Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[OHappyHens]

We are new to chickens (about 2 years with 4 hens - expanding to 10) and are only backyard farmers - in this for the fresh eggs and the fun of watching the hens. We have decided to take things a little further but are completely unsure of what to do next. We were given a rooster - we are told it's a Maran (matches some pictures I've seen online). We have 10 hens (2 RIR, 2 eggers, 2 orpingtons, 2 barred rocks, 1 silver lace/1 gold lace wyandotte). We are wondering which of these crosses with Maran rooster for layers and which would cross best for meat. None of them are laying yet. They are approximately 4 months old at this time. We have introduced them to the rooster but with fencing between them. He is still a good bit bigger than they are right now. We thank you for your help and advice.

 

[Bigbiddy]

You think that one is roo as well snowbird? Comb is much smaller than the other blues and body as well

 

[Bigbiddy]

both Roos? Even with the small comb? Why coloring?

 

[Bigbiddy]

 

[snowbird]

both Roos? Even with the small comb? Why coloring?

Yes, both of these are Males

 

[cluckcluckluke]

Has anyone got any Blue Wheaten Marans?
I would love to see some pictures as I can't find any on the inter net.

 

[vlyons]

I would think that a bigger male would generally make bigger hens, who would make bigger eggs and bigger meat birds. A prettier tail might impress the hens, but is just cosmetic. Good luck with your breeding program. Hope you get a big roo with a fabulous tail.

 

[BLT79]

Does the baby on the right look like a cuckoo maran chick? The legs are black on top, and yellow toes. Dad is def RIR. the other baby is RIR/Aracauna because he/she hatched out of blue egg!

 

[SIMZ]

Could the mom be that hen in the picture? I don't see a spot on its head, so it's possibly a sex-link pullet from your RIR rooster & the barred hen. That's what mine look like when I hatch them. If it is, it will probably be black, not cuckoo.

 

[DMRippy]

I just wanted to let you know WHY it is obvious he is male.....the red on the wings is 100% males always. Today i was sorting chicks and one i was not sure about. Picked up the wings and saw the red saddle feathers coming .....roo for sure. There are several things you can look for to help.