Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[berkeleysprings]

I sure hope your doing ok with all the rain I hear Australia is getting , I hope its not affecting your part of the world there blackdotte
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All depends what it looks like. There is always a possibility that Wheaten,White or Golden Salmon recessives might inherit melanisers from their BC parents,( & if they do not have the required Inhibitor of Dermal Melanin) might have black,grey or even blue shank colour. These would be culls as these shank colours are a disqualification in all Marans varieties except Black,BC & Birchin.
They may however be perfectly good examples of these varieties.
Judge the individual bird.
David

 

[sewandgrow]

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Thanks Ivy,
Pm me your address & I will send you a copy of the plans I drew up if you want. The total footprint is about 4 foot by 8 foot (maybe 7). I thought I would have to put a ladder but nope they jump right up in it at will.

 

[Keara]

sorry to hear I am not the only one

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[Ivywoods]

Speaking of blood spots a few posts back, I have noticed I have blood spots in many of my marans eggs. I do not have any blood spots in my buff orpington or jersey giant eggs. These hens were all raised together and share the same coop. There are no roosters in with them. How can I get rid of this? I want to sell eggs, but I don't want to turn people off toward the dark eggs.

 

[Keara]

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Funny you say that as I have had chickens for 5-6yrs and my first Marans hen laying, is also the first time I have had blood/meat spots. She is very consistant about it too, spot in every egg I've cracked. Never seen them before this with my non marans hens.

 

[berkeleysprings]

i did read some where it could be a viteman" A" deficency but i dont bleave it because my other birds dont have blood spots

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[math ace]

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My research says something different - - - -

My hens are 1 year and 1 month old so they are neither young or old. . . . ( at least I don't think so

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[geebs]

http://msucares.com/poultry/reproductions/poultry_parts_embryo.html

 

[berkeleysprings]

did u have some info about light causing spots ?i didnt know extra lighting would do that ,,, interesting, like many times b4 i stand corrected lol
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My research says something different - - - -

My hens are 1 year and 1 month old so they are neither young or old. . . . ( at least I don't think so

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[math ace]

When this issue first showed up in my flock, I had just started using lights. I did research and found the young and old hen theory previously mentioned. I, also, found that some breeds seem to be more sensitive to the artificial lighting and the result would be blood spots. I cut back on the amount of artificial lighting I used and the amount of blood spots my hens threw also reduced.

I only had blood spots in my marans. . . . none of my other breeds EVER passed blood spots.

IMO, marans may be one of those breeds that are sensitive to the artificial lighting.