Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Hens and Roos]

Yes, middle toe feathers. I decided that was the least of my worries at this time since it is not a disqualification. I have a lot of other stuff to work on, so that is down the list. At least I don't have problems with clean legs/shanks--I've not had one chick clean-legged. I saw your post about the discoloration and wonder the same thing. Can't answer that question.

the feathering on the middle toes could potentially cause an issue in the next generation and come in heavier. Maybe some test matings to see what happens.

My understanding is the comb is suppose to be straight and not flop on the males, we have had quite a few this year that we culled for this problem in one of the other breeds we raise- this might be an item that would develop more problems in future generations.

 

[heath_elisha]

So I was looking at my Blues today. 3.5 months old and the pullets are getting black specks a small strip splotches on them. That cannot be good. Every one of them. They are getting simularities of a splash what gives? Does this happen?

Maybe they're just a really dark splash?

I have a really dark blue splash and she is beautiful. Reminds me a of a pearl... hence her name is Pearl

Still a young pullet.... hope to see her start laying soon. The older she gets, the more pronounced her markings get. Pictures are youngest to most recent.

 

[pinkchick]

Marcy~

I agree with Don. #37 is your best bird. Are you looking to keep only one of them?






Elisha~

How's it going today? Did you get your hygro/therm and turner all going?

 

[laughingclown]

They are suppose to be Blue Coppers not Splash. I have seen the relatives of the birds and they are all blue. This is making me angry. I have other problems to deal with these birds than them getting black spots when they are not suppose to. Makes me wonder if I should be taking on Marans at all. These are the only 3 Blues I have right now and I just got more eggs from these birds relatives. I seem to be going more backwards than forwards. I have also spent a lot of money to get into the Marans. Dont know what to do. Here are some pictures. You can see some of the spots and streaks. They were worse yesterday so Im hoing that its just dirt. Also I know they are not perfect. On had its tail feathers pulled out. I have one Im waiting for eye color.

 

[heath_elisha]

Marcy~

I agree with Don. #37 is your best bird. Are you looking to keep only one of them?






Elisha~

How's it going today? Did you get your hygro/therm and turner all going?

*sigh* the incubator is frustrating lol. The little thermometer I have falls between the eggs because of the egg turner. When it is on top of the eggs, it reads 99.5 exactly. When it falls down to the side of the eggs it says 97. I am afraid to turn it up...... It spiked to 102 yesterday on top of the eggs. Not sure for how long- but had me frantic lol I am so afraid of messing up! The broody makes it look SOOOOOOOOOO simple. Just sit there. I have nothing to measure humidity right now- should be here by tomorrow.. bought a digital hygro/thermometer that has a sensor that dangles through the LG vent hole, at egg level. Guess I just will keep going- hoping it all goes well- and not be surprised if I start to smell the yucky smell.....

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

I got some Wade-Jeane C-1 chicks from BYC CrazyforEggsJulie last fall. We have 6 new babies from them. I have kept the flock closed.
I also have a Bev Davis Line and a Davis-Wade-Jean line I house all separately. Is there a benefit/disadvantage to keeping the C-1's closed. How long before problems crop up--any advice and knowledge on this would be greatly appreciated! Kathy

 

[pinkchick]

Marcy~

Do you have any more photos of #21? Particularly a full on front view and possibly a view of him from above, looking down upon him?

 

[DMRippy]

They are suppose to be Blue Coppers not Splash. I have seen the relatives of the birds and they are all blue. This is making me angry. I have other problems to deal with these birds than them getting black spots when they are not suppose to. Makes me wonder if I should be taking on Marans at all. These are the only 3 Blues I have right now and I just got more eggs from these birds relatives. I seem to be going more backwards than forwards. I have also spent a lot of money to get into the Marans. Dont know what to do. Here are some pictures. You can see some of the spots and streaks. They were worse yesterday so Im hoing that its just dirt. Also I know they are not perfect. On had its tail feathers pulled out. I have one Im waiting for eye color.

They look blue to me. Splash is really an almost white with dark patches. Yours are mover uniform in color and a medium blueish color.

 

[pinkchick]

*sigh* the incubator is frustrating lol. The little thermometer I have falls between the eggs because of the egg turner. When it is on top of the eggs, it reads 99.5 exactly. When it falls down to the side of the eggs it says 97. I am afraid to turn it up...... It spiked to 102 yesterday on top of the eggs. Not sure for how long- but had me frantic lol I am so afraid of messing up! The broody makes it look SOOOOOOOOOO simple. Just sit there. I have nothing to measure humidity right now- should be here by tomorrow.. bought a digital hygro/thermometer that has a sensor that dangles through the LG vent hole, at egg level. Guess I just will keep going- hoping it all goes well- and not be surprised if I start to smell the yucky smell.....

Before my Sportsman, I only used LG Still Air incubators and a stryo- homemade incubator, I will list some things below that worked for me.

Remember the temperature on the top of the eggs that are closest to the heating element is going to be the right temp and that there will be a lower temp near the bottom of the egg. This is normal and good, 99.5 at the top of the egg is perfect. Leave it.

If all 3 water troughs in the bottom of the LG are full and you have 1 red plug in one of the top vents, give or take (depending on humidity levels in the room and outside) your humidity should be around 38-40%. I have never been able to get the humidity in a LG Still Air up over 40%, until the eggs came out of the turner and went into lockdown where I could put a small bowl of water with a sponge/rag in it and even then I struggled keeping hum. at over 50%.

The sudden spike of 102* should not have effected anything as long as it didn't sit and cook at 102* for an excessive period of time (like 8 hours or more...not sure what the exact time limit is). They will flux a bit as the temps of the room/house will flux, but IMO, run best when in rooms that are kept a constant temp.

Once I had my LG's dialed in...I marked the little dial and the top of the 'bator and never touched it again.

Be watchful of where little wire the sensor is on and not to have it to close to the element.

Sounds like things are plugging along just as they should.

 

[gilavina]

They are suppose to be Blue Coppers not Splash. I have seen the relatives of the birds and they are all blue. This is making me angry. I have other problems to deal with these birds than them getting black spots when they are not suppose to. Makes me wonder if I should be taking on Marans at all. These are the only 3 Blues I have right now and I just got more eggs from these birds relatives. I seem to be going more backwards than forwards. I have also spent a lot of money to get into the Marans. Dont know what to do. Here are some pictures. You can see some of the spots and streaks. They were worse yesterday so Im hoing that its just dirt. Also I know they are not perfect. On had its tail feathers pulled out. I have one Im waiting for eye color.

These are blues, not splash. It is not uncommon for blues to have some darker leakage from time to time.