Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[pinkchick]

Quote:
Sue~
Thanks for more photos! Those hens have lovely copper! He appears to be molting. I like him, nice broad chest, nice comb even though he has a little frostbite, I think he will heal up okay. I wouldn't worry about 4 points, you can work with that if you want to or if you desire. Good feathered shanks, nice copper color, he could get more copper, but I suspect that he may not get too much more. I have grown out several cockerels that were colored like him and they were nice birds, but they just didn't have enough copper for me and what they had was a little too dark, but his copper is a nice tone. A couple of these birds that I grew out finally got more copper, but not much and it took them until they were 1.5 years old. I cannot comment on his tail because I am not sure if it is the way he is standing or if it is the wind as Math Ace suggested, though it looks like he may carry it a little too high..but again you can work with that if you desire, depends on your goals. I think that you have a very nice start and nice overall birds, have fun with them.

 

[pinkchick]

Quote:
dl~
I'm not sure on all of those crosses off the top of my head, I bet Illia would know all of those in a jiffy. Let's see if she pops by, I would answer but am afraid that I would give you misinformation on some of those crosses. Maybe VillageChicken will stop by too, he is a whiz with this stuff too.

 

[pinkchick]

Quote:
Beautiful Dave!

 

[Raven1]

Good Morning everyone

In for another day of lurking and learning!

 

[Debbi]

Mornin' all

Ruth ~ Thank you, and I pray your son comes home soon and healthy too!

Dave ~ BEAUTIFUL EGG!!! Love the color, really love the shape!! More pics of the birds please? Don't be shy!

Roger ~ Thanks so much for your explanations! They really do help me to open my mind, and try to wrap it around these genetics!

 

[flgardengirl]

"Ruth ~ Thank you, and I pray your son comes home soon and healthy too!"
x2

Mathace: Are all your chicks in lockdown BCMs or do you have other kinds as well this time?

Suemuffin, nice start to your flock.

 

[SueMuffin]

1

"I don't see any coloring in his saddle but to be honest I can't make out true saddle feathers. Is it the saddle area that he's loosing his feathers from? "

Yes that is the area where he is loosing his feathers or someone is picking them out. As I said I'm not sure which is happening. It was windy yesterday here, but cant do more pics today as its snow and freezing rain today!! God I love living in the Northeast! NOT. These birds had frostbite when I got them, he had 5 points but the last one at the back of his comb has already fallen off. So I hope he makes good looking offspring. thanks for all the comments and insite, I appreciate them all!! The Roo and 3 of the hens (olive egger included in this) are supposed to be hatched in June of last year, so he is still young? I think. 1 hen is in her second season and laying 1 egg everyother day. So I can't wait to see what color the other 2 start laying. I hope they are dark and not olive!!​

 

[sewandgrow]

Quote:
Beautiful egg Dave.......I can only hope.............LOL
I too do alot of lurking & learning here. I am on line everyday to try to keep up. I also read the Wheaton & Dark egg forums. Soooooooo much to learn.
Karen in Califorbnia

 

[sewandgrow]

Quote:
When your girls resume laying WATCH THEM VERY CAREFULLY. . . Every 30 minutes for a week ( if possible).
I did this when I was collecting eggs for my first hatching and discovered that one of my hens NEVER EVER LAYS.
I have another who lays seldomly - - like 2 eggs a week. Then I have two hens that lay 5 or 6 days a week.

So, was getting on average 3 or 4 eggs a week per hen, but I had two duds and two highly productive marans. It is possible that one of your girls is doing MOST of the work and the other is a SLACKER. Breed only the worker.

Geebs and Pink both had an issue with an egg eater. . . So that could be a problem too.

As far as egg color goes, line breeding should help improve that. My girls don't lay super dark eggs BUT THEY ARE HUGE JUMBO eggs. I have seen others with eggs that are darker, but smaller. I really like to have a carton full of eggs that are so BIG that the lid won't shut - - - I am all over that

Lisa,
I really like big eggs too....come to think of it I like everything big.....LOL. That's why I lean towards Bev Davis lines (plus I hear from a friend she is so nice herself). Beggars can't be choosers though & I take what I can get at this point. I will try to watch the girls more closely but I think they were both laying. One a lighter speckled egg & the other alittle darker & not so speckled. The size was okay too.
This spring should be exciting with all the news coming on board.

 

[Ivywoods]

I like the large eggs and large birds and dark eggs. All my BCM's are Wade Jeane line. Once I get to the point that I want to bring in different blood, I think I will introduce a Davis rooster.......maybe.... time will tell.