Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[lildinkem]

I culled 10 cockerels this week from various pens. Mostly Buff Orps.
This 5 month ole has to go. Sledge-a-matic. He isn't even a Marans. Some Ameraucana "Yes", zero Marans blood. Really don't need anymore projects

 

[jenniferannmurphy]

His name is "The General" We were thinking he was pretty promising, but he's never had any real expert look at him. Hopefully someone can tell from this lame photo. I think he has the wrong eye color. But he is such a majestic bird, and as close as I can tell, of our birds, to the standards posted online. Any input would be very welcome. I would love to get into the show circuit.

 

[Illia]

Quote:
He's in a funny position, but otherwise his comb to me is ugly (I'm one of those comb-picky people

) and he's got not much coppering. Otherwise it is kinda hard to tell. His tail seems fine except that there isn't much to the base.

 

[PepsNick]

I love this thread!

 

[Shannoniganshens]

O.k., I've lurked this thread long enough, I have to know what everyone thinks of my BCM's, I have 3 pullets and 1 roo, I had gotten them not listening to the man selling them, at the time I just wanted chickens and they were the only ones I could find at the time. He told me all kinds of stuff and made sure I got a roo, understood I just wanted to add to my flock, but had me save his number for questions in the future. Honestly I thought he was just someone trying to make a buck and selling me his pitch.?.?.? I'm now tossing on to call him now, cause WOW, who would of thought they were so important. I wouldn't want to hurt the breed. I love mine. They are great. O.k.....................................................Here goes my pictures. They are 17 weeks old, give or take a week on that.

His name is Pretty Boy

My girls are hard to get a pic of, they don't like it.

Everyone at 9 weeks old

Girls first week I had them...

 

[cpartist]

Quote:

to BYC and the Marans thread!

Can you give us some more photos, preferably from different angles, and full body shots?
I'm thinking he has a nice, full chest, and pretty good type- hard to tell from this pic since he's
scrunched up and not standing tall. His tail does not appear to be "squirelly" which is when
it is very upright and curves in toward the body. Better pics would help further evaluate the
tailset.

Unlike Illia, I think he has enough coppering, and in the right places-I don't see any on his chest.
It's also the right color coppering, IMO. Straw or light colored hackles look to be a DQ in the
proposed color standard. Color issues should be secondary to body type, regardless.

Regarding the comb: It should follow the shape of the head, with the blade not touching the head.
I found this easy to fix (in another breed), by pairing a roo with a comb like this to a female with the best comb.

You are correct about eye color. I think this is pretty easy to fix by breeding to hens with proper color...
I believe the french translation is "pumpkin".

 

[cpartist]

Quote:
It's tough to evaluate them much before 5-6 months old...even after this they change, but so far...looking good

I'd contact the breeder to establish contact and maybe exchange photos with him. He sounds like a thoughtful person who
would love to talk "chicken". The fact that he offered his phone number says a lot.

You may want to know more about your birds parentage as they grow up....Marans can be addicting!

 

[math ace]

Quote:
The second young man does look much better than the first. . . .

Do you have more pictures ? ? ? Do you have more roos ? ?

 

[math ace]

Quote:

to BYC and the Marans thread!

Can you give us some more photos, preferably from different angles, and full body shots?
I'm thinking he has a nice, full chest, and pretty good type- hard to tell from this pic since he's
scrunched up and not standing tall. His tail does not appear to be "squirelly" which is when
it is very upright and curves in toward the body. Better pics would help further evaluate the
tailset.

Unlike Illia, I think he has enough coppering, and in the right places-I don't see any on his chest.
It's also the right color coppering, IMO. Straw or light colored hackles look to be a DQ in the
proposed color standard. Color issues should be secondary to body type, regardless.

Regarding the comb: It should follow the shape of the head, with the blade not touching the head.
I found this easy to fix (in another breed), by pairing a roo with a comb like this to a female with the best comb.

You are correct about eye color. I think this is pretty easy to fix by breeding to hens with proper color...
I believe the french translation is "pumpkin".

CPARTIST - - This is a WONDERFUL example of POSITIVE critiquing.
The faults are identified, explained, and corrections suggested. . .

This is the kind of post that we can all learn something from.
Thank you cpartist for providing an truthful critique in a SUPPORTIVE manner.
GREAT JOB - - -

 

[cpartist]

Thanks Math

! Now I'm off to feed the chickens