Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[pinkchick]

Thanks ChickensAreSweet!

Long time now see....how are you doing?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Thanks ChickensAreSweet!

Long time now see....how are you doing?

We are doing fine! Thanks for asking!

I have chicks of various breeds in one shed and some Orps in another shed. One broody sitting on Black Orp eggs from Hinkjc for my oldest son to raise.

Still trialing different breeds. This time I am trying some Egyptian Fayoumis, Leghorns, LF Cochins, Bantam Barred Rocks, and some other breeds we have had before. Also have some silkies again for one of my sons to raise.

Lots of fun and they are almost ready for pasture (I put them on pasture at three weeks with heat lamp available at all times inside shed thru pop door).

I hope you are doing well also!

 

[Zanna]

Just to touch on this subject briefly....I have seen fluff on the web and middle toe on both male and females. I believe I have some photos of females with it......when I find them I will post them, but will say that I do tend to see it more often on the males vs. the females.

X2 I saw a hen at the PNPA Show in Stevenson last fall with middle toe feathering.

Adorable chicks Pink! I have 7 BCM in the hatcher drying off right now, tis the season

 

[Irishgirl]

SeattleLeah, it seems to be fluid filled and kinda soft. He peeps if I press on it, so I guess it's sensitive. It's not a bone spur, and looks like it's gotten bigger since I got him at 1 week old. He's eating and drinking fine, and gets along well with my other baby hens and roos.

OHBigmamma, I was wondering about his eye color too. They're a greeny-gray, and the website I looked at said orange was the accepted eye color for BCM roos. Is that right?

pinkchick, as far as I know, he's had it since "birth", but I didn't really notice it.

 

[Irishgirl]

I'm in southern NM. Can anyone reccomend where i could purchase bc maran chicks or eggs? I could drive to west Texas or eastern AZ. Thank you for any help

Very best wishes

I got mine 2nd generation from a lady who bought Wade Geane strain French BCMs from Chicken Scratch Poultry. They are kinda pricy, but their stock looks very well managed.

 

[pinkchick]

SeattleLeah,  it seems to be fluid filled and kinda soft. He peeps if I press on it, so I guess it's sensitive.  It's not a bone spur, and looks like it's gotten bigger since I got him at 1 week old. He's eating and drinking fine, and gets along well with my other baby hens and roos.

OHBigmamma, I was wondering about his eye color too. They're a greeny-gray, and the website I looked at said orange was the accepted eye color for BCM roos.  Is that right?

 
pinkchick, as far as I know, he's had it since "birth", but I didn't really notice it.

Another question.....have you looked in his beak and down his throat to see if he has any blistering or sores in there?

About eye color, the greeny gray that you describe is normal for young birds. Their eye color does not change until they mature. Start watching at about 4-6 months of age to see this change. Females and males eye color change happens near or around sexual maturity.

It has been my experience with all of my birds that young birds with this green gray eye color are the birds that have correct eye color when mature. Both male and female eye color per the SOP should both be orange........but in this breed the dark eyes happen. The dark eye can happen because of melanisers and or other factors such as something else in the genetic make-up of the birds lineage.

 

[pinkchick]

Thanks Zanna!

Are all of your babies BCM or do you have some blues in there too?

 

[Keara]

Just to touch on this subject briefly....I have seen fluff on the web and middle toe on both male and females. I believe I have some photos of females with it......when I find them I will post them, but will say that I do tend to see it more often on the males vs. the females.

Pink, good to know.... I won't try to use it as a method for determining sex!

I have, however, found that after using a male with middle toe feather I have greatly improved leg and outer toe feather on my females. I wounder if this will end up being a variable that is never stable? What do you think?

 

[Zanna]

Thanks Zanna!

Are all of your babies BCM or do you have some blues in there too?

Only have BCM! I have so far been successfull in resisting the Blues, must stay focused.............

 

[kmatt87]

Can anyone help with gender indentification? He/she is a cukoo maran hatched jan 31st. This is my first maran....

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