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

[drom]

Quote:
Hmm. So it really doesn't seem like the chick coloration (lots of white vs none) has anything to do with how they eventually end up turning out. My pullet that had almost no white was really colorful very early. My black and white girls were almost all black for the first two months-no color at all. But my little Roos were all black and white as chicks and developed lots of color early.

Very pretty chick-I bet she'll be nice.

 

[Solsken Farm]

Quote:
Hmm. So it really doesn't seem like the chick coloration (lots of white vs none) has anything to do with how they eventually end up turning out. My pullet that had almost no white was really colorful very early. My black and white girls were almost all black for the first two months-no color at all. But my little Roos were all black and white as chicks and developed lots of color early.

Very pretty chick-I bet she'll be nice.

I left this question over at the yahoo marans group today and no one has responded (regarding the chick coloration as an indicator of later color). I do not remember my older Copper Blacks keeping the white very long, although they had the classic white tuxedo as hatchlings.

 

[drom]

Quote:
Hmm. So it really doesn't seem like the chick coloration (lots of white vs none) has anything to do with how they eventually end up turning out. My pullet that had almost no white was really colorful very early. My black and white girls were almost all black for the first two months-no color at all. But my little Roos were all black and white as chicks and developed lots of color early.

Very pretty chick-I bet she'll be nice.

I left this question over at the yahoo marans group today and no one has responded (regarding the chick coloration as an indicator of later color). I do not remember my older Copper Blacks keeping the white very long, although they had the classic white tuxedo as hatchlings.

Yes, I saw your question. Ninjapoodles left the same question a couple weeks ago on the marans chicken club and I think maybe Bev Davis didn't understand the question. I think her response was that the chicks that don't have the white bibs will end up being completely black as adults. (like not BCs but something else)

But I had a BC chick that was completely black really, no bib at all. She had copper glints from the time she was a week old and ended up having the most color of my pullets.

 

[ninjapoodles]

Quote:
You are correct--she seemed to think I was asking what variety they were, or something. I know that they're ALL copper blacks, but I was wondering, like you guys are, if the chick coloration has anything to do with adult coloration.

I'm glad someone understood what I was getting at!

 

[ninjapoodles]

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I have formed exactly the same impression that you have. Additionally, I don't think that what we're seeing right now in these young birds is fully reflective of what we'll be seeing when they're adults.

 

[tfpets]

Quote:
I have formed exactly the same impression that you have. Additionally, I don't think that what we're seeing right now in these young birds is fully reflective of what we'll be seeing when they're adults.

My impression also - and why it is a good idea to keep up on the French Marans sites as well...they continue to update and adapt the site for everyone (France/UK/USA), and the links there are a huge help.
And again, I do love the information and debates among the knowledgable members on the Yahoo forums! Great place for education!

As for the Black Copper Marans, mine are a mix of hens from Valentine and Red Dirt Ranch, the Rooster is Wade Jeane lines...and the rooster is more colorful than some I've seen pics of, but they're just babies yet? Some of my hens have more color and some are almost completely black with just a sprinkling of copper...I wonder what they look like all grown up, I cant wait!!


Tina/tfpets

 

[Solsken Farm]

Ah, now that you mention NP's post, I do remember it. Someone must have an answer for this.

I haven't done a great job doing weekly photos with my other chicks, but I am going to try to do a better job keeping track of these hatchings with periodic photos, so maybe I'll have an answer in 6 months or so.

And the answer may be that chick color does not indicate adult color.

 

[HuestisFarm]

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Oh, they are the cutest little peepers I've ever seen! I just want to squuuuueeeeze them (but not too hard)!

 

[siz8003]

One of you guys has to help me out!

I have one Marans laying and when she lays a dark one its nice but the other times its not right

the middle ones are hers and some of the light ones are also hers. What the heck is up with this.

ps: I know they all came out of her

 

[tfpets]

My Cuckoo Marans will have a REALLY off day every now and then too. She layed an almost WHITE egg not too long ago, it was a trip. Like a chalky deposit on the eggshell, but darker underneath. She's layed a couple with dark on one end and light on the other, like she ran out of paint. I put it down to her circumstances, stress, heat, and wacky weather issues, it was really hot then very chilly...

I dont know why they dont consistently lay the same color every day, but it has something to do with their production of pigment, and how long it takes them to lay the egg - I guess some days they shoot em out too fast?? I will try to look in to it.
Your eggs are still beautiful, by the way

Oh, yeah, to everyone, just an update. Last night a predator burrowed in to my Cuckoo Marans pen, but did not get any of my Marans, it/they got a baby Delaware (I thought it was my Light Brahma - my mistake - hard to recognize minus the head) and killed my last Sizzle chick. I have a post in Predators and Pests. We are dealing with more than one, I think. Fingers crossed we get whatever it is and solve the problem soon.

Update on my predator issue: Night of 9/29/08 Traps set, everythings secure. 1 a.m. and a hen is fussing. Outside we go. We turn on the bright lights I installed and out in one the pens, that PJ, my Jersey Giant was taken from and I sealed against larger predators, there was a skunk inside!! He isnt stinky at all, so he hasnt been mad in a while. We quit running as fast.
I am now looking for sane methods to deal with skunks.

Tina/tfpets