Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[southpaw52]

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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 ......​

New Hatcher, Welcome to the site. I, like you are fairly new and with much to learn. My experience on here is limited, but has always been positive. The terms and such thrown around are "common" to many, new to some of us. I learn something everyday that will help me in how I manage my little flock. I got into Marans because I wanted three more hens and the seller I found had two Marans and a Cochin! As I read more on here I realized that now that I have them it is only fair to learn more and try to "do right" by the breed as to standards. I'm not looking to show, but have Granddaughters that might. I will be watching and learning with you!! Again, Welcome. And keep asking those questions!!​

 

[Keara]

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Wynette,

I don't know if it's the pic or what, but he looks to me like he has a short, stocky neck too. Maybe it's the way he's standing? Afterall, you've had him in your hands, so you would know!

Wynette, Will give you my take on a Marans with a flat back on the Male. If you have a nice broad chested bird with broad back this will lower the front end a little causing the back to level off some. The proposed Standard only calls for the back to have a slight incline from the top of the shoulders. On the length of neck the standard only calls for a medium length, here again if the front is developed it will drop a small amount causing the neck to look short.
If the male does not have white in tail or wing or neck undercolor I would be glad to have one like him to use with my females. A test mating would show real quick if he was going to transfer anything.

Well I checked my roo "Frodo" last night, and found no white feathering/undercoat, tail , wing or, under hackles. I did find one feather on one foot that was white at the tip but black at the base.

So I guess I will hatch some of his eggs once his girls have been laying for a bit.

-Keara

 

[Debbi]

Keara

I'd sure have to give him a try! If you don't like the outcome, you just don't use him in the future. All birds have faults, you have to weigh the good and the bad and go from there. I think he has a lot of good points.

 

[pinkchick]

You know friends I have been giving something alot of thought, I'm agree whole heartedly with Monique, I am done worrying about "whose line is it anyway." Monique, Thank you for helping set me free!

I can and always will have Bev's line (Bev's birds are the whole reason I have Marans and decided to stick with them after trying other breeders birds "lines") and I can close the flock up again anytime and breed just those birds if I want more..........but I am going to throw caution to the wind and live on the edge, you know, drink milk that expired yesterday, write with a pen before purchasing it and for dang sure I'm tearing that blasted tag off the pillow that says do not remove.

Assuredly I will make mistakes along the way but, I know all of you, my Marans friends will be there to set me straight and help out.

Now.....what to call them?

 

[Keara]

Quote:
Debbi,

Thanks.... you guys are a tough crowd and I think it is great! I tell you, at first I could have cared less about breed standards, I just wanted a good dual use bird. But after coming across this thread I have become infected with you all's passion for this breed.

I'll let you know how it goes. Guess it's time to buy a notebook and some leg bands so I can keep track of what I'm doing.

-Keara

 

[Wynette]

Quote:
Debbi,

Thanks.... you guys are a tough crowd and I think it is great! I tell you, at first I could have cared less about breed standards, I just wanted a good dual use bird. But after coming across this thread I have become infected with you all's passion for this breed.

I'll let you know how it goes. Guess it's time to buy a notebook and some leg bands so I can keep track of what I'm doing.

-Keara

Keara, so glad to hear it! Yep - keep records, make notes on anything you see...things that may seem miniscule now could prove helpful in the future! Did you post pics of your girls? Maybe we can help you choose a perfect fit for your boy!

 

[Raven1]

Pink those chicks of yours are adorable!

I love the blues too! So cute cute makes me want to hatch, hatch, hatch.

My DH hates to see the bators come out again, but hey I never understand why I ever put them up!

The brand new babies are so wonderful because they all have the chance to be !THE ONE!

 

[Debbi]

Quote:

Will have to think on your line name

"Blue Heaven"??

 

[New Hatcher]

Thank you all for the info and encouragement it brought my hopes back up that I'm still on the right track all though have much to learn. So I may not post for a bit but I'll be lurking in the back ground until I have something to ask or say.
The perch I will fix for sure, I was wondering why no one used it. They all go for the higher and wider ones on the top. I'll fix the lower one because the cold is starting already here

Thanks again

 

[pinkchick]

Quote:
Debbi,

Thanks.... you guys are a tough crowd and I think it is great! I tell you, at first I could have cared less about breed standards, I just wanted a good dual use bird. But after coming across this thread I have become infected with you all's passion for this breed.

I'll let you know how it goes. Guess it's time to buy a notebook and some leg bands so I can keep track of what I'm doing.

-Keara

Keara~ That's the spirit girl! Give it a try! You have nothing to loose and a nice boy to start with. Most importantly remember to have FUN with them and enjoy them on your journey.