I thought the intent of this thread was so we could all learn, compare notes, and ALL improve our birds. It's beginning to sound like a "who has the best bird" contest.
I, for one, would like to continue asking questions, reading critiques, and learning what things to watch for in my own flock.
Me too Wynette. That's just it. I don't think anyone has the "perfect" bird but the thread is starting to become a "beauty pagent" where APA SOP is the most important thing. I realize it is to "show people" but I just want to remind everyone that most people out there are not show people. They are kind of excluded from this thread and afraid to "jump in" and post or to ask questions. I know, because they write to me and most order birds. Why.....not because they intend to show but because so many of those that do won't sell their birds because they aren't perfected yet.
As I stated a little earlier, on closer inspection, I would have to cull my entire flock. The endless list has taken its toll even on me and I thought I was pretty "non-involved" in the APA SOP "thing". The "fun" can be drained if it becomes nothing more than a "well that one's not good enough...that one either....nor that one" mentality when you look around your flock.
I liked the "old days" when everyone who got BCMs was so thrilled. Now it's more like, all those same people are now disappointed.
Maybe this thread on BYC is geared to show people, it certainly seems that way to me. But there must be lots of people out there like me, who will never breed (no roosters allowed) and came to the Marans breed because of those gorgeous stop you in your tracks chocolate colored eggs.
I see the pictures of everyones birds that get critiqued and most of the time I can't see the difference. Yes, I can see a squirrel tail and something like no coppering in a BCM but otherwise I am pretty much in the dark. Since I will never show I figgure it doesn't matter. I think MCM hens are very pretty and that incudes ones you guys most likely think are not worthy of breeding. So I just want a BCM hen or two for a small backyard flock so I can enjoy getting some dark eggs.
