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

[GracefulBantams]

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Thanks!

 

[ruth]

My BCM's are the broodiest breed of chicken I have. The latest broody's babies are making their appearance. I snapped these yesterday as they darted in and out from under the mama. She has two so far and still has 4 eggs left but the eggs are different ages because every time she got off the nest others would lay another egg. So I finally put her in a kennel in the coop so she could sit in peace.

I just love it when they hatch their own babies.

 

[monarc23]

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adorable!!! I hope mine go broody i'd love ot let them raise their own!

 

[ninjapoodles]

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I've posted tons here about my birds I got from him last year, but I think the flock he has now is different, a little, from the one he had then. I started with 8 roos and 12 pullets, and culled, culled, and culled some more, selecting the most correct specimens from what I had to choose from, who are laying nice-colored eggs. That has left me, currently, with ONE rooster and THREE hens that I'm comfortable using to breed the next generation.

It was a good start in the breed, and I'm grateful for the chicks I started with. Just be aware that they're all over the place as far as conformation goes.

 

[60ACRES]

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Why do you think that is? Do you think its in the bloodline?


*I would really like to know.

 

[Freckle Face Farm]

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I can't wait to see mine with their own chicks...

 

[monarc23]

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Why do you think that is? Do you think its in the bloodline?


*I would really like to know.

I think what ninja is saying is that since everyones jumping on the bandwagon of marans for their eggs many aren't focusing on conformation as much as they could because they are focusing on egg colour. Which is fine as this breed is still pretty rare considering (here in the US). Just gotta get from the best you can and cull cull cull (or in my case find nice layer homes for them if you can't find it in you to really cull them )

 

[ninjapoodles]

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Why do you think that is? Do you think its in the bloodline?


*I would really like to know.

I think what ninja is saying is that since everyones jumping on the bandwagon of marans for their eggs many aren't focusing on conformation as much as they could because they are focusing on egg colour. Which is fine as this breed is still pretty rare considering (here in the US). Just gotta get from the best you can and cull cull cull (or in my case find nice layer homes for them if you can't find it in you to really cull them )

Yup.

And specifically, yes, I do think it's the bloodline. Each one has its own quirks, strengths, and challenges. It's up to the breeders to learn those things and work with them. Even the very best flock, when bred for volume, and not too selectively, is going to start expressing particular traits that may not be desirable for the breed. And the smaller the flock, the faster that's going to happen . That's why you're seeing people who only have a handful of birds popping up with sports in their very first generation of breeding.

Not that faults or sports are anything to be ashamed of, or should devalue an entire breeding effort. It's just genetics, just nature. It happens. It's whether you learn from these occurrences--what you do with the information--that matters.

 

[Wynette]

Stated quite well, and I agree, Ninja! For buyers, you should do your research and KNOW what you are getting. Reputable sellers will provide pictures, pictures, and more pictures of their stock and eggs, and good ones will even send eggshell samples for you to see first-hand.

Another issue is that there is a limited gene pool of good Marans here in the U.S. IMO, there are lines where the birds are absolutely GORGEOUS, and to the standard being proposed to the APA; however, because of line breeding, fertility and hatchability have been compromised (again, just my opinion in what I have experienced). It's a catch:22. Line breed for best traits and to eliminate worst ones...but after so long, fertility goes down. But, outcross and you take the risk of egg color getting light. You have to be so careful crossing lines...again, research is essential!

 

[shabbyfarm]

Three days and no posts ??

I have never seen that before ?? Did this Thread get killed in the Reorganization ?

Or did i do it by posting a couple of times ??