Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[jsjustice7]

This may seem like a stupid question but at what age can you tell for sure if a black or blue marans will be a rooster or pullet? My husband purchased 2 black, blue, and 2 black copper marans pullets. They are about 12 weeks old. One black copper and one blue marans have larger combs and wattles than the others but body shape seems to be the same. I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

 

[Lotsapaints]

Quote:
Don't expect your hatchery girls to lay as dark as some of the ones you'll see on here mine lay maybe a 4 and I culled the others who just laid brown eggs so from 24 hatchery girls I have 2 that lay 4's the rest were not close

the light eggs were about the same color as my Delawares

I need to take some more pictures the ones I hatched out are laying 5's and have been pretty good about laying every day but they are doing a partial molt at 9 months so have slowed down on the eggs mine came from Cackle and McMurray the best ones were McMurray girls....if I hadn't ordered them though I would have never gotten started with better ones....

 

[Debbi]

Quote:

Best way for us to see is by posting some pics

If they are indeed 12 weeks old, you should be able to tell by looking at the combs/wattles, hackle feathers, saddle area color, etc. Not all lines of Marans color out at the same rate though, some take longer than others. Have you heard any crowing yet?? My little boys start at 7-8 weeks of age, but then again, everyone's are different. The other thing to look for is the thickness of the legs, the roos will have a thicker shank. Post some pics if you can.

 

[AyeUpChuck]

I was wondering if anyone could offer any advice on choosing chicks. I've been given first pick of the black coppers I'm going to pick up and was wondering if there was anything super desirable that you could possibly distinguish from chicks that are a few days old? Any advice would be fantastic. These are my first BCMarans chicks so I'm a little novice when it comes to possible strong traits for color etc. Thanks in advance!

 

[sewandgrow]

Quote:
Welcome,
Guessing by your name you must have EasterEggers or Ameraucanas. I have a few hatchery Cuckoo Marans in my layer pen but I don't think they were from Ideal. I have no pictures of their eggs but they are considerably lighter than my Wheaten Marans & Black Copper Marans, but darker than the Buff Orpingtons, Delawares & Black Australorps if that helps at all.

 

[jeb251]

I have found the hardest thing to breed out is white feathers, my fords are pure bev david and they have them, still working on it though

 

[seabreeze]

What about white feathers on the leg shanks? Not in the body of the BCM but on the shank feathers? Thanks!

 

[math ace]

Quote:
I wasn't in on the faux bet - - for sure! All I hatch is cockerels. . . . Pullet - What is that ? Does it mean PULL IT in short hand? ?

 

[blue_egg_lover]

Quote:
Welcome,
Guessing by your name you must have EasterEggers or Ameraucanas. I have a few hatchery Cuckoo Marans in my layer pen but I don't think they were from Ideal. I have no pictures of their eggs but they are considerably lighter than my Wheaten Marans & Black Copper Marans, but darker than the Buff Orpingtons, Delawares & Black Australorps if that helps at all.

We had Ameraucanas growing up as a kid. I really enjoyed them so I am getting them for my kids. We also had Cochins and Polish. So I never had any of those other breeds so I can't really compare. But I am getting a Buff Orpington and 2 Black Australorps. So it will be a learning experience but a fun one

 

[math ace]

Quote:
I would look for things that are considered so bad that they are rated disqualifiers for "Show" quality.

For example:

Legs should be slate.
Legs should be feathered and on the outside of the outer toe - - - NO FEATHERS on any other toes

If they are real young - less than a week, I don't think you will be able to judge anything else.
Make sure what ever you pick looks active and healthy. Don't pick the runt because you feel sorry for it