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there is a blue gene chart that helps to navigate the blues and how to get them. What are you wanting to do with the Marans you have?
Honestly? (sheepsh) I was planning to just breed to a certain quality level (not show but try to keep it true with egg color being the priority and looks second) and sell them in my area. I am the only one with rare breeds... I also have Icelandics... at least with that 'breed' i do not have to worry about standards... Mine free range and i live in the mountains so... i allow mine to be subjected to the local environment in hopes to shape an overall stronger bird. I feel its a shame when pretty birds cannot and will not move far from the coop or know how to catch mice. I guess Eggs, Utility then Looks? if showing isn't my goal does this seem reasonable?
Seems reasonable, IF you are honest with the buyers that you are crossing in other breeds with your birds. A Marans crossed on an Andalusian is a mutt, not a Marans. This is where all the problems that are now popping up came from; folks crossing the Penedesenca with the Marans, hence all the funky combs now showing in the Marans. I have no problem with folks crossing their birds, they are yours and so is the feed bill. What I do have a problem with, is them selling them as "pure", and rare breeds, when in reality, they are mutts.