Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[mikeypalone]

I need some opinions here,I have blue Marans,a pullet with two white tipped wing feathers,an unrelated cockerel,will the white pass down to the offspring of this pullet?

 

[SarniaTricia]

I have 3 Black copper marans. Not planning on showing them. They are just sweet pets and used for egg laying. Meet Happy the roo and my girls are Sunshine (aka Sunny) and Ruby. The eggs were given to me and I was told they were black copper marans. I incubated and brooded them. The girls lay the dark chocolate colored eggs. I'm really not sure if they are "french" or not???. They all three have the feathers on their legs and feet. They are 6 months old and just recently started laying. They are very friendly. Sunshine often jumps into my lap. Ruby hangs around my feet. Happy is a very good protector of my small backyard flock. he has only challenged me once. Since then I just hold him every chance I get.

Congrats on your Marans!
First eggs are always fun. Glad to here you straighten out your roo.. I have one that needs an attitude adjustment right now, but I have to find the time to set him right.. Until then, the kids are not alowed into that pen! (he is so bad the DH noticed!! and he really doesn't notice much about the birds)
Patricia

 

[SarniaTricia]

I need some opinions here,I have blue Marans,a pullet with two white tipped wing feathers,an unrelated cockerel,will the white pass down to the offspring of this pullet?

How old is the pullet?
It is my understanding that sometimes white juvenile feathers happen until after the moult in the first year.
If the pullet has gone through the moult.... probly not a great idea to use her for breeding...

Patricia

 

[pinkchick]

I need some opinions here,I have blue Marans,a pullet with two white tipped wing feathers,an unrelated cockerel,will the white pass down to the offspring of this pullet?

Hi! Sometimes, some Marans will show white in the wing tips until after their first molt. If it is still there after molt then the chance is it can pass on to the offspring.

 

[pinkchick]

Sorry, double post.

 

[mikeypalone]

The blue pullet is only two and a half months old. I had not seen this before in any my other blues and didn't know if I should be concerned. I show a lot so I guess she won't be going,the white is pretty obvious when you spread the wings. Thanks for the opinions folks.

 

[pinkchick]

The blue pullet is only two and a half months old. I had not seen this before in any my other blues and didn't know if I should be concerned. I show a lot so I guess she won't be going,the white is pretty obvious when you spread the wings. Thanks for the opinions folks.

She is still very young and chances are it will either cover blue or molt out. White in the wing tips until maturation is fairly common with Marans, many breeders and Marans enthusiasts experience it.
Some of the nicest birds I have raised and breed had it when young. Infact, a very high percentage of my birds will show white wing tips from hatch to the time that they start feathering out, until they mature or molt. I have not had any of them still show it after they mature. (White in the tail or hackle is IMO, a whole nuther story and it is (too my knowledge) not related to the white in the wing tip). I view it as more of a characteristic or trait knowing it is not the final product and is all a part of the normal feathering out color process of the bird.
Hope others come by to give thought on it for you as well and correct me if I have stated something that is not accurate. I know there is more to it if the white wing tip or top couple of primaries are still there after molt or maturation, but I can't not recall the particulars. *Looks around for Don to explain*

 

[mikeypalone]

Yes,very young. I have not had this in my show or breed pens but this pullet is an outside line. I wanted to add different bloodlines She is perfect so far for showing,minus the white, her full sister has no white and I thought that odd. I have had very light blue that darkened with age and this is not that,this is pure white about the last inch in both feathers. I won't use her for breeding until I see these gone. Thanks for the reply.

 

[hope glory]

Where are you?? Im looking for some new additions to my tiny flock.

 

[mikeypalone]

I am in the NE part of Henry county. North central ky.