Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[gilavina]

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If the majority of it hasn't been molted by the adult molt, it will remain, for the most part. There are exceptions to this, I have one in Pip. I am finding now too, that a year is not long enough to truely judge a male. I was told the other day, that a roo won't be fully grown out and mature until he is two years old. I'm thinking now, this may be very true.

I do agree with the Marans taking a long time to fully mature. I have several birds that have changed pretty dramatically from the time I hatched them. At a year I thought they were looking pretty good, but it certainly doesn't stop after the year mark.

 

[snowbird]

Something just come to mind about trying to cleanup the Marans breed. When I brought up the fact about the white feathers were not acceptable and even got it clearified through the Standards Committee of APA it was like a no win situation and still basically is now.

What makes it even harder to make changes is that 90 % of the people owning Marans are not seasoned SOP show chicken people and just do not know how poultry breeding works when breeding to the SOP. People will say they are just keeping them for the Dark eggs and first thing you know they are placing egg adds everything selling Show Quality Marans eggs.

I caution everyone at present to go very slow in buying Marans eggs and chicks and see if this is corrected in any way. Do not spend good big money for chicks that end up being table chickens.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

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Everything I'd heard about eating Marans is true, Don. They ARE tasty.

And mine had pretty decent meat on them at a young age so I really can't complain a bit.

 

[Mountain Mel 22]

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As a side note, putting a marans in with a delaware is also a good way to test and see if any yellow leg genes are waiting to show up. MAYBE everyone needs a few delawares around to help test for the carnation comb and yellow leg issues

If you need delaware eggs, I can hook you up!

HOWEVER, the delawares will cast their spell on you and you may never go back to the marans

Awwwww.......in a pigs' arse!!!!!!

 

[stoopid]

My Clyde has a few white feathers on his legs. Since he is still under a year old, is that a DQ? Or just points? Or would a judge who knows the breed let it slide?
And how do you know you WILL get a judge familiar with the breed?
Sorry, I did order the 2010 book, haven't received it yet.

 

[Debbi]

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If the majority of it hasn't been molted by the adult molt, it will remain, for the most part. There are exceptions to this, I have one in Pip. I am finding now too, that a year is not long enough to truely judge a male. I was told the other day, that a roo won't be fully grown out and mature until he is two years old. I'm thinking now, this may be very true.

I do agree with the Marans taking a long time to fully mature. I have several birds that have changed pretty dramatically from the time I hatched them. At a year I thought they were looking pretty good, but it certainly doesn't stop after the year mark.

Pip has his faults, no doubt, albeit no DQs!

Six months ago, he was probably half the size of my two dark boys. Today, he is massive in breadth, depth, and width! He and Clyde got into a ruccus the other week, and I had to go in and pick him up. I could not believe he now feels so solid and weighs more than Clyde! He is now 15 months old, so he may fill out even more?? I need to build a roo pen this spring!

 

[Mountain Mel 22]

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[stoopid]

I'm gonna have to start calling MY Clyde something else.
Even I am getting confused.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

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A proper APA judge is supposed to make himself familiar with the breeds he will be judging. I believe they are all aware that the Black Copper Marans have just been accepted to the SOP and do try to educate themselves prior to judging although mistakes do happen at this point.

 

[snowbird]

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White feathers on the shanks or feet is a DQ. Most likely you will not get a Judge that knows the breed. Just like most people entering the Marans in a show do not know the breed. It will be a learning experience for all involved.