Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Ihilani Coffee]

I had to replace the zip ties on my chicks today, and decided to take individual photos. They are 3 weeks and 2 days old. I've found that their leg color has changed a lot over the past few days. It has started to darken dramatically. I had tagged them according to gender and too much/ too little color according to down color. I'm finding my assumptions to be incorrect in regards to color. I'm not sure as too how much color should be seen at this age.

Cockerel #1: Good amount of body and leg feathering, no color yet to be seen. Very large/heavy in weight. Assumed earlier to be male and of good coloring.


Cockerel #2: Late to feather, heavy leg feathering, no color to be seen. Assumed earlier to be male and of good coloring.


Pullet #1: Adequate leg and body feathering. Light color seen, though not as much as expected. Assumed earlier to be female and very heavy in coloring.


Cockerel #3: Good body feathering with heavy leg feathering. One of the lighter males, has a lot of color. Assumed earlier to be male and heavy coloring


Pullet #2: Good body and leg feathering, no color to be seen. Assumed earlier to be female and light coloring.


Pullet #3: Good body feathering, heavy leg feathering. Heavy coloring shown- much more than expected. Assumed earlier to be pullet and lightly colored.


Cpckerel #4: Very little body and leg feathering. No color seen from what has feathered in. Assumed earlier to be male with good coloring.


Pullet #4: Good body feathering and heavy leg feathering. No color shown in feathering, but there is a copper spot on head- less than expected. Assumed earlier to be female with too much coloring.


Cockerel #5: Good body and leg feathering. Extremely heavy coloring, with white markings- much more than expected. Assumed earlier to be male with good coloring.


Gender unknown: Good body feathering with very little leg feathering. Heavy color so far. Assumed earlier to be male and heavy colored

It might be more helpful to be more specific when using the word "coloring." What I am seeing here is a lot of mossiness in these chicks which some say will portend darker eggs but is not correct body color, especially at this age.

 

[forgetful]

It might be more helpful to be more specific when using the word "coloring."  What I am seeing here is a lot of mossiness in these chicks which some say will portend darker eggs but is not correct body color, especially at this age.  

I wasn't sure as to the correct term to use, so I went with what I could. I also wasn't sure as to how much mossiness they should be exhibiting at this age. So they should be completely black? And how long should they stay black- more specifically the cockerels? I would imagine the hens should stay black.

Also- If I get a bird with too little color (which I am doubting will happen), can I mate it with a bird with too much color and have it even out?

 

[snowbird]

Quote: Are the feet as yellow as they look in the pictures ? At the age of these the yellow should of went away. When young Marans this age show all the mossiness they will usually have too much color when feathered out completely after the first molt. The females with all of this color will usually lay a darker egg. Don

 

[forgetful]

Are the feet as yellow as they look in the pictures ? At the age of these the yellow should of went away. When young Marans this age show all the mossiness they will usually have too much color when feathered out completely after the first molt. The females with all of this color will usually lay a darker egg. Don

I wouldn't say they are yellow, but at the time of the photos they were a fleshy color. Since then they have darkened to where just the pads are flesh colored

 

[chicken pickin]

I also posted this on the Black Copper Marans discussion thread but thought I would post here to see if I can get some feed back on my cockerel. I apologize to those of you who frequent both threads.

This is my cockerel he is now 18weeks old

 

[Krissilpn]

could my hen possibly be a maran? She was given to me by a friend and they were not sure.

 

[chicken pickin]

could my hen possibly be a maran? She was given to me by a friend and they were not sure.

She does not look like a Marans. Maybe a mix breed. Is she laying yet?

 

[Krissilpn]

Not yet but getting close. She is my prettiest bird for sure and the largest. I also was given an all black one. Her feathers are black with green and purple sheen. I have been trying to figure out what they could be. On one thread it said to look at the bottom of the black onesfeet to see if they are black or yellow. Mine is neither lol. She is all black, all black feet, with a dark pink with black comb as well. When my hubby brought them to me he said one was a maran and one an amaracana, but neither look like what he said they sould be unless like you say they are mixed. .

 

[Theegoliath]

My wife and I are looking to add a Golden Chuckoo Marans hen or pullet as the next member of our backyard flock. We live in Kitsap county, in Washington. I am willing to drive up to two hours away to pick one up. I have entertained the idea of hatching, but we do not have the equipment, and none of our 8 other girls are broody. Since its the end of the chic season, all of the hatcheries I have researched are sold out of them for the year. Anyone out there who can help?

 

[Yoyo with chick]

Does anyone have cuckoo marns?