Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Debbi]

Good morning all, and thank you for your thoughts, vibes, and prayers for my son, Sean! It sure does mean a lot to me.

 

[pinkchick]

Quote:
If copper showed up once in a while they are splash copper and blue copper birds that do not always show the copper, so this means that they have the copper gene hiding in their background somewhere. If you don't want copper to continue to pop up in your birds and you only want Solid Blue and Splash you would continue to breed the birds that do not show any signs of copper, however, remember that the gene is in there so it can still pop up anytime. What's your goal with these birds? Dark eggs? Or are you planning on breeding for other things such as to breed standards or do you want to show some day? Just curious.
Sorry in advance for the next couple of questions and if I missed this before you can just tell me to go back and re-read

, did you post photos of the birds? Do you have photos of them to share? I would love to see them. Thanks for sharing the info that you received.

I'm not genetic whiz, but I was told that the reason we see "solid" blue hens,, has to do with the fact that the hen has only 1 color gene., but the males have 2. So, you can have a blue hen, but the males end up showing the 2nd color eventually.

So far, I've never seen a true Marans solid blue rooster. Another color always seeps through, either birchen or copper. I think that the only way to get a true blue male is to breed out to another breed, and then work back into the Marans. Or, maybe through a Cuckoo?

In 4 years of hatching blue copper, I've never gotten a true blue male.

I agree and thanks for pointing that out. I know that true solid blue roos are pretty rare. I think Bev said that she has a nice prospect growing out and she is excited to see how he will mature.
I have never had a blue male either, every male I have grown out has always shown some form of copper, be it too dark, too light, not enough, too much or whatever. argh Right?

I think we should ask Bev how she got to this solid blue boy.

 

[bigoakhunter]

Debbi,

I have included your son and you in my daily prayers....May the Lord watch over him and keep him safe!

Dave

 

[Debbi]

Hi Pink

So let me get this straight. Is it hard to get a solid blue boy from a splash x black or a blue x blue breeding? Assuming that neither cross carries the copper genes, do you still get more pullets to cockerels?? Or does it mean it's just harder to assure that the copper genes aren't hidden in there somewhere?? Was that clear as mud, or what??

More coffee!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Debbi]

Quote:
Thank you Dave!! Where've you been buddy?? How are all your chooks??

 

[pinkchick]

Quote:
I read somewhere that Marans lay on average 200 eggs per year, that would work out to be approx 3-4 eggs per week per hen.

I think that a 5 egg on the scale is the norm for alot of Marans, with some 6's and high 7's being tossed in the mix, but even hens who lay the occassional 8 and 9 do not lay that dark of an egg everytime they lay, IMO. I just hope for maintaining the egg color I have and if it gets darker I consider it a bonus.

and yes, egg laying abilities/traits can be passed on.

 

[flgardengirl]

Quote:
I'm not genetic whiz, but I was told that the reason we see "solid" blue hens,, has to do with the fact that the hen has only 1 color gene., but the males have 2. So, you can have a blue hen, but the males end up showing the 2nd color eventually.

So far, I've never seen a true Marans solid blue rooster. Another color always seeps through, either birchen or copper. I think that the only way to get a true blue male is to breed out to another breed, and then work back into the Marans. Or, maybe through a Cuckoo?

In 4 years of hatching blue copper, I've never gotten a true blue male.

I agree and thanks for pointing that out. I know that true solid blue roos are pretty rare. I think Bev said that she has a nice prospect growing out and she is excited to see how he will mature.
I have never had a blue male either, every male I have grown out has always shown some form of copper, be it too dark, too light, not enough, too much or whatever. argh Right?

I think we should ask Bev how she got to this solid blue boy.

Okay now I'm confused lol. Are you guys talking about solid blue marans roos coming from BBS matings, or solid blue marans roos coming from Bl copper matings, or both?

 

[Mountain Mel]

GOOD MORNING FOLKS!!!!! The monsoon has subsided. We are now in "drought" mode....

 

[pinkchick]

Quote:
for today..

....remember this is Washington.

 

[geebs]

Marans thread official Sean countdown for Debbi Only 17 days left. Not enough time to hatch new babies!!! (that had to be the first order of business today)...