Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Debbi]

Quote:
Yes, Clyde, my avatar, has very good leg/toe feathering! Feathering on the middle toe is a big no-no.

 

[Cadeau]

Thanks!!
That's GREAT news!

He's nearly 8mths old.



How can you tell if a hen has a nice comb??
Are we still aiming for 5 points??

I think I'll have to wait a bit for my pullets to grow some!!

 

[flgardengirl]

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I don't know but I saw that roo in person at Newnan and I took a pic of him he was so pretty

I believe this is the same roo as in the ad.

 

[geebs]

Cadeau... I wouldn't hesitate to use him... Not for a second... You have scored... Go through the thread and look at what ppl are using for breeding and then take a grated apple or other treat out to your boy... WHat is his name??

 

[Cadeau]

How big of a no-no? Like cull?

or breed to girls who need more/thicker feathers?

 

[geebs]

Huh? rephrase using more words... I don't understand... are we talking feathers on feet... The standard calls for sparse feathering... If there is a line down the shank on the outer toe.. Good enough..

Girls with no feathers are culled and sold as chocolate egger here...not marans... and to the city folks that can't have roosters.

 

[Debbi]

Quote:
NO! I sure wouldn't cull him based only on that. Breed to sparse or correctly feathered hens. Are you sure it is actually on the middle toe, or is it lapping over from the outside toe? He has too much else going on for him. And yes, the hens should have a 5 point comb as well.

 

[Bravo]

Quote:
So funny! My husband was threatening to use a bark collar I bought for one of my Yorkies. He's 5 lbs so it would be a perfect fit for an onry roo--but how would you hook it on to their neck? I think the ones that shoot condensed air would probably work better.

 

[geebs]

If it is a little piece of fluff... or one feather... I wouldn't worry too much... are you planning to show him??? or breed him??? If you are using him as part of recipe (like making a cake) you wouldn't show a bag of gold medal flour and want graded on a cake now would you??? There are other factors.

I would show him the soup pot... if behaviour continues... he gets a close up and personal look.

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
If I had your male and he had feathered middle toe I would cull from breeding. If you breed this you will only have more in the future. If you just want chickens for the backyard and never intend to sell eggs or show it would not make any difference. The only problem would be later if you decided to raise something to the SOP.

At 8 mo. your male also appears to have a narrow back and a comb with a thumbprint. Don