Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[snowbird]

Walt, if you have time could you comment on the tail shape of the Marans female that we have here in the USA ? The proposed standard says " Full, rather short, moderately well spread" French standard says "main tail feathers well closed" I realize there are some that are breeding to the French standard and will have the female with the pointed tail. How much of a deduction will there be for the female with the pointed and closed tail ? Also how much deduction for the more fan tail, with pinched tail. Thanks, for your time.

 

[snowbird]

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I agree with Blackdotte, this male has white earlobes and his comb is also riding on his neck.

 

[pinkchick]

You ROCK Debbi!!!!!!!!!!!!! It worked! THANK YOU!

Here are just a few photos of the lightest colored chickies. I will get some better pics of these guys and I need to get pics of the darker blues for ya.

 

[New Hatcher]

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It indicative of Penedesenca blood in the mix, right?

Nothing wrong with having a flock of awesome dark layers with every fault imaginable though.

Ok Like I said I'm really new to the Marans breed so can I get an explanation on the "Penedesenca blood" thing please ??I really have know idea what that is. If he is good for fathering Barnyard beauties thats fine for me, I just might have to burst the bubble of the guy I bought him from, he's selling his roos all over the country side.

That branch, is that the perch they sleep on? If so, it's a bit on the narrow side.

Yes it is it is also the first one I built, I'll switch it out with a wider one today. I had read that natural perches where better than 2X4's has anyone read that as well?

New Hatcher ~ Hello, and welcome to the thread! I'm not sure his ear lobe is white, to me, it looks like the flash of the camera may have washed it out. Look at his saddle feathers, you see the glare that makes the feathers look white. So, new hatcher, what color are his ear lobes? Does he have shank/toe feathering? I think he is a nice boy, and should fill out more as he ages.

Try to get a better, full profile and frontal pic of him, in the natural sunlight.

So I went out this morning to check his ear lobs. He has little bits of flecks of whit in his skin one side has more than the other.

He has feathering on his shanks and toes ( though the hens had a bought of feather picking so they are growing back now) Is the white ear thing something I can try and breed out of the line?? Is it the same for the hens and all colours of Marans? I would like to have a good layer flock so I guess he could help me build that. I don't want to sell chickens that aren't going to help the breed. I'll read through this thread and learn more of the standard.

Thank you all for the help not what I was hoping to hear but if I didn't want the bad as well as the good I wouldn't have asked

Edited to say : and now Neck riding combs! What have I gotten my self into Man I have a lot to learn. Where is the comb supposed to stop on his head Is there a place I can find a photo of a close to perfect roo to look at? I know this is all pretty amateur for you guys but ......​

 

[Debbi]

Pink, Atta girl! What little beauties they are!! That one is very light blue? Are these Gnarles' kids?

 

[Wynette]

New Hatcher - see how the comb sort of hangs out there in space on the back part?

Don't worry...we are ALL here to learn! Your boy is absolutely GORGEOUS for a backyard flock master!

YOU will be "one up" on the person you got him from, as it sounds like that person may not have found our thread!

 

[Debbi]

New Hatcher,

The Penedesenca is a breed of chicken that some people crossed into their Marans lines, I guess, in hopes of improving egg color. The Penes have a white ear lobe, so that would indicate their genes present in your roo.

How old is he?

The "blade" of the comb, the fat part towards the back of the head, should not rest on the neck, but should stand off of the neck/head. His looks to be sitting on his neck.

I also agree that perch is way too small. The idea of using a 2x4, with the large side up, is so they can cover their feet in the cold weather, with their feathers. I would surely bet you get some ugly cold up there in Alberta!

 

[pinkchick]

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Thanks! I will get photos of Gnarles' and Bills' babies seperated for you. I got 3 very light blues and 2 darker blues. 2 light blues and 1 darker blue from Bill and a light blue and a darker blue from Gnarles. All three of the lighter blues are very light blue, just can't seem to get a photo to show the color accurately, but the 1st and 2nd photos are pretty darn close. In that first photo the darkest chick that looks black is really a very dark blue........any guesses who this little babies grand-daddy is ???

 

[pinkchick]

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Agreed!

New Hatcher!

He is a pretty boy....I love his blue color!

 

[Debbi]

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Thanks! I will get photos of Gnarles' and Bills' babies seperated for you. I got 3 very light blues and 2 darker blues. 2 light blues and 1 darker blue from Bill and a light blue and a darker blue from Gnarles. All three of the lighter blues are very light blue, just can't seem to get a photo to show the color accurately, but the 1st and 2nd photos are pretty darn close. In that first photo the darkest chick that looks black is really a very dark blue........any guesses who this little babies grand-daddy is ???

Hmmmm, let me guess...Bill????????