Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[ladycat]

My Wheatens have way slowed down laying, and I'm trying to fill hatching egg orders. Would it help to raise the protein level of their feed?

But why is it only the Wheatens that have slowed? The other colors are still laying good.

 

[Blue Roo]

Hello all I need some info what does the humidity need to be the last three days of the hatch

 

[Wynette]

I run mine at 62-65; when that first chick hatches, the humidity will rise rapidly so you don't want to begin a hatch with it too awfully high.

 

[tbmorgan]

Thank you, Skies! Sorry it's taken me a few days to get back on here...been crazy busy! Anyway, I did see the description of the GSM's on the Australian site and that sure does sound like my babies, but I'm confused now that they are feathering in. Shouldn't there be a noticeable difference in cockerels vs pullets, color-wise, even at this age? They are amost a month old and all 3 look pretty much identical, except one has a noticeably larger comb and the other two's combs are practically nonexistent. They all have, for lack of a better word, an almost partridgy look. I'll take a group photo tomorrow.

Katja

 

[CarolinaSkies]

Thank you, Skies! Sorry it's taken me a few days to get back on here...been crazy busy! Anyway, I did see the description of the GSM's on the Australian site and that sure does sound like my babies, but I'm confused now that they are feathering in. Shouldn't there be a noticeable difference in cockerels vs pullets, color-wise, even at this age? They are amost a month old and all 3 look pretty much identical, except one has a noticeably larger comb and the other two's combs are practically nonexistent. They all have, for lack of a better word, an almost partridgy look. I'll take a group photo tomorrow.

Katja

Pictures will definitely help ID. They go through some really strange changes and partridgy is a great description of one stage before their base colors start to change. My best advice is to take loads of pictures and include the date.

 

[brlracr624]

How old do chicks have to be before knowing if they are a cockerel? I have 2 cuckoo marans and one has a darker beak and comb area as well as a more prominent comb. The chicks are almost 4 wks. I would like to know if Cinderella is a Cinderfella in case I have to break it to my 4yo that one ofthe chickens will be dinner or with someone else.

 

[BCMaraniac]

How old do chicks have to be before knowing if they are a cockerel? I have 2 cuckoo marans and one has a darker beak and comb area as well as a more prominent comb. The chicks are almost 4 wks. I would like to know if Cinderella is a Cinderfella in case I have to break it to my 4yo that one ofthe chickens will be dinner or with someone else.

If the comb is prominent compared to the other, then you are very likely to be looking at a cockerel. The other things I look at are the wattles. Often the wattles are curved up under the jaw and not easily visible, but I try to keep a very close eye on them because it seems to me that the area where they attach will start to enlarge and get pink fairly early in the cockerels, well before the combs. That is just a subtle change that I have noticed. I try to pay attention to those little things, because I caponize my roosters early and raise them for meat. The little roos will sometimes have thicker, sturdier legs compared to the pullets, and their legs are longer than the pullets, so you might be able to tell that. I kinda look at the totality of those things. I am quite sure someone else can better answer your questions.

Do you have any pictures to post for us to compare?

 

[brlracr624]

Here is the pics I have. Sorry for quality, I was juggling 2 kids 4 and under and the chick, lol.

Cinderella or Cinderfella




Those are really the only clear ones I got. I'll post Applejack our other Cuckoo in my next post.

 

[brlracr624]

Here is AppleJack her comb is smaller so it makes me wonder.

 

[lizzy61]

Folks, the previous thread was closed due to the bickering that broke out in the last few days.  It will remain closed on the forum for our future reference.

This is our second chance - let's ALL work together to make sure this one doesn't end up spiraling downward. 


Please remember that there is ALWAYS (did I say ALWAYS) a way to get your point across without being rude, inconsiderate, and/or arrogant.  There, I've said it.  We all know this breed is fairly new to the U.S. and that until the proposed standard is approved, there will be varying opinions, which is welcomed.  Please just put a few seconds of thought in before you his the post button.


I want to add one last additional note - there's not a thing wrong with folks just wanting some pretty birds that lay a gorgeous egg - let's remember that, and not jump all over peeps who just want to learn about this breed & have pretty eggs in their egg baskets.  Breeding for show is not for everyone, and it certainly shouldn't be pushed onto someone that's not interested in it.


Okay, post away!!!  /img/smilies/big_smile.png

I love my Maran she is so beautiful and her eggs are perfec I'm a new beginner and I love it. NO FUSSING HERE. THANK YOU