Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[kmatt87]

 

[kmatt87]

 

[bwalden]

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

Lol! I was unable to resist. I purchased eggs from a breeder who had BCM roos over blue and black hens. I figured I'd end up with 50-50 mix. Nope just one blue hen, all the rest black. She is clean legged also. I'm planning to breed her to my BCM roo if her eggs are dark enough. Both of my BCM roos have nice leg feathering so maybe most of her babies will have it. Guess it's another project.

 

[Bakerentllc]

Maybe here I will get an answer!! Does anybody know what birds cross to make golden cuckoo Marans. I have blue copper , black copper , cuckoo and blue splash ?

 

[Bakerentllc]

Kmatt it's so hard to tell that young by looking at them. Esp cuckoo Marans !! Here's an old farmers secret. Pick the chicken up by scruff on back of neck like a mother cat would pickup a cub. If the chicken drops legs its a hen. If it kicks and fights its a rooster!!

 

[kmatt87]

Kmatt it's so hard to tell that young by looking at them. Esp cuckoo Marans !! Here's an old farmers secret. Pick the chicken up by scruff on back of neck like a mother cat would pickup a cub. If the chicken drops legs its a hen. If it kicks and fights its a rooster!!

huh. I haven't heard that one before. Think it would work for most breeds? I would love if it worked for my silkies!

 

[Zanna]

Lol! I was unable to resist. I purchased eggs from a breeder who had BCM roos over blue and black hens. I figured I'd end up with 50-50 mix. Nope just one blue hen, all the rest black. She is clean legged also. I'm planning to breed her to my BCM roo if her eggs are dark enough. Both of my BCM roos have nice leg feathering so maybe most of her babies will have it. Guess it's another project.

It's hard isn't it I have 3 cock/cockerals and 5 hens pullets I am test mating and hoping to hatch about 25 chicks from each of the single mating combinations............ 11 combinations, that is 275 chicks or so for the season, plus some limited breeding with my Delawares and Welsummers. Wow, I've got enough projects!!!!!

 

[Irishgirl]

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.

No, I haven't looked down his throat yet. Getting a pic was hard enough! But I will look and let you know. Thank you!

 

[Irishgirl]

Kmatt it's so hard to tell that young by looking at them. Esp cuckoo Marans !! Here's an old farmers secret. Pick the chicken up by scruff on back of neck like a mother cat would pickup a cub. If the chicken drops legs its a hen. If it kicks and fights its a rooster!!

I just tried this. It's true!! And also rewarding to see your hunches confirmed.

 

[Bakerentllc]

I just tried this. It's true!! And also rewarding to see your hunches confirmed.

I been doing it for years!! Now there's something you won't find on the Internet!