Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[DMRippy]

Hi!

I'm a new Maran owner!
I have 8 new babies. They are all pure french cuckoo marans. She said some are copper and some are black, I got them from a local breeder.
Opinions? Roos, hens, healthy looking? I'm new at the fuzzy footed bird! But I love them!

Did she say copper or golden? I don't see any goldens in that group... did she breed coppers in with her cuckoos? Great leg feathering. I think the bottom one is a roo. I see one that is solid, maybe that one is a Black Copper. I don't really do very well with barreds or cuckoos on sexing them, but if I was to guess.... all the spots look rooish.

BUT don't take my word for it.... wait for the experts. Oh... that bottom pic also has yellow legs... sorry.

 

[gilavina]

as requested a couple of pics of my Birchen roo,,,,wind is gusty and he is going through a molt @ 12wks, bred from a Blue Birchen roo over BCM hen



With a sibling pullet,



another sib pullet the sun off her back throws color off a bit



these birds have a some changing to come,,,,whatcha think?

do you happen to have another birchen roo? Or have the capability of breeding for one? The pullet looks alright with the color and pattern, but the boy is off. He's not a splash, as he has very defined lacing that isn't typical for birchens. You could perhaps test mate him, but, to be honest, I'm not sure what you would get. Never seen a marans birchen or otherwise look quite like that.

 

[BackyardCoop]

Sorry not some black and some copper. She said they were black coppers.

 

[BackyardCoop]

She brought them to me. I'm going to her place in a few weeks for some frizzle babies and will see her chickens so I can get a better idea.

 

[gilavina]

Sorry not some black and some copper. She said they were black coppers.

that's ok...I was just confused. So you got both cuckoos and black coppers then?

 

[BackyardCoop]

that's ok...I was just confused. So you got both cuckoos and black coppers then?

That is what I was told.

I'll feel more sure when I got and see the mama and papa's. I've only had them about a week.

 

[gilavina]

That is what I was told.

I'll feel more sure when I got and see the mama and papa's. I've only had them about a week.

from what I could see in the pics it looks like you have both. I just wanted to make sure someone wasn't giving you misinformation or etc. Seeing parent stock will always help you get a better idea of what you might end up with when the chicks grow out.

 

[unkadan]

"do you happen to have another birchen roo? Or have the capability of breeding for one? The pullet looks alright with the color and pattern, but the boy is off. He's not a splash, as he has very defined lacing that isn't typical for birchens. You could perhaps test mate him, but, to be honest, I'm not sure what you would get. Never seen a marans birchen or otherwise look quite like that.

"

I haven't either but then I have seen some pics doing google that have some Birchens with that pattern just not as much, I do have space and time to let him mature and see how he looks then,,,,time will tell

and those are 2 different pullets so at least that is a start, now if the eggs look nice I'll be a happy camper

 

[Debbi]

do you happen to have another birchen roo? Or have the capability of breeding for one? The pullet looks alright with the color and pattern, but the boy is off. He's not a splash, as he has very defined lacing that isn't typical for birchens. You could perhaps test mate him, but, to be honest, I'm not sure what you would get. Never seen a marans birchen or otherwise look quite like that.

I'm glad you said something, because I saw it too, and I don't even have Birchens. Shouldn't they be colored like a Black or Blue Copper except having silver hackles/saddles instead of copper?? He looks like he has something else in the mix there, some breed with heavy lacing.

 

[gilavina]

"do you happen to have another birchen roo? Or have the capability of breeding for one? The pullet looks alright with the color and pattern, but the boy is off. He's not a splash, as he has very defined lacing that isn't typical for birchens. You could perhaps test mate him, but, to be honest, I'm not sure what you would get. Never seen a marans birchen or otherwise look quite like that.

"

I haven't either but then I have seen some pics doing google that have some Birchens with that pattern just not as much, I do have space and time to let him mature and see how he looks then,,,,time will tell

and those are 2 different pullets so at least that is a start, now if the eggs look nice I'll be a happy camper

Unfortunately, google only captures images of what individuals have marked as certain breeds, it does not edit them against the SOP for birchen coloring or the Marans standard to tell you if they are correct or not. With all the problems the Marans have had with crossing other breeds in and flaws being bred forward, whether knowingly or unknowingly, I felt like I should say something as the birchens are my main focus in the Marans. I just want to see you get a good start if you were looking to breed to the standard or planning on selling hatching eggs or stock. If you are just looking for some pretty birds, then they will do just fine.