Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[pinkchick]

Quote:

That is funny!!! Thanks for sharing! I can just picture that in my mind!

 

[Debbi]

I had fun banding my birds today. The chicklets can wait a couple more weeks to grow into these bands. Got 1-25 green bandettes to mark the year as 2010, and the numbers in order of the chicks birth. Then put colored spirals on them so I can see from a glance what line/breeder they came from. Never did this before, but it's all written down as to who's what where!

Are there any good and easy software programs to do this? Ones you can burn to a disc for safe storage?? I'm a need-to-see-it-on-paper back-up kinda gal!

 

[math ace]

Here is my sex count on my hatch - - - -

13 marans hatched - - - 5 - 7 are girls
6 - 8 are boys.

There are two that we tagged as girls based on wing feathering who now look like roos based on tail feathering.
Either way, I have hatched more roos than hens. Also, I have at least 5 girls.

 

[ruth]

For the record, I never said I didn't care about proposed APA standards - I've simply repeatedly said "MOST" people buying chickens (or even Marans) don't care. MOST people who own chickens will never show them (same with dogs, cats, horses, etc.) There's a HUGE market out there of people who want pretty dual purpose birds that lay pretty eggs - there's nothing wrong with selling to that market. It doesn't mean we sellers don't care about the breed and aren't willing to breed to standard - it's just that, in my case, I'm waiting for standards to be accepted before I start any massive culling and I also don't believe some of the "issues" that are starting to become all so important (on this thread) are going to be real "issues" in a show ring. For example - I think a great looking hen or roo can win a show regardless of whether the vent fluff is black or brown. And, roosters with "cotton tails" have won shows since the dawn of show business. As Don pointed out, most of these "issues" aren't even mentioned in the proposed standards so most birds will be judged on standards and by comparison.

Once standards are accepted, I do plan to do a small breeding program one-on-one for APA show birds. But...I'll still have my "French" standard birds for the majority of the people who want them. If someone only wants show quality birds and wants to go for the blue ribbon, I'd suggest they only buy from other show winning breeders (same with dogs, cats, horses, etc.)

One of the things that concerns me, however, is that those of you have culled so very heavily as Don has (for every little fault) and are left with only a few birds - you still don't have birds that are reproducing "True" - meaning reproducing exact look alikes that do NOT have any of the little "faults" that their predecessors were culled for.

 

[Debbi]

Quote:
That's too funny! I was a rural mail carrier for over 8 years, and I made it my mission to know the names and likes of all the animals on the routes, that were outside at any given time. Sure saved my butt more than a few times! Carried dog treats in my pockets to help make friends with some of the "unfriendlies". Never had to carry meal worms though!

 

[n.smithurmond]

For those that breed to the French standard, what is the general consensus on Black Coppers carrying the wheaten gene? Or is there just as much debate about it?

 

[flgardengirl]

Quote:
That's too funny! I was a rural mail carrier for over 8 years, and I made it my mission to know the names and likes of all the animals on the routes, that were outside at any given time. Sure saved my butt more than a few times! Carried dog treats in my pockets to help make friends with some of the "unfriendlies". Never had to carry meal worms though!

That is pretty smart. He doesn't usually go up to strangers but since she had a box, I think he guessed there must be goodies inside. He is such a pig.

Sounds like you had fun banding your babies. Do use an adjustable type of band?

 

[berkeleysprings]

no need to call me honey , just fly me out there , feed me and il build it
Quote:
Now that is really awesome. You did a nice job. We have so many downed trees in the woods behind our house...hmmm.

Ohhhh Hooonnneeeyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
Ruth, Even though the MCCUSA standard does not spell out all the faults, they will come under the Defects section of the APA SOP. It spells out if the fault is a DQ or just a point deduction. It would of been better if they were spelled out in the Proposed standard. They will be judged as Brown Reds which they are not. They are Black Copper. Most of the faults I have culled for are things that I believe can be bred out of my Marans with enough culling. My Marans are very closely related to your BC Marans and that is all I will say. Don

 

[Debbi]

Quote:
That's too funny! I was a rural mail carrier for over 8 years, and I made it my mission to know the names and likes of all the animals on the routes, that were outside at any given time. Sure saved my butt more than a few times! Carried dog treats in my pockets to help make friends with some of the "unfriendlies". Never had to carry meal worms though!

That is pretty smart. He doesn't usually go up to strangers but since she had a box, I think he guessed there must be goodies inside. He is such a pig.

Sounds like you had fun banding your babies. Do use an adjustable type of band?




I did, and they were so proud of their new jewelry! I used the plastic, numbered "Bandettes" and the plastic colored "Spirals". At least these types I knew I could get on by myself. No one else here to help...just me and the chickens!