Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[3riverschick]

WHAAAAATTTT???? I have three roos here with AT LEAST 3" spurs!! Where ever did you hear that?? While I can agree that you should enjoy your chickens for what they are, if you intend to breed them with the intention of selling as breeding stock to others, do yourself and the other folks down the line a huge favor, and CULL HEAVILY! Learn the SOP and breed towards that as a goal. There will never be a "perfect" chicken, and I don't care who you are, or how long you've bred. You may get really close, but the idea of perfection is a never ending goal for all. Don't do the breed or yourself a disservice by sellin poor quality Marans. It will come back to bite you in the arse!

Hi,
I think we have a little misunderstanding here. I was not advocating selling or breeding inferior birds. I was simply stating that even if the birds weren't exactly what Pigeonguy was looking for, Pigeonguy could still use them to learn about the breed. Last winter I switched to Sussex and got several Sussex utility hens to learn about the breed. I kept them over the winter and this Spring, re-homed them to make room for my coming Sussex show stock. It was interesting. They are different from Marans and I was glad I did it
I have never bred or had a male Marans here which developed spurs. I was given this info when I entered the breed and have never seen a Marans male with spurs. I am sure it happens and I have never seen the issue mentioned in the Standard so from where I sit, it's really a moot point as far as breed type goes.
Karen in western PA

 

[3riverschick]

Thanx We'll see what they are when they get here. Who nows could be the place is legit and we don't know.

Hi Pigeonguy,
Yup, time will tell. Even if they are off-color, watching them grow is very educational. Take pics in chick down,
juvenile feathers and their adult feathers. I learned so much about Golden Salmon Marans( e+ wildtype)
by watching all the poorly-colored and off-colored chicks that I bought as eggs and day olds grow up.
(at the time, I didn't know better and though they were properly colored chicks).
It was a real help in learning to discern proper color when I did see it.
Legs can change color as they grow. I am not sure if green legs will.
Willow green legs is a separate gene not found in Marans. The proper adult Marans 'white legs with a pinkish cast'
can start out as yellow legs, tho..and turn the proper color as they mature.
Best Regards,
Karen

 

[Debbi]

Hi,
I think we have a little misunderstanding here. I was not advocating selling or breeding inferior birds. I was simply stating that even if the birds weren't exactly what Pigeonguy was looking for, Pigeonguy could still use them to learn about the breed. Last winter I switched to Sussex and got several Sussex utility hens to learn about the breed. I kept them over the winter and this Spring, re-homed them to make room for my coming Sussex show stock. It was interesting. They are different from Marans and I was glad I did it
I have never bred or had a male Marans here which developed spurs. I was given this info when I entered the breed and have never seen a Marans male with spurs. I am sure it happens and I have never seen the issue mentioned in the Standard so from where I sit, it's really a moot point as far as breed type goes.
Karen in western PA

I have had and bred quite a few Marans roos, and I can assure you, they DO grow spurs. The issue may not have been mentioned in the standard because most roos do in fact grow spurs; a given if you will. Marans will also differ in looks and in temperament according to how they are bred. My first clutch ended up being absolute witches and bullies, while other lines have a much calmer and decent temperament, let alone better conformation. Just saying here, this breed has enough problems without cultivating mediocre or poor stock to be sold as future breeding stock. If someone wants to feed the mediocre birds, and keep them for eggs only, in their backyard, then more power to them. It's the folks that have no clue as to the SOP or even care, that are producing literally CRAP, and passing it on as breed stock that infuriates me! We all came to this place to learn, and learn I have. I hope that others will learn much as well, and as I, continue to learn and improve.

 

[Arielle]

Quote:
My son was showing me a young CM rooster, pointing out the very large comb; and then I explained the difference in barring pattern girls v. boys. Comb says boy, feathering = girl. I would love it to be a girl.

I usually leave the snakes alone. We have found several in our shop and have relocated them to the outside. They have a place in nature, like keeping the mice population down......

I like snakes, Interesting creatures, especially the very large boas. We only have garter snakes. Sunday a poor snake was surrounded by chickens helping themselves to goodies in the leaves, and that poor snake was coiled and striking repeatedly. He looked scary, the chickens stayed clear. He sure could defend himself! It finally had an opening to safety.

Glad to report tonight, that Clyde has pulled through! This afternoon was the first time I've heard him crow since last Friday! He was also fence fighting with Pip who was standing by the gate. Never thought that would make me happy, but it did!! Just a note to all who may use Eprinex, only put one or two drops on the neck!! It dawned on me that all of the hens, and two other roos had the drops given under the wings or on the back. Clyde was the first one I did, and when a hen spooked off the roost, he flinched, and the whole lot I had in the eye dropper went onto the back of his neck. Granted, it was probably 7 drops, but that is TOO MUCH! Especially loaded in one place. While he did not act sick, he was indeed droopy, and like I said, didn't crow. Whether the B Complex helped or not, I don't know, but it did make him eat and drink more almost instantaneously. Just posting to share my joy, and to pass on what I almost had to learn the hard way. Hope this helps someone else avoid my mistake!!

Glad he is feeling better.

Hi Pigeonguy!

A lot worse things can happen than a 1st flock of Marans being from a hatchery, smile.
Enjoy them and learn from them. I hope you get a couple of real nice ones in there.
If so, you can always cross them with a feather-legged Marans, if you want.
Regardless of the darkness of the egg, Marans eggs are excellent eating! I know you will enjoy them!
A big plus, the males don't get spurs. Do post pics as they grow!
Welcome to the breed!

Karen in western PA

My boys don't have big spurs either. But they sure are the bosses. One of my other roosters a spangled hamburg, is a spry little fellow taking on bigger boys. HE has huge spurs! Lovely rooster, nice to his girls, keeps naughty Raptor in line, and stays out of our reach! My boys get along, they free range and I have noticed they change coops at will .

 

[DMRippy]

Quote: The pullet was dead when we found them. She was cold and the other chickens were freaking out! The snake had eaten her down to her shoulders so he had been in there for awhile. Glad he didn't find the BITTY BABIES. HUM..... the snake...... was escorted OFF THE PROPERTY

 

[Debbi]

Hi Pigeonguy,
Yup, time will tell. Even if they are off-color, watching them grow is very educational. Take pics in chick down,
juvenile feathers and their adult feathers. I learned so much about Golden Salmon Marans( e+ wildtype)
by watching all the poorly-colored and off-colored chicks that I bought as eggs and day olds grow up.
(at the time, I didn't know better and though they were properly colored chicks).
It was a real help in learning to discern proper color when I did see it.
Legs can change color as they grow. I am not sure if green legs will.
Willow green legs is a separate gene not found in Marans. The proper adult Marans 'white legs with a pinkish cast'
can start out as yellow legs, tho..and turn the proper color as they mature.
Best Regards,
Karen

Green and yellow legs are a definate NO in Marans! White legs with pinkish cast refers to either a Cuckoo or Wheaten, but Blues, Splash, or Blacks should have slate colored legs. All should show with a white foot bottom. While chicks may start out with a yellow tinge to their legs, (due to the yolk absorbtion prior to hatch), that color should fade within a week or less. Green is NEVER a color to be found in pure Marans legs.

 

[gilavina]

I have had and bred quite a few Marans roos, and I can assure you, they DO grow spurs. The issue may not have been mentioned in the standard because most roos do in fact grow spurs; a given if you will. Marans will also differ in looks and in temperament according to how they are bred. My first clutch ended up being absolute witches and bullies, while other lines have a much calmer and decent temperament, let alone better conformation. Just saying here, this breed has enough problems without cultivating mediocre or poor stock to be sold as future breeding stock. If someone wants to feed the mediocre birds, and keep them for eggs only, in their backyard, then more power to them. It's the folks that have no clue as to the SOP or even care, that are producing literally CRAP, and passing it on as breed stock that infuriates me! We all came to this place to learn, and learn I have. I hope that others will learn much as well, and as I, continue to learn and improve.

Gotta go with Debbi on this one. My roos (all the different varieties) definitely have spurs. And well said on the rest of your post too.

 

[Jenn1399]

So glad Clyde is doing better!

 

[DMRippy]

Now I will have to look at my roos, I don't know if they have spurs....... interesting.......


The snake was bleeding several places, the other chicks gave him what to for for being in their pen.

go chickies! even though you didn't help your buddy just bloodied your pen

 

[Debbi]

Thanks for the Clyde well wishes! He is my buddy!

Good on the chickies, Donna! Snakes don't make it too long around here. Last summer, I watched two hens tear apart, and suck down a 3' snake! Happened so fast, I didn't even have time to see what it was! Snakes, birds, and moles don't dare go into my Marans run, the Silkie run gets moles though, but they stop at the fenceline...