Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[pinkchick]

Thanks Ladies! I so hope more of them hatch.

 

[stoopid]

Quote:
OOH, He's sexy!

 

[gilavina]

Quote:
haha I bet Mel is a hoot...is he teaching el suave lessons over there for roosters? Like a modeling agency for poultry? haha

All this reading on here about the carnations has made me seriously consider starting running a closed flock because I've escaped it so far. I plan on doing some serious test mating in the spring with the different batches of eggs from different people to test them out first before using them in a program. I do have a couple of orders lined up with people this next spring that I'm not worried about as I know that I can ask any questions I need and know they will give it to me straight. I will be on high alert here for sure. I just don't want to be stupid and think that the carnation problem won't ever affect me. The only way I will know is to test mate all my birds and keep a close eye. I am praying I don't have it lurking anywhere. You'd think if it was it would show itself in the offspring as I've tried thus far to keep lines of birds together...so if the gene was lurking it would come out, no? I have been lucky enough to not have any side sprigs yet either...i don't know how the more severe comb issues have missed me thus far, but you can be certain I will be sussing out this whole situation here to make sure.

And yes...I certainly will keep after you about the carnation comb info! I want to be as well read on it as possible.

 

[gilavina]

Quote:
lovely!

how many eggs do you usually let your girls have at any given time? That splash girl of mine is being a royal pain and stealing any eggs she can find. I know where some girls have a secret nest in with my pygmies out in their pasture and she's gone in there and stolen eggs cause that's the only place the ameraucanas lay....she did some serious work to get a couple of those eggs in there...and she's stealing dorking eggs...what a turd. I took 6 eggs away from her and even at that she still has 15 eggs. I tried finding the lightest marans eggs in there to take away, but they are all so dark...the darkest batch of eggs I've ever had, so I just can't seem to pull any more than the 6 I did pull....

 

[pinkchick]

Quote:
Ding, ding, ding ,ding!!! Right you are sir! That's what I've been saying all along; more folks have this problem than they are ready to admit, and I don't care WHO they are, who they think they are, or who their daddy is! The man and his wife that I got my initial birds from, is still selling them on ebay. None of the birds on his site or on ebay had a carnation showing, he chose his pics carefully, no doubt. I think people are now realizing that since the BCMs have been APA approved, that now is the time to pay a bit more attention to the DQs! But guys like these on ebay, don't show, and don't care; as long as they are making money off of uninformed consumers. Hell, they probably don't even know themselves!

As far as reporting him to ebay, that would be an effort in futility. They don't give a rat's arse, they are making money too, and both of these people have decent feedback. Like it was said, feedback is given for receiving undamaged eggs in a timely manner; NOT by the number that hatch, or what they look like down the road. Goddess, sellers cannot leave negative feedback for the buyers, they changed that a couple of years ago. The seller may choose to not leave you any feedback, or leave a positive and make a nasty comment, but they cannot leave you a negative! Once you, the buyer, has paid, you have held up to your part of the bargain.

I agree with Wynette, this bird looks like one of Bev's birds as much as I do!

Many of these sellers, and I've questioned quite a few of them, see a "name" that sells well, and grab on to it. Afterall, who knows what chicken is whose, but there are some very distinct markers within certain lines that make it obvious to me, that this bird ain't one of hers. Oh yeh, some of his flock may have come from her line waaaaay back there, but this guy has been cranking out the crap for at least 3 years now, so even if he did start with her birds, they are no longer. Man, this really ticks me off...Hopefully, and I speak from personal experience here, people will do their research before hitting the bid button. Then again, I did ask questions, and the pics looked decent so I took the plunge. Nothing like wasting a whole year and lots of food raising up Penedesencas!

Just readi this post from debbi oh this makes me so mad!

I know, right? I'm dealing with carnations right now and it ain't no pretty smelling flower I tell ya.
I'm going to keep 2 birds, my Bill Sr. and my Lil' Bill, both Blue Coppers and going to start all over again with new.
Talk about frustrating...I don't have as much time into breeding them as quite a few folks here and in the Marans groups, but I have enough to say that it really miffs me off. If this would have happened 3+ years ago I probably wouldn't have given starting over a second thought.
I can look at it as a good thing I guess because I am taking very valuable information and learned experience with me into the next flock of new blood and I got the majority of that information right here in the Marans threads and from the MCC, for which I am very appreciative of everyone who posts and shares their knowledge, opinions and advise.

 

[gilavina]

Thanks everyone...I do love Gigantor...he is the best colored bird I've ever had here. I can't wait to test mate him with some of my best girls this next spring!!!!

 

[pinkchick]

Vicki~

Mel is a character! We love him!


I think only one time did I let one girl sit on 11 eggs, 3 hatched. Only let a few sit on eggs and under those I only put around 7 eggs, the rest of the broodies have been given chicks because I happened to have them available and broodies make me crazy, I would rather they get chicks if they will take them instead of sitting on eggs. I do love broodies it's just....they are so tempermental.

But I am a sucker for hatch time and running out to check on them all the time. You know like Debbi has the 'bator walk....I have the broody walk. Suddenly I visualize myself doing what I typed, the broody walk......................

BTW: DEBBI Congratulations on the babies!!!!!! They are super cute!

 

[NoisyCricket]

I am really learning a lot on this thread. It is really nice for you all to share the problems you have breeding. Thank you! I think that is a rare thing. I have never found a dog or horse site where such info is shared so openly.

I finally got my SOP book yesterday. I think it is going to be really, really helpful for me.
Is there any other books anyone could recommend on chicken genetics and genes?

What you think of these Marens? They are all 15 weeks old. I think both boys have color too far down on their chests, but I am still not educated enough to determine what is good type and what is not.

Mingo

Fanty

Splash pullet

 

[gilavina]

Quote:
haha too funny. I'm gonna let the eggs under her ride until I can get out to candle them when its dark. Probably won't be tonight since I work later...but maybe that will help me decide which stays and which goes...she is a hog with those eggs. She must have been bit with the broody bug x2.... I really hope the rest of your hatch goes well....

so, are you going to literally do the 'broody walk' when you go out to check on your girl?

I wonder where Debbi is this mornin?

 

[gilavina]

Hey Anna,

Did you see my post last night asking if you were planning on going to the Show in Lincoln first week in Nov?