Marans Thread for Posting Pics of Your Eggs, Chicks and Chickens

[drom]

Congratulations!!

Gamebirdsonly is a Chickspert!

And Henry too!!

 

[littlepeddler]

Got u some answers Chef. On he forum MOA. But pretty much what you have already received about the Penns.
Brenda

 

[Chef]

So I take it it's not a good thing? Is this something that will always be there in the genes or is this something that needs to be culled everytime? Thanks!

Chef

 

[amazondoc]

Quote:
"Bad" is relative. In this case, it's a defect but not a disqualification.

There are two disqualifications for Marans, in terms of their external appearance: Yellow on shanks or toes, and white ear lobes. So a side sprig on a comb would not be as bad as yellow legs or white ear lobes.

Similarly, a side sprig on a rooster who produces hens that lay very dark eggs would probably not be as bad as a rooster with no sprigs who does NOT help to produce dark eggs.

 

[Chef]

This is EXACTLY what I needed to hear!

Thank you for that! He does not have yellow legs or white ear lobes so thats good. I will see what comes of him as soon as my hen starts laying. I guess I'll just hope for the best.

Thanks again for the input I was starting to think I got bamboozled

Chef

 

[drom]

I split my eggs up in to two cartons this morning. One carton has the egg show candidates. I know that the Fresno show may be very competitive. It looks like people from all over are shipping eggs in; some experienced Marans breeders with lots of birds.

But I shall not be deterred. I will make the pilgrimage to Fresno and submit my humble selection in spite of the daunting odds.

 

[onthespot]

Go GET em! When is the Fresno show, and where do I send my eggs? Tipsy is laying dark ones right now, REALLY red dark ones.

 

[COChickens]

I wanted to post pictures for mothergoose1963 I bought 12 Black Copper eggs from her and this was my first time hatching eggs in my incubator 8 hatched and here are pictures of one of the chicks I got.

 

[drom]

Quote:
The show is on the 21st and if you are shipping, Angie Harrover needs your eggs by the 18th with your entry form and 5 clams. You can also bring them in the day of the show, but you have to be there by 9:00am. If you go to the MCC in the files section you will see the Fresno egg show form and I believe it has the mailing instructions and address. You can also call her or e-mail her if you need clarification. The form says the fee and form are due by the 4th but that is apparently a typo.

Edited to add:

 

[amazondoc]

Quote:
Sometimes it's hard to get a good sense of perspective when talking about problems. And please remember that many other people may disagree with my assessment of the sprigs! But sprigs are known in many breeds, not just Marans or Penes. Marans breeders suspect Penes in the woodwork when they see sprigs on Marans, because the sprigs are a characteristic of Penes -- but they also occur in breeds that never had anything to DO with Penes, for example cochins.

Here's another perspective -- I don't have a copy of the APA Standard of Perfection, so you might want to get one before taking my word as gospel: "Judges look for side sprigs when looking at show chickens. It is a growth projecting from the side of the chickens comb. It will disqualify any show bird with a single comb. It is not as noticeable in double combed hens. Compare it to a Miss universe contest and it would be like a contestant with short hair and a third ear. "

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_side_sprig_on_chickens

I've gotta go do stuff this afternoon, but if I think of it tonight I'll try to look up more info. You've got me interested now!