Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[geebs]

Dang... He is nice... Chunky monkey. I like the "substance" I like a little less color in the hackle.... a more red/copper personally but overall I like him alot. He has lots of merit IMHO.... I like the shank, the leg feathering... slope of back....Tail... really like the tail... nice eye color... general overall color balance is good. I can't see his chest but he is a nice looking bird...Thanks for posting Wynette. I haven't looked at he others... I will have to try to catch up after for me.... a long weekend.

 

[ruth]

I have a question on the breast/chest color also. If I'm understanding it correctly, and most likely I am NOT - the original French version called for solid black, then they changed it and added that it should have a few colored spots but no more than 10%. I'm not sure what the new proposed standards have concerning that but I'd love to know. Mine seem to fall into one of two categories - solid black (my personal favorite) or lots of red, almost solid red (not within standard). I do have a few with minor "parsimonious spots" but that's not the norm in my flock.

 

[pinkchick]

Ruth~

What a great idea! I'm in and will post pics of my best roo Gnarles this weekend, must get photos that aren't taken through the fence.

 

[Wynette]

Thanks, geebs. I like him so far, but I honestly can't say I love him. He's just got a bit too much hackle color for my liking. But, I do have a young pullet coming up that I REALLY REALLY like, and she's got very sparse coppering in her hackles, so I'm sort of "saving" her for this guy to see what I get.

Ruth, my understanding was always that chest should be solid black - but I have seen someone else post about having no more than 10% of copper feathers in the chest - it's a good question - maybe Bev will pop in at some point today & give her take on it. I cull any with copper feathers in the chest, but I've sent a few packing that were awfully nice, other than that, so if it's true that 10% or less is acceptable, it might be helpful info. for some of us.

 

[gvntofly05]

It's insanely hot here today! So I am trying to stay inside as much as possible!

When I go out to get eggs in a couple of hours I'll try to remember to bring my camera.

I currently have 2 boys and would love to hear what others have to say about them.

 

[geebs]

Wynette: I find that the best balance of color from shank to eye and maintaining the color in the egg lends itself to some copper flecking in the chest... While minimal I think it is important to note that the french allow this because it is necessary in the balance of the coloring. So yep my bird has some.... He is overly copper just slightly but that is to balance the under red hens.... it has worked so far.

Please keep in mind in the PNW we had a very late molt and this is a wet bird.... he he... it never quit raining here until June... So the feathers are very tired... I like the general overall balance and structure of my bird. The comb leaves a bit to be desired... If I were breeding him with correct hens he would be a little overly red in the chest but it isn't of a concern for the hens he is with... and about the sneakers.. Bumblefoot... Thanks for your help with that... He is over it.

 

[Wynette]

Geebs, that's great to know! The girl I speak of, I'm just super, super excited about. I don't know if you recall, but she had a bout with her crop...and I was considering not using her, as I don't want to pass along any weak genes. But, I was able to get to "cough up" a hunk of...something icky, and she seems to be fine since them (that's been about 3-4 weeks ago). She's 20 weeks old now, and I've seen her in the nest box in the last few days, even throwing wood shavings on her back, so I'm hoping it won't be long. If her egg color is good, I'll let her regulate and then I'll be hatching some of her eggs with the "overly copper" boy with the nice comb this fall. I'm uber excited! Yes, I'm a geek.

 

[pinkchick]

Debbi~


How is that little Pipsqueak doing??? I was cruising through the new thread again this morning re-reading it and came across Pip, do you have an updated photo of him/her? The longer I look at that photo, the more Pip looks like a blue, a very dark blue. Is that a possibility or is it just me??

Look at me just taking over your babies name and calling it Pip. lol!

 

[geebs]

O cmon guys.... I can take it... I have already thrown out my "disclaimers"... ha ha ha... Oh and he has leg feathering but it is trimmed also for the weather... (you'll just have to trust me on this)... I will try to get a better picture.. the date is may 29th... I cant' figure out how to change that on my camera... (how silly is that?)

What do you think of my guy??? c'mon... you can do it... BRING IT ON.... I feel no pain today

 

[pinkchick]

Jan~


I like him....how old is he or did I miss that?

I like his copper colors, his type and it looks like he has very good eye color.