Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Arielle]

All the ones I have with middle toe feathers seem to get more feathers as they get older.

Get more feathers on the middle toe? Or more feathers along the shank?

 

[desertmarcy]

This is probably a dumb question, but how do you breed to get a solid Blue Marans? I guess what I am wanting to know is, what is the origin of these birds?

Chances are, what you have is a bird that does carry the copper gene, she is just not expressing (showing) it. I have two of them here, neither showing copper, but I know they have copper in their background. You will really have to hunt high and low to find solid Blacks or Blues. If they tell you they came out of a Blue Copper or a Black Copper several generations ago, they will still carry the copper gene!

 

[gilavina]

Marcia, I just shot an overdue email to you about your BLRW dilemma

 

[flgardengirl]

OK folks, has anyone had chicks hatch with just a few middle toe feathers AND then kept the chicks AND then noticed any patterns like increased feathering as the chick matured.

I know we have discuss before that chicks with light feathering on the outside of the shank sometime lose the feathering altogether as they age. Have you noticed any patterns with the middle toe feathering as the chick ages?

Its not that they get more feathers but the existing ones got longer and thicker on the ones with the middle toe feathering. I have had a few of my pure blues hatch out with the middle toe feathering. I culled most that had that but kept two blue hens that look really nice otherwise and am working on them because they have a nice large build and lay nice and dark lol. It is a hard trait to breed out.

 

[flgardengirl]

Willy Peppers?

I am growing some of these as well. I have the orange ones. We should compare them later this summer LOL!!

 

[gilavina]

I am growing some of these as well. I have the orange ones. We should compare them later this summer LOL!!

haha you crazy gals!

 

[flgardengirl]

I AM 9 ROOSTERS LIGHTER!!!!!!

It is sooooooo quiet out here I can hardly stand it! All Carnations and Sprigs are gone!!! Even one snotpuss Silkie roo is gone!!! And the best of all...Big, Mean, Blue Butt is going to be soup and is GONE!!!!! Everyone left is a tad still freaked out. They don't know what to think of all the room and quiet. This has made my day, now I feel I can get down to business...finally!! The only boys left are Clyde, Roy, and Pekker in the run, and of course the unique Mr. Pip, aka, the Feral roo who does not breed! Time to start building pens........

Congratulations. Must be a good feeling! It will probably take you a few days to get used to going outside and not looking for them LOL!

 

[dkcrumly]

I am growing some of these as well. I have the orange ones. We should compare them later this summer LOL!!

Me too! I'll bet mine are bigger though....just saying

kristen

 

[Cadeau]

You guys!


Congrats, Debbi!
My guy didn't show up

- hopefully, next weekend!
He really wanted Barred Rock pullets and I don't have them...

 

[gilavina]

You guys!


Congrats, Debbi!
My guy didn't show up

- hopefully, next weekend!
He really wanted Barred Rock pullets and I don't have them...

Doh! Maybe he's just trying to make up his mind?