Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[geebs]

I agree wholeheartedly with Debbi and Math Ace.... Why would one cheat.... I couldn't live with myself... Everytime I looked that the winning ribbon or trophey a guilt pang would sicken me... I guess some ppl don't get those pangs of morality... I don't quite understand the point of cheating.... (I mean this seriously).... I don't get why one would cheat or fake a bird. There are plenty of ways to have nice birds... If a cheater beat me... I wouldn't exactly feel beat really

 

[pinkchick]

You guys don't stand alone....I don't agree with it either but it is going to be done, to each his own if you will.

 

[geebs]

I think showing in general can get toooo competitive... there is healthy competition... Chicken knowledge is a fair competition..you either know... or you don't. Showmanship also.

 

[snowbird]

Well I do not have the showing experience of some on the thread but the MCCUSA does not want people at this point in time out there showing just any thing that looks like the Marans. Until after they are approved the garbage should stay home and enjoy them there. At the feb. Marans approval show if you do not have top notch Marans leave them at home. A high percentage have to be uniform for them to be approved.

Just for everyones info. if you pull a wing or tail feather before a show for being white the bird will be DQ because a missing feather is easy for a judge to spot. This is all covered in the cutting for defects. I can see where very few here have any knowledge of showing poultry.

 

[geebs]

Well right wrong or or indifferent... I am going to my first APA show snowbird... any suggestions... I will bring the best of what I have and get a quality education. It will be the first show for me... I do feel it is important to get the birds shown for the APA approval so I am jumping in to help the process.

I agree...with you... I am leaving the ugly ones at home... (I think

)

Linkedem My opinions are mine... that is all I have to say... They are welcome here as yours are... Let me be. There is overkill in everything in my opinion.... Everything in moderation... right Kathy??? (I know you are out there)

 

[pinkchick]

One of todays little Blue Coppers gems, I think I am going to add this one to the collection for the 'bator.

 

[snowbird]

geebs, showing is not a lot of work if you make it a fun thing to do. They will look better if you wash them, but I usually just wash off the head and feet with a warm soapy rag and dry. I use Vaseline on the head and feet and wipe it off. Do not put too much on the feet as it will make them greasy with the feathers. Trim all toe nails and file them to where they look good, file the beak and round it off I would imagine your birds are gentle already. If not lock them up in a cage for couple of hours a day. About five days is about right for washing the Marans. If you have any questions just let me know.

 

[math ace]

snowbird,

why do you file the beak ? ? Will it hurt them ? ?

Did you mean you cage them for 5 days before the show ? ? If so, why ?? Why not just clean them up the day before ? ?


SPEAKING OF PULLING THE WHITE WING FEATHER,

My sweet roo is about 6 - 7 months old. I have not seen him molt. My other birds are just starting a light molt and they are a little older than he is. It was suggested that I pull it out and see what the new one grows in as . . . HERE is the question . . .

1.) Would the feather grow in BEFORE the next molt ? ?

2.) Is there a benefit to pulling it now versus just waiting till the next molt ? ?

 

[math ace]

Quote:
Pink - - - what level of darkness do you consider the middle egg ? ?

If your picture is true to color, that is the shade that my marans are laying. I think it is around a 4, BUT I DON'T KNOW - - what do you think ? ? ?

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
You should file the beak to even up the top and bottom, just file the top off a little as it is usually longer.

You should start caging them at least two weeks before the show fo a couple of hours.

If you are giving a bath it should be at least five days before for the Marans. This gives them time to preen the feathers and replenish the oils.

Just wait a little longer and see if the male goes into a molt, the others will fall out even if you do pull the one out.