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

[pinkchick]

Not stupidity at all my friend.
To cull means to remove from the flock. This sometimes means by putting the bird in the freezer to eat later on, or because the bird may be ill or does not meet breeding standards and is sold, given away or moved to a laying flock.
Mossiness is brown stippling color found on the feathers of the body and breast and is an unwanted trait in Black Copper Marans by breeders breeding to the proposed standard of BCM's.

 

[kathyinmo]

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Not stupid at all! Cull means to remove from your breeder stock, as in not worthy of breeding. It may mean to give him away, sell him, or process him.

Mossiness was discussed at length a few times in this thread ... I'll see if I can find one. It means the brownish coloring on the black ...

 

[chickenmamalp]

Oh and I thought because he had the copper on his head he was a good one lol!

I'll start at the beginning of this thread and try to get informed. I'd better put the coffee on!

 

[kathyinmo]

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Hey .. we can learn together! I am still trying to figure all this stuff out!

ETA: It is gonna take me more than one pot of coffee!

 

[marquisella]

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What has happened here in the US is that people bred for egg color, without much consideration for conformation.

Now, that the APA is working on getting them accepted, the proposed standard is very close to the French Standard, and they are specific about tail angle, color, size, etc.

So that is why you see lots of photos of roosters with high tails. There are a lot of them out there. But the reality is, that people will become aware of the standard, and start to look for & breed for those requirements.

I don't mind the look of the high tail in a rooster, but for the Marans breed, it is not correct. Tail angle should be around 40 degrees if one is breeding for the show ring.

Sue

 

[lildinkem]

I 100% agree with marquisella. Plus, too many Marans breeders here in the USA are in for the money. And want to do it on the cheap. For those who only want to have nice backyard flocks, and have no concerns about showing, no one should judge their birds but themselves. However, if asked what some other opinion is, do not be surprised when they tell you the standard for that bird. And you might not like what you hear. But, you asked for it. I value honest opinions of my birds. No better way to improve ones flock. IF that is what you plan on doing.

 

[geebs]

about the copper on the head... It has been my experience that the copper on the head indicates future mossiness and also too much red in a roo... The upside... If it is a hen they are known to lay the nices eggs!!!

 

[kathyinmo]

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I don't get it geebs. What does the color of a feather have to do with the color (or shade) of an egg? I haven't heard that one before.

 

[drom]

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So many people post pictures of their birds specifically asking everyone to critique them on this thread that I think we all forget not everyone is asking for a critique.

For me, with the BCMs, usually when I post a picture, I am just posting a picture-for the viewing pleasure.

Cause I love pictures-

Edited to add-I didn't realize you did ask for opinions-I just logged in

There are lots of dedicated folks on the thread and we all love the birds and the breed and everyone will give you their sincere opinions if you ask. But there is never any insult intended.

 

[geebs]

About mossiness and the copper on the head of a young bird....


Hatch enough of them and you will see... Just savin ya some time.