Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[pinkchick]

Ruth~

That's awesome! Congratulations!!!!

Does anyone know if anyone else we know entered their eggs in the show? If so, how did they do?


Morning Debbi!!!!

fowled-out~ I wish I could help but I don't know who is selling birds or chicks right now. Are you able to hatch eggs? This may be one of the best ways this time of year that you can get some Black Copper.

 

[pinkchick]

Wendy'sChicksRock :

I was there and got 2 marens. Im really hoping they lay the really dark eggs. Is their a way to tell? I was going to ask her but manwas she BUSY, great display and nice birds.
Im not 100 % sure but I think they are Black or black copper?
Wendy

Welcome Wendy! Congrats on your Marans! You will love them!
Do you have photos to share? We love photos!!

 

[Debbi]

Mornin' Miss Pink!

 

[Hens and Roos]

Morning, thanks for sharing the picture of all the eggs! My DS(5) said he would like one of each

, told him we probably didn't have enough room for all the birds it would take!

 

[pinkchick]

Quote:
Morning! Sounds like your dear son has it all worked out! I love how their minds work at this age, smart little whippersnappers aren't they? You tell him I totally agree with his method of thinking!!!!

 

[The Point]

Quote:
Morning Debbi! I did take pictures, they didn't turn out very well. I am off to a soccer banquet this morning, but I will try and post some later today. This is a guess, I did not count, I think there were 6 or 7 cuckoo's, 2 BC cockerels, 3 BC hens, 2 Wheaton roo's 1 or 2 Wheaton cockerels and 4 or 5 Wheaton hens. I didn't buy any birds, but had fun shopping for "accessories"

 

[Debbi]

Thanks Tannis. Wow, that wasn't as many Marans as I would've hoped at that big a show.

 

[n.smithurmond]

Alright experts- I need your help assessing our first BC Marans! I'm trying to learn so don't bother sugar coating it.

We acquired these guys as chicks back in April and one of the pullets has just started laying. We ended up with 4 cockerels and 2 pullets out of 6 chicks. One cockerel was already culled. I have 3 remaining, two of which have yellowish legs. I'm getting the impression that's a trait to cull for regardless of their other qualities? PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong about that. Here are a couple pics of the other Roo and the ladies. The only thing that seems obvious to me about the Rooster at this point is that his mantle seems too light and unevenly colored? One of the pullets has black eyes and not much leg feathering. The other has heavier leg feathering and has red-orange eyes. She's also enormous! Her comb is large and does flop over in the rear. I think it's the latter who has started to lay and the eggs are quite dark.

I apologize for the picture quality. And again, honesty will not go unappreciated!

 

[pinkchick]

n.smithurmond :

Alright experts- I need your help assessing our first BC Marans! I'm trying to learn so don't bother sugar coating it.

We acquired these guys as chicks back in April and one of the pullets has just started laying. We ended up with 4 cockerels and 2 pullets out of 6 chicks. One cockerel was already culled. I have 3 remaining, two of which have yellowish legs. I'm getting the impression that's a trait to cull for regardless of their other qualities? PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong about that. Here are a couple pics of the other Roo and the ladies. The only thing that seems obvious to me about the Rooster at this point is that his mantle seems too light and unevenly colored? One of the pullets has black eyes and not much leg feathering. The other has heavier leg feathering and has red-orange eyes. She's also enormous! Her comb is large and does flop over in the rear. I think it's the latter who has started to lay and the eggs are quite dark.

I apologize for the picture quality. And again, honesty will not go unappreciated!

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c381/nickismith/maraneggs.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c381/nickismith/BCMRoo2.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c381/nickismith/BCMRoo1.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c381/nickismith/BCMHen2.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c381/nickismith/BCMHen1.jpg

Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!
Congratulations! Very pretty egg!
I'm not an expert by any means but will share with you what I see.

Yes yellow legs is something that would be culled for IMO regardless of all other attributes the bird has. IMO this would be a sign of an outcross in the background somewhere and it is showing its reccessive head. The leg colors of Marans can be white/pinkish, lighter blue and a dark slate/charcoal color.

Your rooster has what is referred to as "flame" or "flaming" in his hackles. It happens in the Marans and can be worked with if it is something that a person wants to change. To my knowledge there is no mention of it being a D.Q. if a person wants to show and I do not believe that it is considered a fault either. (Don- aka, snowbird...always has to back me up on this one

)

I like your roo overall, I do not see any yellowing in his legs. I like his type. He has a nice chest, good stance, I personally love his copper colors and the balance that he expresses. He has what appears to be a shorter back but it may be how he is standing in the last photo. Also the second photo of him makes him look like he has a little too high of a tail set. Is this the way he normally carries his tail?

Love the type of the second pullet!!!!

 

[n.smithurmond]

Quote:
Thanks! I couldn't even begin to discuss type when it comes to chickens of any breed, but she really strikes me as a beautifully shaped pullet! I like her expression.