Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote:
I feel like I did when I started university! All these "experienced" folks around me speaking a language I don't understand. "V"s and "U"s and "cushions" and "sports". I won't even start with the genetic stuff. Oy. I feel like I don't deserve to own purebred birds since I have no clue what they're supposed to look like - especially if they're nice ones. I look forward to the day when I comprehend even half of what you guys are discussing!!!! I have some serious learnin' to do!

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
I feel like I did when I started university! All these "experienced" folks around me speaking a language I don't understand. "V"s and "U"s and "cushions" and "sports". I won't even start with the genetic stuff. Oy. I feel like I don't deserve to own purebred birds since I have no clue what they're supposed to look like - especially if they're nice ones. I look forward to the day when I comprehend even half of what you guys are discussing!!!! I have some serious learnin' to do!

No better place to get an education on Marans than right here and it is free. Ask all the question you have

 

[sabella]

Thanks to this thread I now know more about Marans than my friend who has had them for years!!!

And Snowbird, you made my day!! I'm stuck on the couch with a sprained ankle and was feeling very sorry for myself. Thanks for cheering me up!!

 

[Wynette]

Thanks, Don - so that Brahma pictured may not be a good example of a Brahma, but if we are looking at it as merely an example of a "U" shaped tail - is this what you feel we are looking for in a Marans? I understand what you say about not breeding to a distinct "V" shape, as that may end up becoming a pinched tail. So...if we breed with an eye toward a "U" shaped tail, then...we eliminate the pinch? Yes?

Does anyone have a picture (I don't care WHAT breed it is - just want to see an example) of what Don is speaking of as far as a "small U" shape?

How is the length and width of back affecting the tails - I am assuming that a smaller bird with a narrower back = possibility of pinched tail? Or am I asking wrong...hmm....so, are the changes of a larger/broader hen having a pinched tail less?

Barngoddess - I feel like that every time I come to this thread, so no worries!

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote:
Unfortunately, I'm still at the point where I don't even know the questions I should be asking!

But I'll keep reading. I know from past experience, I'll get there if I keep reading. (I'm also part of the club that believes you should be brutally honest with us even if we might not like hearing what you have to say. We have no hope of learning the right way if you don't correct us.)

 

[snowbird]

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Wynette, I would recommend that you look at a plymouth Rock and make allowances for a longer tail. So many of our Marans are showing the Penne influence with the long tail sickles and the V shaped pinched tail that it is scary. I assure you that I have some pinched V-shape female in my Marans.

What I am really saying is that we have to open up the tail feathering or all we are going to have is a bunch of Game looking female that will bw basically eliminated in the show. I believe the chances of a broader Chest and back bird having a pinched tail is very unlikely. By broad back we want it to be broad all the way to the tail. I believe the shorter back fowl will be more prone to higher than wanted tail set.

 

[geebs]

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...=LszaTbKWKZKisAOM3diEDA&sqi=2&ved=0CCkQ9QEwAQ

And here is a picture of a show winning plymouth rock... I am still seeing that it doesn't fit into the "outline". Does anyone have a picture...?
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...age=1&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:0&tx=129&ty=57


Here is a better example of a brahma hen. (bantam) I worry that the fluffiness that is necessary (or appears to be) to have a good tail with a "u" formation will give a loose feather presentation like you see in this picture. I posted a better specimen because the idea seems to have gotten lost for having put such a substandard example up. Is there a way to get a "u" presentation and still maintain tight feathering in marans? I do understand the not wanting a narrow bird so I have concentrated my effort (just for my yard) with a longer and wider back... I will be watching for the rear view from now on. There are so many things to watch for!!! Again thanks Don for bringing up yet another point of finery... always looking to better things.

If anyone has an example of a marans with a more open tail I would really like to see one... maybe we could have a "tush show"!!!! Show your best backsides!!!!

I found this site about Rocks.. there is also a thread on them here on this forum http://showbirdbid.com/coppermine/rockclub/displayimage.php?album=11&pos=17

So what is the strategy to opening up the tail without losing the "topline" or sillouette? http://www.marans.eu/silhangl.htm

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
Jan, I am just saying the tail should be open. I believe we can open the tail without going to extreme with it . I plan on taking the fluffyiest tail male I raise this year and do a test on the female I have at present. One thing for certain we must open up the main tail regardless of U or V. We had a discussion before and it might of been on the yahoo forum but no one seemed to know what to do to correct the problem. I know we did talk some on BYC because I remember Walt leonard was involved . Some opinions would be appreciated

 

[snowbird]

If anyone wants to see a good U-shape brahma go to the Brahma thread at look at the bantams my friend Tim has. We would not want to go to the width of the Brahma though, just an example.

 

[geebs]

Yes I remember us discussing it.. I cannot remember the result of the conversation. So what is your opinion on the tail of my hen??? Is it Pinched... I have ended up with hens that have a gap also.. (rehomed of course) but that seems to be the swing of the pendulum. My hens with the fluffiness that were short backed I had to cross on a longer backed male to get rid of so much body (like Breck shampoo here). Otherwise they seemed to slope the wrong way.... I have yet to come up with something that doesn't have a "V" presentation so I am struggling for visuals...