Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[clankeyes]

From here: http://www.veeru.reading.ac.uk/comp2/Poultryweb/disease/nutri/nutri1.htm


Or it could be something else.

They are all on Nutrina chick starter. and everyone else is fine. He was the only one who hatched out of 11 eggs. I have never seen this before.

 

[Ihilani Coffee]

Not sure what is going on.. all my other Marans are fine. He is my only wheaten the others are BCM and Blue CM

My Rhodebar chicks do this sometimes when those feathers come in. Then they straighten out and look normal. I don't know what causes it, but it freaked me out too. Wait and see.

 

[clankeyes]

My Rhodebar chicks do this sometimes when those feathers come in. Then they straighten out and look normal. I don't know what causes it, but it freaked me out too. Wait and see.

Thanks !!! My friend told me to just wait and see through 2 molts..... and if it continued then cull. NOT that I am quick to cull this little guy. BUT yes it's freaking me out.. BUT he eats, plays, active.. little guy and when you hold him he wants to cuddle or sit on your hand.

 

[3riverschick]

Hi

Ok so you wait 2 molts ( that's a long time) and the bird does correct. What then? Is this really a trait you want to set in your gene pool? Have to tell chick buyers, "Uh, you might have to wait at least a year or 2 before your bird looks normal.". Or have folks in the Marans fancy look at birds and say, "Hey, that's a clankeyes bird, I can tell by the wonky feathers when they are young.". Is that really what you want?
Best,
Karen

 

[WildHorseMountain]

Hi everyone! It's been awhile since I've been on here and so much has happened since I've been away. I've been busy working on my Silver Cuckoo Marans for a few years now, working on the dark egg color and standard. Last year I noticed one of my best hens acting broody and gave her a chance to try and hatch a few eggs, but she was unsuccessful. This year she insisted on trying again, so I let her sit 3 eggs. I'm tickled to say that one hatched yesterday and she's being a very protective mommy! Words can't describe how happy I am, especially since the 'broody' seems to have been bred out of this breed almost completely! Now to wait and see how well this progresses!

 

[clankeyes]

Hi

Ok so you wait 2 molts ( that's a long time) and the bird does correct. What then? Is this really a trait you want to set in your gene pool? Have to tell chick buyers, "Uh, you might have to wait at least a year or 2 before your bird looks normal.". Or have folks in the Marans fancy look at birds and say, "Hey, that's a clankeyes bird, I can tell by the wonky feathers when they are young.". Is that really what you want?
Best,
Karen

I am new to chickens and Marans... I am trying to learn. I have another group hatching the first week of July. This will tell me more for sure. I ordered these eggs from Garry Farm in GA.

 

[elorraine52]

looking for opinions on this roo as far as keeping him to breed forward on my BCM's. He is almost 4 months old now. He seems the best out of all that I raised, the others seem to have less copper color, or too little leg feathering, or have dark eyes instead of the orange mentioned in the SOP.

 

[ellymayRans]

My Marans have generally laid around 24-25 weeks, but  if their combs are bright red, it shouldn't be much longer.

I wish any I've raised did! That's one thing I struggle with. .mine don't start laying til 8 months!

 

[Aussie-Chook]

Qu 1. Do I have 3 Copper Maran Roos? They are 8-9 weeks old. The combs and wattles are coming in much bigger & sooner than their Blue Maran sibling (below) of same age, and they appear to be sprouting tan feathers near their saddles ... Only got 4 Marans ...

Qu 2. They are part of a mixed flock (total 10 chooks) The other 6 birds are 4 weeks older, with one roo already. Is 4 roos too many for 6 girls or each other?? 80 sq ft tractor pen moved weekly for fresh pasture and free range possible for when they are fully mature.



Thanks folks

 

[Zanna]

Qu 1. Do I have 3 Copper Maran Roos? They are 8-9 weeks old. The combs and wattles are coming in much bigger & sooner than their Blue Maran sibling (below) of same age, and they appear to be sprouting tan feathers near their saddles ... Only got 4 Marans ...

Qu 2. They are part of a mixed flock (total 10 chooks) The other 6 birds are 4 weeks older, with one roo already. Is 4 roos too many for 6 girls or each other?? 80 sq ft tractor pen moved weekly for fresh pasture and free range possible for when they are fully mature.



Thanks folks

Yes, you have 3 cockerals. Once the boys start feeling their hormones, 4 is way too many for 6 girls (they will be fine until then). I personally would not have less than 6 pullets per cockeral and preferably 8 - 12 in a community flock.