Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[somadlyinlove]

I posted in this thread :
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/261208/sex-linked-information/920#post_13071596
but it's an old thread. I'm trying to figure out how accurate color sexing can be with Cuckoo Marans. My understanding is that they are not sex links so can anyone say how accurate you can be in trying to figure out the gender?

 

[ladycat]

I posted in this thread :
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/261208/sex-linked-information/920#post_13071596
but it's an old thread. I'm trying to figure out how accurate color sexing can be with Cuckoo Marans. My understanding is that they are not sex links so can anyone say how accurate you can be in trying to figure out the gender?

Looks like a boy to me. Boys have two copies of the barring gene, making them lighter than the pullets and with a bigger head spot.

That being said, Cuckoo Marans aren't always as easily told apart as are Barred Rocks.

 

[DMRippy]

I have had several eggs shipped to me in those all had the WORST hatches.
One was like 30 eggs and 6 developed and maybe 2 hatched. Another was 7 eggs only 2 hatched. and another 36 eggs in foam 4 doz total and only got 13 to hatch and only 2 pullets survived.... sad. I will NEVER use them I don't think they really keep the eggs stable enough.

 

[somadlyinlove]

Thank you, Ladycat. That's interesting I'm thinking it's a roo too. None of the other 4 Marans eggs have hatched to compare it to. I think they still may if my broody will stay put long enough. I did sneak some of them under her a few days late.
One of 2 olive-eggers is pipping tonight.

 

[Ihilani Coffee]

I have had several eggs shipped to me in those all had the WORST hatches.
One was like 30 eggs and 6 developed and maybe 2 hatched. Another was 7 eggs only 2 hatched. and another 36 eggs in foam 4 doz total and only got 13 to hatch and only 2 pullets survived.... sad. I will NEVER use them I don't think they really keep the eggs stable enough.

I think the only way they work well is to pack the foam shippers in other packing material, giving a second cushion. The foam against the outside shipping box transfers any shock the box gets directly to the eggs held so tightly in the foam.

 

[lawatt]

so here's an unexpected development -- I have a broody hen, and put seven eggs under her from my two birchen marans pullets, both crossed with a birchen marans cockerel -- i've previously hatched eggs from one of them, and those chicks have (as expected) hatched as black with some white markings, and at 6 weeks, one is already definitely showing the birchen pattern, and the other might.

so this morning the eggs under the broody are "due," and I just checked -- two have hatched so far, but they are both *yellow* chicks. totally not what i expected to see.

the younger birchen pullet hatched from an egg that came from (as i understand it) a mixed-marans pen -- but I didn't realize two birchen-patterned black birds could produce a light-colored chick. or might they be sports?

they are very cute, just not at all what i expected!

(no pictures yet, since more eggs are pipping under the broody & i didn't want to disturb her too much)

 

[ladycat]

two have hatched so far, but they are both *yellow* chicks. totally not what i expected to see.

Maybe they are carrying recessive white?

 

[lawatt]

Maybe they are carrying recessive white?

perhaps so! my understanding of marans/coloration genetics is weak at best, so am interested to hear any suggestions as to what might be going on! am just curious to get a sense of how they might have been produced.

 

[ladycat]

I have had several eggs shipped to me in those all had the WORST hatches.
One was like 30 eggs and 6 developed and maybe 2 hatched. Another was 7 eggs only 2 hatched. and another 36 eggs in foam 4 doz total and only got 13 to hatch and only 2 pullets survived.... sad. I will NEVER use them I don't think they really keep the eggs stable enough.

I think the only way they work well is to pack the foam shippers in other packing material, giving a second cushion. The foam against the outside shipping box transfers any shock the box gets directly to the eggs held so tightly in the foam.

DMRippy, did the ones you received have any padding around them?

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
I think some did but not all.