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

[Andora]

When do Marans normally start crowing? I'm still trying to figure out which of my four are roos, if not all. The for sure rooster started crowing the other day, but he sounds like a baby lamb baaaahing. It's so funny! Even funnier because he looks so proud of himself for producing that noise. I think they are about 12 weeks old now.

 

[hungryhensfarm]

Quote:
Nice pics. That roo is absolutely gorgeous! He doesn't look like a sex link to me though.

 

[ruth]

I am thrilled to report that I will be buying Mr. Jesse's (Black Copper King) entire flock of B. C. Marans. I hope to be able to begin a breeding project that focuses on dual purposes - egg color and conformation. However, from what I understand, conformation is still largely debatable and standards are still being established. I don't think I will ever have time to show the birds, and that is not in my plans at all, but, around here, I've learned to never say "never". Who knows? I could end up flying to every bird show, county fair, and judging event around.

 

[GracefulBantams]

I am so excited for you, ruth's-owner

 

[old mill poultry]

Good for you ruth. I actually will be getting some chicks to be sent out on june 1st. I think I'm one of the last orders of his, hopefully will get a nice selection of hens and roos.

 

[ninjapoodles]

Quote:
The standard for BCs is already established, and despite what just a couple of people (one in particular) are saying, it's pretty much identical to the French standard. A lot of squawking (pun intended) was done a few months back over a hen who was shown, who people felt should've been disqualified under the breed standard. It was thrashed up and down the Internet, and to the French club, as if that bird was somehow representing the Marans Chicken Club as the perfect ideal of a BC Marans. Honestly, it was the stupidest kerfuffle I've ever seen, and I've been involved in dog showing, so that's saying something. Having a standard in place does NOT mean that magically every bird ever shown at every show will be the picture of perfection. Sheesh.

If you're familiar with and comfortable with the French standard for BCMs, you'll be perfectly happy with the standard in this country.

I'm glad you're getting this flock, and anxious to see what kind of improvements you can make through selective breeding. Lots of potential there!

 

[drom]

Quote:
The standard for BCs is already established, and despite what just a couple of people (one in particular) are saying, it's pretty much identical to the French standard. A lot of squawking (pun intended) was done a few months back over a hen who was shown, who people felt should've been disqualified under the breed standard. It was thrashed up and down the Internet, and to the French club, as if that bird was somehow representing the Marans Chicken Club as the perfect ideal of a BC Marans. Honestly, it was the stupidest kerfuffle I've ever seen, and I've been involved in dog showing, so that's saying something. Having a standard in place does NOT mean that magically every bird ever shown at every show will be the picture of perfection. Sheesh.

If you're familiar with and comfortable with the French standard for BCMs, you'll be perfectly happy with the standard in this country.

I read those posts and I don't think anyone reading them believed they were sincere. The level of belligerence was too obviously weird and inappropriate. It would be pretty hard to believe it was simply due to ignorance of the proposed standard or the plan to just get as many birds as possible in to the ring (even if they aren't perfect) in the early stages so the numbers are there to get the variety considered for acceptance.

One funny thing I've observed as an impartial bystander, is that every time someone wanders in to that forum ranting and trying to discredit and discourage people from participating, the opposite thing happens; there's always a bump in the number of posts and pictures and people asking questions about egg shows, etc...
People are not stupid and are very turned off by negative behavior.

 

[drom]

Quote:
That's great Ruth. Congratulations and best of luck with your breeding program! I hope he's ok. I read a while back he had some health issues. He seems like a very nice man.

 

[lildinkem]

The standard for BCs is already established

I raise several varieties of Chickens. And I found that the Marans, especially the BC's are far more likely to get sick and die then my others.
I attribute this to way too many breeders focusing on the lines and not focusing on the health of the breed. Until we get people together what is more important, preserving these precious lines OR creating a darker egg, the BC's and other Marans will always be a weaker breed.
I have 5 different lines of BC's and Birchens, from all different breeders. I am a member of MOAC, #50. I say FORGET keeping these lines pure. Intermix your best birds from your best lines. I have about 25 Marans. I will breed for the long haul, the Feathered legs. And still have the NON feathered leggers around for the dark eggs. And forget isolating ALL my lines from each other in the name of a buck. To all who insist on protecting your precious lines, talk to me in 10 years. See how your lines are then. Till then GOOD LUCK.​

 

[KellyHM]

They're finally laying!!!!

My hen's 3rd & 5th egg w/ a RIR egg for comparison. Each one she lays is getting darker w/ less speckles.

Here are the "kids"