Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Wynette]

Quote:
Walt, in my very last batch I incubated, of the thousands of chicks I've hatched, I never had a bad one...until this last batch. I always candle first to find small cracks. This time, I was just uber busy, and didn't candle. Of course, by about day 10...started smelling funkiness. The odd thing was that to me, it didn't smell like a rotten egg, it smelled much like cooked broccoli! So, I don't know if my senses are getting messed up or what!

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
Walt, in my very last batch I incubated, of the thousands of chicks I've hatched, I never had a bad one...until this last batch. I always candle first to find small cracks. This time, I was just uber busy, and didn't candle. Of course, by about day 10...started smelling funkiness. The odd thing was that to me, it didn't smell like a rotten egg, it smelled much like cooked broccoli! So, I don't know if my senses are getting messed up or what!

How on earth are you cooking your broccoli Wynette?!?!

 

[math ace]

WELL

Saturday is day 10 and I will candle for the first time then. So far, there have been no foul ( fowl

) smells or brocolli smells coming out of my homemade incubator . . .. .

BUT should I start to smell brocolli,

, I'll know where and what to look for !

OK, enough JOKES, here are my dear roo's feet. CHECK them out and let me know - - sparsley or heavily footed ? ?

 

[pinkchick]

Math~

I love the amount of feathering he has......that is just right IMO. I would not classify that as heavy.

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
The outer toe is supposed to be feathered lightly all the way to the end, I see very little on the toe but in my limited experience I might be wrong.

 

[pinkchick]

It is my understanding that they may or may not have feathering on the outer toe/s. I have several birds that do not have feathering on the outer toe, that is what I prefer and what I breed for, but I am not opposed to a bird that does have light feathering on the toe.

 

[chicmom]

Oh you guys are making my head spin regarding the Wheaten Marans. I'm new to this, and I just love the beautiful eggs. When I saw the Wheatens, I just thought, "Wow! Beautiful!" Sooooo I have two pullets that are ready to lay anytime now, and I'm going to pick up a rooster shortly. I'd like to have a breeding trio for spring, but to be honest, in reading your posts, it seems very very complicated. I guess I'll have to study, and research ALOT.

My two pullets are a Davis/Teasdale (spelling might not be correct) cross. I just need to pick up a rooster.

Any kind advice for a newby would be extremely appreciated,

Sincerely,
Sharon

 

[math ace]

Quote:
Snowbird - - who you kidding ? ? ? Your experience is not limited. . . After all your culls, you still have MORE birds than I have ever owned . . .. I am truly the one with limited experience ! My count for MARANS is 4 hens and 1 roo, that is truly limited experience. Do I still get to count them as hens if they refuse to lay eggs ? ? ?

Two of my blue coppers are still on strike and that is with cooler weather, increased protein, AND artifical light !

I will go look closely at my roos outer toe. I know he has some missing feathers. There are little marks where the feather was . . .
I will report back !

In the meantime, I am uploading full body shots of him. He has his faults - - no doubt. However, until something better comes along - - he is all I have to work with. I am hoping to improve the next generation. I am hoping to produce a son that might be better than the daddy is . .

Give me a few minutes and I will post the pics.

Snowbird, do you think I will get to see some pics of your remaining stock soon ? ? ? We've talk about all the culls you've made. I really would like to see what you have left to work with, but if you are busy - - I understand.

 

[coq au vin]

Quote:
This is my understanding as well. And my preference as well.

 

[math ace]

Quote:
Maybe we can get Walt or Bev to clarify this for us . . . .

Oh WALT are you trolling this thread ?? ? ? ?

BEV - - WHERE are YOU ? ?

Come speak to us mighty wise ones !