Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[AyeUpChuck]

Oh speaking of beautiful boys! Pink I was wondering if you need a Splash cockerel. I'm guessing not but since I got him from you I thought I'd offer first refusal. He's going to be GORGEOUS! I just have too many boys and if someone wants him I'd rather him not go to freezer camp as he's SO sweet! Let me know! and

back atcha lady!

 

[susanbird]

Hi, I am fairly new to BYC and completely new to Marans. I was interested in the dark colored eggs and when the feed store had some Cuckoo pullets (4) I bought them. Then I decided that I wanted a rooster but could not find a local Cuckoo (well, other than me being cuckoo). So, I finally found some Black Copper Marans cockerels for sale and got two of them.

Well, of course just today someone local has both Black Copper Marans pullets and cockerels for sale. Her ad says " FROM THE WADE JEAN LINE. THEY WERE HATCHED FROM VERY DARK CHOCOLATE COLORED EGGS." When I spoke to the lady she said to check under my 2 cockerels' wings for any white feathers--that is a defect.

I didn't have to look under the wings I can see the white feathers with them standing upright.

Should the Black Copper Marans have no white feathers at all?

Also, of the 2 cockerels that I have bought one has feathered legs and the other one does not. That lady I got them from said these were hatched from eggs that she ordered. I didn't ask where she got the eggs.

When I get the two pullets tomorrow should I pay attention to the legs for feathers or not? Does it really matter or is it a matter of preference.

If I decide to get a couple of her cockerels would feathered or unfeathered legs be better? I read a site that said there are English and French BCM.

Since I am paying more than the average (in my estimation) for the pullets what would be best to look for?

The Marans will be purely for my enjoyment and the fun of having "a bird of a different feather".

Any ideas or suggestions will be most appreciated.
Susan

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
Susan, Will try and help. First the BC marans should not have any white feathers. The shanks should be feathered. Now if breeding to the APA SOP is not your cup of tea, get what you like most.

I would look at some of the pictured here lately and get a general idea of what to look for when buying. If you are paying very much for the birds I would not buy until you get a general idea of what to look for and a lot depends on age. If they are younger than five months the white will usually disappear at molt.

 

[geebs]

Math Ace writes:

- Love the girls that need a "WIDE LOAD" sign on their behind! LOL

I can hear the song in my head.... I like big butts and I cannot lie..... etc... (ya your not alone with that mantra).... Totally like the low-ridin' wide totin' fluffy 'junk in the trunk' booties....

Math... we need to have a thread for showing the "full monty" from behind... Show off your best bloomers!!!​

 

[AyeUpChuck]

Quote:
I can hear the song in my head.... I like big butts and I cannot lie..... etc... (ya your not alone with that mantra).... Totally like the low-ridin' wide totin' fluffy 'junk in the trunk' booties....

Math... we need to have a thread for showing the "full monty" from behind... Show off your best bloomers!!!

That would be fabulous! I've got a few girls that would totally fit that bill!

 

[Zanna]

Hi everyone, it has been a while since I have posted, summers are super busy. I am still trying to work with the BCM. I have a lovely roo, 7 months old now and still no girlfriends for him. I got youngsters this Spring/Summer from Illia, Marquisella and Bethel Plantation. Had a predator attack and lost ALL of the Bethel babies at 6 weeks old, problem has been solved and the Skunk has met his maker...........He killed all that were on the ground still and not roosting yet. I have lost several other young Marans, 3-5 months old due to a problem I wonder if anyone else has had. The birds look great, pooping normal, etc. They start gradually losing weight, getting more lethargic, eventually stop eating then die. No outward symptoms of any kind. I have lost 4 Marans this way and have another one early on in this process. It takes about 3 -5 weeks for them to die. I have tried turmeric in feed, DE, yogurt, eggs, probiotic, worming, etc. The current hen is beautiful, 5 months old (from Illia). My dilemma is that I want her to live but would I want to breed her anyways if she has some type of weakness? I want to breed tough, hardy birds but my luck has been so bad, I am tempted to try to rehab her and if she makes it breed her to my roo. Any thoughts? Anyone else experience anything like this? I lost a Delaware by this gradual wasting away earlier this year but other than that it just seems to be the Marans. I have several other breeds and have had for many years but only want to breed the Marans and the Dels and I can't seem to keep these Marans alive

 

[susanbird]

Quote:
Susan, Will try and help. First the BC marans should not have any white feathers. The shanks should be feathered. Now if breeding to the APA SOP is not your cup of tea, get what you like most.

I would look at some of the pictured here lately and get a general idea of what to look for when buying. If you are paying very much for the birds I would not buy until you get a general idea of what to look for and a lot depends on age. If they are younger than five months the white will usually disappear at molt.

Hi Don,

The cockerels I have are 4 1/2 months or so. About the same age as the Cuckoos. I did look at some of the pictures--a beautiful bird

I don't know what APA SOP is? I am thinking that it has to do with the standards for showing? I seriously doubt I will be doing that; but, even so would like to get as good a type as possible. The lady said that I would have first choice tomorrow. Her mother lives an hour or so away so she is bringing the birds to town (10 miles from me) to be sold. I don't know how many there will be to choose from.

I have no real preference for clean or feathered shanks. Each of the boys are handsome to me The lady had some 8 mos olds that I thought were absolutely gorgeous but I wanted birds closer in age to mine. I will post pictures of them and maybe you can critique them for me.

Thanks for the info. Susan

 

[susanbird]

Quote:
Susan, Will try and help. First the BC marans should not have any white feathers. The shanks should be feathered. Now if breeding to the APA SOP is not your cup of tea, get what you like most.

I would look at some of the pictured here lately and get a general idea of what to look for when buying. If you are paying very much for the birds I would not buy until you get a general idea of what to look for and a lot depends on age. If they are younger than five months the white will usually disappear at molt.

Hi Don,

The cockerels I have are 4 1/2 months or so. About the same age as the Cuckoos. I did look at some of the pictures--a beautiful bird

I don't know what APA SOP is? I am thinking that it has to do with the standards for showing? I seriously doubt I will be doing that; but, even so would like to get as good a type as possible. The lady said that I would have first choice tomorrow. Her mother lives an hour or so away so she is bringing the birds to town (10 miles from me) to be sold. I don't know how many there will be to choose from.

I have no real preference for clean or feathered shanks. Each of the boys are handsome to me The lady had some 8 mos olds that I thought were absolutely gorgeous but I wanted birds closer in age to mine. I will post pictures of them and maybe you can critique them for me.

Thanks for the info. Susan

Sorry Snowbird, I have no idea where I got the name Don from .

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
Hi Don,

The cockerels I have are 4 1/2 months or so. About the same age as the Cuckoos. I did look at some of the pictures--a beautiful bird

I don't know what APA SOP is? I am thinking that it has to do with the standards for showing? I seriously doubt I will be doing that; but, even so would like to get as good a type as possible. The lady said that I would have first choice tomorrow. Her mother lives an hour or so away so she is bringing the birds to town (10 miles from me) to be sold. I don't know how many there will be to choose from.

I have no real preference for clean or feathered shanks. Each of the boys are handsome to me The lady had some 8 mos olds that I thought were absolutely gorgeous but I wanted birds closer in age to mine. I will post pictures of them and maybe you can critique them for me.

Thanks for the info. Susan

Sorry Snowbird, I have no idea where I got the name Don from .

Don is correct. When you go look at the Marans pick them up and look and make sure there are no problems with the Comb like a side sprig" small point on side of comb" if they do pass them on by as that is a DQ and you sure do not want that in your new flock. Good luck, Don

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
Hey Lisa, that first pullet sure does have a short back doesn't she ? Don