Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[Wynette]

A gal here in town has an extra Black Copper Marans cockerel. He is from Bev Davis line, but did not come directly from Bev, she got hatching eggs from another person who had Davis line. I thought I remembered reading here that results are not so good when breeding Davis line to Wade Jeane/Cottage Hill lines, which is what I have? Is this so? What would be the advantages and disadvantages to doing so? Also, this person emailed me pics of the eggs she is getting now from her pullets, they look to be about a "4" on the egg scale which I know is minimum. I know everybody wants those really dark eggs, but how many people really have BCMs that lay eggs darker than a "5"? Her pullets have only been laying for a week and only 2 of her 4 have started laying, and she said the eggs she received were very dark. How many eggs laid/how long before you can say for sure what color your pullet is laying? I thought I remembered you couldn't judge just by the first few eggs. Thanks for any insight---she is only going to keep one of her 2 cockerels, and I haven't seen her birds yet, but contemplating whether or not it would be a good idea to introduce new blood---you all have seen multiple pics of the cockerels I've got to work with, and the eggs I've been getting from my original stock are "4" at the most.

IMHO, I would personally doubt that this person does not have pure Davis birds, because I know for a fact that Bev will not breed a bird that lays less than a 6 on the scale. That said, and we've talked about this in detail, once a bird leaves a breeder and decisions are made regarding which to keep, which to cull, which to breed.....the line doens't hold nearly as much weight as the original fock did - if you get what I'm saying.

Typically, the very first eggs ar the very darkest. However, I have had some W. Jeane pullets (from a breeder who got her stock directly from Wade) who began laying a lighter egg that did end up darkening; but, they began getting dark within the first week, so very soon after beginning.

I think we've seen so much dilution in lines, and crossing of lines, that we are hard pressed to really be able to "assign" definite characteristics to each at this point. Again, my opinion.

 

[Wynette]

Im getting so disheartened with Marans. I got around 20 chicks from a member. Drove a long way to get them too. Seemed nice and her birds looked good. I got a mossy bird. 1 Maran turned out to be some form of easter egger with yellow legs and a yellow beak. Screwed up combs. Split wings. And dark blue leakage spots/stripes on all my blues(which I hope comes out. Dont know if it does). I have 6 pullets and 1 roo left. I know a few of these I shouldnt breed either but I will test them out to see what I end up with. So frustrated beyond belief.

I have spent a lot of money trying to get a decent flock together. Sad part is I dont need a huge flock. I had know Idea these birds needed this much work. I know not to expect perfection but this is ridiculous. If I dont start seeing results from my efforts Im done. I can just as easily throw my money down the toilet or out the window. Im down to 14 eggs in the bator out of 23 due to hatch Aug 1. We shall see!

If you stick with Marans, you will definitely become a much more patient person - not saying that you are being impatient by any means, just saying - they are SO very new, this is not a surprise at all. Many folks breed for egg color, not for conformation. That may be what has happened here. That said, your comment, "I know a few of these I shouldnt breed either but I will test them out..." could also be what has happened. Sorry to hear it. You're lucky to be able to keep (if you are breeding to SOP and culling heavily) 1 out of 10 hatched.

 

[desertmarcy]

IMHO, I would personally doubt that this person does not have pure Davis birds, because I know for a fact that Bev will not breed a bird that lays less than a 6 on the scale. That said, and we've talked about this in detail, once a bird leaves a breeder and decisions are made regarding which to keep, which to cull, which to breed.....the line doens't hold nearly as much weight as the original fock did - if you get what I'm saying.

Oh yes, definitely know what you are saying. There are SO many people out there advertising their birds as Davis or Jeane or who's ever birds, and who knows how many generations out. It could be these eggs are darker, it is hard to tell from a computer image sometimes. She is going on vacation soon and hopefully when she gets back, I will be able to see the birds and eggs in person. So no hasty decision being made here!

Typically, the very first eggs ar the very darkest. However, I have had some W. Jeane pullets (from a breeder who got her stock directly from Wade) who began laying a lighter egg that did end up darkening; but, they began getting dark within the first week, so very soon after beginning.

Good to know, not only for these birds, but also for my own which should be starting to lay soon.

I think we've seen so much dilution in lines, and crossing of lines, that we are hard pressed to really be able to "assign" definite characteristics to each at this point. Again, my opinion.

If that is the case, then if I like her cockerel, it could be a good idea just to introduce new blood so as not to inbreed the ones I have too much.

 

[snowbird]

Marcy, do you think the Marans male owner would let you post a picture. At this point in your breeding program you really need an unrelated male for the females.I would not worry a lot about what line the Marans are advertised as being from.


Edited by Staff

 

[RyeRanch]

I had a BCM chick about 3 weeks old pass away in the middle of the night last night. She was significantly smaller than her hatch mates and seemed very lethargic. I seperated her out to monitor her more closely, make sure she was not being crowded out for food and water, and also to see if there were any other strange things I could notice. Her poop was normal looking and she was eating and drinking, though not voraciously like the rest of the crew. Our weather has been in the mid eighties out here during the day. The rest of her hatch mates do not seem to need a heat lamp, but she would hover underneath it. Any thoughts or worry itmes I should look for in the rest, or is this likely just a chick where something did not quite develop right and it was not meant to be?

Either way - kind of a sad day. I never like losing a chick especially when I am not too sure what happened.

Thanks!

 

[Wynette]

Marcy, do you think the Marans male owner would let you post a picture. At this point in your breeding program you really need an unrelated male for the females.I would not worry a lot about what line the Marans are advertised as being from.

Exactly what I meant - I agree.

 

[Wynette]

I had a BCM chick about 3 weeks old pass away in the middle of the night last night. She was significantly smaller than her hatch mates and seemed very lethargic. I seperated her out to monitor her more closely, make sure she was not being crowded out for food and water, and also to see if there were any other strange things I could notice. Her poop was normal looking and she was eating and drinking, though not voraciously like the rest of the crew. Our weather has been in the mid eighties out here during the day. The rest of her hatch mates do not seem to need a heat lamp, but she would hover underneath it. Any thoughts or worry itmes I should look for in the rest, or is this likely just a chick where something did not quite develop right and it was not meant to be?

Either way - kind of a sad day. I never like losing a chick especially when I am not too sure what happened.

Thanks!

You'll want to watch the rest of the chicks; the most typical issue at this age would be cocci, and it does present intially with lethargy. You may want to search through (and post in) the medical section for more feedback. Best of luck!

 

[RyeRanch]

You'll want to watch the rest of the chicks; the most typical issue at this age would be cocci, and it does present intially with lethargy. You may want to search through (and post in) the medical section for more feedback. Best of luck!

I treated the whole crew for cocci 6 days ago as that was my first thought. I never saw any blood in the stool of her or anyone else. I will post in the sick section as well and see what suggestions people have over there.

Thanks

 

[desertmarcy]

Marcy, do you think the Marans male owner would let you post a picture. At this point in your breeding program you really need an unrelated male for the females.I would not worry a lot about what line the Marans are advertised as being from.

Good idea, I will ask her.



Edited by Staff

 

[SarniaTricia]

Im getting so disheartened with Marans. I got around 20 chicks from a member. Drove a long way to get them too. Seemed nice and her birds looked good. I got a mossy bird. 1 Maran turned out to be some form of easter egger with yellow legs and a yellow beak. Screwed up combs. Split wings. And dark blue leakage spots/stripes on all my blues(which I hope comes out. Dont know if it does). I have 6 pullets and 1 roo left. I know a few of these I shouldnt breed either but I will test them out to see what I end up with. So frustrated beyond belief.

I have spent a lot of money trying to get a decent flock together. Sad part is I dont need a huge flock. I had know Idea these birds needed this much work. I know not to expect perfection but this is ridiculous. If I dont start seeing results from my efforts Im done. I can just as easily throw my money down the toilet or out the window. Im down to 14 eggs in the bator out of 23 due to hatch Aug 1. We shall see!

The fact that you care so much about getting it right, makes me think you should not give up! Do you love the breed? Is this a hobbie that can give you satisfaction? Are you the next Wade Jeane or Bev Davis!? Start from the basics, fill your freezer with DQ and make this your breed~!...

I am trying for pepp talk.... how did I do?
Patricia