Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[cpartist]

Quote:
Kathy....don't dismiss this boy...IMO his coloring is REALLY NICE

.
He may be on the small side because he hatched from a smaller egg, or had too much competition from the larger roo.
They change, and fill out so much between 6-12 months...I'd give him some time, some just seem to grow at different
rates. IMO, it would be easier to breed toward better size (by pairing him to your "chunkiest" pullets) than to have to
work on correcting color and other issues. I really like his coppery, stripe free hackles, slightly darker copper saddles,
and nice mahogany shoulders, starting to show a nice wing triangle. IMO, it's a lot about compensation/ complimentary breeding, since none of us have "perfect"
birds. If we did, they'd be using photos instead of illustrations in the SOP.

Illia, LOVE your roos

. Are you sure you want to let go of that black Wheaten? Although the Blue is beautiful, and I understand you want to breed to the
Blue Wheatens, that Wheaten boy could really contribute to your breeding program. He is the nicest I've ever seen from this variety. Also, reading about other
breeds in the B/BL/S coloring that keeping a Black to breed back to, really helps to keep the blue from getting too washed out, and contributes to good lacing.

Just wondering

.

 

[CANDLE98]

Hello! I have two BCMarans roosters and one is very colorful and the other only has coloring on his neck, the same goes for my two hens one is completely black while the other has coloring on her neck, what is the difference?

 

[Illia]

Quote:
Kathy....don't dismiss this boy...IMO his coloring is REALLY NICE

.
He may be on the small side because he hatched from a smaller egg, or had too much competition from the larger roo.
They change, and fill out so much between 6-12 months...I'd give him some time, some just seem to grow at different
rates. IMO, it would be easier to breed toward better size (by pairing him to your "chunkiest" pullets) than to have to
work on correcting color and other issues. I really like his coppery, stripe free hackles, slightly darker copper saddles,
and nice mahogany shoulders, starting to show a nice wing triangle. IMO, it's a lot about compensation/ complimentary breeding, since none of us have "perfect"
birds. If we did, they'd be using photos instead of illustrations in the SOP.

Illia, LOVE your roos

. Are you sure you want to let go of that black Wheaten? Although the Blue is beautiful, and I understand you want to breed to the
Blue Wheatens, that Wheaten boy could really contribute to your breeding program. He is the nicest I've ever seen from this variety. Also, reading about other
breeds in the B/BL/S coloring that keeping a Black to breed back to, really helps to keep the blue from getting too washed out, and contributes to good lacing.

Just wondering

.

Funny that you mention it, I was thinking today on keeping the Wheaten. Because honestly, I think him and my only Blue wheaten pullet will make for a MUCH better Blue Wheaten cockerel offspring, whom I will then use for my main cock. For one - I think the Wheaten will really help body type, as all my Wheatens and blue Wheatens came from a cock who was quite a bit like my current Blue Wheaten - Skinny. So hopefully by using a nice, deep, sturdy male, I can breed towards a bigger, fuller Blue Wheaten.

 

[cpartist]

Quote:
Kathy....don't dismiss this boy...IMO his coloring is REALLY NICE

.
He may be on the small side because he hatched from a smaller egg, or had too much competition from the larger roo.
They change, and fill out so much between 6-12 months...I'd give him some time, some just seem to grow at different
rates. IMO, it would be easier to breed toward better size (by pairing him to your "chunkiest" pullets) than to have to
work on correcting color and other issues. I really like his coppery, stripe free hackles, slightly darker copper saddles,
and nice mahogany shoulders, starting to show a nice wing triangle. IMO, it's a lot about compensation/ complimentary breeding, since none of us have "perfect"
birds. If we did, they'd be using photos instead of illustrations in the SOP.

Illia, LOVE your roos

. Are you sure you want to let go of that black Wheaten? Although the Blue is beautiful, and I understand you want to breed to the
Blue Wheatens, that Wheaten boy could really contribute to your breeding program. He is the nicest I've ever seen from this variety. Also, reading about other
breeds in the B/BL/S coloring that keeping a Black to breed back to, really helps to keep the blue from getting too washed out, and contributes to good lacing.

Just wondering

.

Funny that you mention it, I was thinking today on keeping the Wheaten. Because honestly, I think him and my only Blue wheaten pullet will make for a MUCH better Blue Wheaten cockerel offspring, whom I will then use for my main cock. For one - I think the Wheaten will really help body type, as all my Wheatens and blue Wheatens came from a cock who was quite a bit like my current Blue Wheaten - Skinny. So hopefully by using a nice, deep, sturdy male, I can breed towards a bigger, fuller Blue Wheaten.

I'll be inline for eggs...if I can squeeze out another pen

 

[coq au vin]

I couldn't get good enough pics of the pullets, but the boys were a little more cooperative and had better lighting.

Here they are, perched on this little sunshade I made for them...

My main rooster is on the far left. Heir to the throne has his back to us and has only slightly less red on the chest than the next one that's facing us. The last BCM, he's just serving as predator bait. The last cockerel on the right is a pea-combed Black Copper Penedemaransaucana.


here's my main man...

I'll have to borrow a real camera for the pullets. There are a few good ones in there, but I'll really be able to show you all some serious culls (Penedesenca influence, squirrel tail and other such nonsense).

 

[coq au vin]

That would make for a cute avatar if not for the trashy looking tarp.

 

[Illia]

Quote:

Nice "main man," but I feel so bad for the "predator bait."

Love your Araucana x Penedesenca.

 

[geebs]

Very cute group... and so amicable.

 

[geebs]

So is that an Penedecauna or an Auraudesenca????

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
Sadly, not really. I mean, I bet he could be, but he's rather shy. I've handled him before, but only in situations where I was the advantageous one. And I will say this - He is a heavy, hunky fella for his age!

"Sweet" is this guy. He's a Black Copper from Bev Davis lines, and the same age, but he's the sweetest cockerel I have ever known. I can pet him, pick him up, call to him, feed him by hand, even let strangers do the same. He never complains or spooks one bit. He'll climb right ino my lap if I let him.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/4996605467_d2b770ac3e_z.jpg


Oh, and for those wanting to see my pick Blue Wheaten cockerel. Finally got a photo of him. He's the same age as all the other guys I've been showing, but still needs a lot of filling out and growing to do. I picked him from 3 BW Marans because of his amazing blue color and lacing, also his tail was better (even though it has some missing feathers) and his body is filling out faster than the other two. Can't wait until he grows to be a tank like his buddies!

[URL]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/4996537801_197e692e23_z.jpg[/URL][img]

Illia, that BW boy is [B]FANTASTIC[/B]! I just submitted my name to be put on Cree Farm's list for eggs next spring. Hopefully I'll be growing out one of my own BW boys that looks something like yours next year!