Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Dixiedoodle]

I posted a picture of my pullets a few weeks ago.. Some one mentioned they had white ears... They are 23 weeks old and the one that looks more mature (getting darker pink comb and wattle) now has pale pink earlobes... They less mature (no pink/color in her comb and wattle) still has pale grey earlobes...

But I have a question about feather colors! Their feathers are so black that they look green/beetle colored--Is this a fault? I will not be showing these girls but would like to learn more about the breed..

Thank you

 

[Debbi]

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Good question! The proposed SOP used to say, "hens may have the beetle green sheen, but is not necessary". Just went to the MMCU, and now all it says is black. So, is the beetle now a fault in pullet and hens??? I LIKE my beetles!

 

[bigspringshatchery]

Does anyone have any french bcm chicks for sale. I have 2 three week old and some eggs on the bator and only 4 is formed and lock down is sat. So I might be looking for some more. The ones I got are wade jeane. Pls pm me if you do so I can make my mind up. Would like good quality and egg color from parents.

 

[math ace]

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Oh Don't get me started on this one . . . .$10 per egg - - - That would be such a BARGIN ! ! !

SOLD immediately - - - anybody got them ? ?

OK - - I am moving on to RUTH's POST next . . .

PRICING on "SHOW QUALITY" birds normally come at a premium . . .
There is cheap hatchery - - -not show quality.
Then who out there has traveled hundreds of miles to pick up a pair of great breeders or some young chicks that came from good parents ? ? ?

NEITHER of these events bother me.

PAYING TOP DOLLAR FOR JUNK THAT HAS DQ ISSUES - - Now that breaks my heart and spirit.

EVEN doing the RESEARCH - - - It STILL Happens.

I do and will sell my culls for the price of a barnyard mix bird. Show quality birds should sell for more - - that only makes sense.

 

[math ace]

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x2, I LOVE the beetle green sheen ! I hope it is not a fault . . . . .

 

[sewandgrow]

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And that is probably exactly where I belong. How I ever thought I could learn all of this and then actually do anything about it is beyond me.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

 

[sewandgrow]

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Gorgeous. gorgeous. gorgeous..Now that's what I'm talkin about!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Illia]

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Very nice flock and eggs.

 

[Organics North]

Oh boy lots of reading, interesting discussion..

Here is my two cents:
1. I have a problem with people selling really expensive "show quality breeding" stock that does not breed anywhere neat to true, and are not honest and disclosing about the facts.
2. Yes egg color defines Marans just like Ameraucana.. IMO this makes breeding birds for physical perfection all the more challenging. Because without the egg color what is the point?

(It can be done though, IMO top breeders of Ameraucana produce a fair amount of quality birds that have decent egg color.)

I honestly do not know what to do.. Why I am I working with solid blue's?? My worst looking bird (A BC with yellow feet lays) the darkest egg so far. Her faults are so bad, I doubt I will breed her even though I never intend to show... I only want birds that lay lots of 5+ ++eggs. Yet I want to produce birds that look something like they should..

Oh so confused.

Points on both side of this debate are highly plausible to me.

ON

 

[sewchick]

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Your eggs are very dark. Gorgeous flock. Good luck at the show.