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

[haTHOR]

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thanks geebs! i know i am impatient but i'm not going to cull this one, i just think s/he is interesting and my curiosity is seriously piqued.

the bolded...it's very interesting that you said that (about one of my "obvious" roo pics)--you're good! that "obvious roo" has NO saddle feathers yet either, unlike the other roo shown just before it. i keep figuring the saddle is coming in later (and well it might!) but that it just HAS to be a boy, based on how it looks compared to the group and so similar to the first roo that does have saddle feathers with color. do you know what cued you in to that one being less certain? you're like a FCBM psychic, lol.

good points overall about comparing to the group. when i go back and look at the pics i took of the breeding pen i bought these guys from, there were two roos (one good, one bad) and about 8 hens, all of whom looked different. so some of my guys are likely not siblings, and some only half-siblings.

also, i have to say that when i asked about the sex of these five chicks early on (at about 2 weeks, as so many folks say you can tell by then, no problem) the response was 4 or 5 roos out of 5 birds! now we are seeing two for sure pullets, one maybe pullet, and one more that just might not be a roo. i could get 4/5 pullets if the two mysteries turn out well! it is just interesting how what you say seems to be right on--that waiting is really the only way to be sure.

i appreciate your time and sharing your thoughts. i am learning a lot!

 

[pinkchick]

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I've had roos that were not as assertive as other hatch mates and matured slower, they also like to hang out with the girls and not particulary interested in play fighting with the other boys, even upon maturity they were non-aggressive and also crowed later.

anything undesirable about using a roo like that for breeding, if all other things pointed to him being your best bet? non-aggressive sounds great...as long as he took good care of his girls and was just as virile. i have little kids in the pens all the time and like the idea!

i have another "king" roo who can do the heavy lifting with his testosterone levels.

I used one of my Marans and Welsummer roos that were like that and they were just fine, Their hen attitudes finally gave way to a lesser dominant roo that was willing to help out with a fair share of manly things around the coop, but obviously was not the chief. They were fine with the gals but were not as aggressive with them, if a gal one of them was going after didn't want anything to do with them after the first attempt, they wouldn't chase the gal and basically take liberties uninvited, they would rather leave them alone and try some other hot looking chick. My more assertive roos will not take no for an answer and give chase to the gals that snubbed them until....well you know, and they are not to gentle about it either. I didn't observe a lack of protectiveness from the lesser dominant roos.
ETA: I need to explain that when I stated that they were slower to mature that did not mean in the feathering out dept or size dept, they kept up with their brothers and counterparts in that dept, just some of them didn't play with the boys or crow as soon. They were beautiful healthy boys just not the alpha roos. I ended up rehoming both of those boys to ladies that came out to get some pullets and fell in love with the roos. One recently was reported to be having the time of his life in his new digs.....he is the only roo and loving it. Haven't heard back from the gal that got the other one.

 

[Debbi]

Wynette,

I don't know for sure that I'd call that incedent a "medical problem gene issue". If she swallowed a bunch of long grass, I would classify that more as a "stupid gene issue". Guess I wouldn't want that one passed on either!

Hope she pulls out of it for you!

 

[Wynette]

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I've had very few on my farm that I'd actually say are "smart" - LOL!

I guess to me, the thing is, I feel like "most" chickens would have been able to digest the hunk of grass without much issue. That's my worry about her. Then again, given the fact that she came through it alright and is doing well now says a lot, I guess. Thanks for your input, Debbi!

 

[pinkchick]

Hi Wynette!

I don't know that I would connect that to a genetic thing either.....I think if she is doing fine its worth a shot to try her out and see what she can produce for you. If you are not happy with the results you could always cull at that time. Who knows maybe she will give you some AWESOME offspring.

I am glad that she is doing better. I've seen my birds with a long piece of grass hanging out of their beaks and they look like they are still trying to get it down but after a little bit of time and I see that it is still there and they haven't been able to either swallow it or get rid of it I will take care of it for them as I am afraid something like what you experienced will happen. You know I've pulled a piece of grass out that was more than 18" long.....where in the heck were they planning on putting that??? Crazy chickens!

 

[Wynette]

Thanks for the feedback, Pink! I appreciate all I can get - I have learned much in the past few years, but I don't EVER want to be "finished" learning!

Guess I'll wait & see what this girl gives me for an egg and, if it's nice, hatch some babies from her in the fall.

 

[pinkchick]

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No problem my dear girl.

Finished learning.....NEVER......I'm still learning everyday....don't care what it is, someday that new bit of info may come in handy and I like having it tucked away in the old knoggin if I can retain it that long. BYC has been one of the most important learning tools for me and I am very appreciative of all members contributions.

 

[Wynette]

Quote:
No problem my dear girl.

Finished learning.....NEVER......I'm still learning everyday....don't care what it is, someday that new bit of info may come in handy and I like having it tucked away in the old knoggin if I can retain it that long. BYC has been one of the most important learning tools for me and I am very appreciative of all members contributions.

AWE....it's members like you that keep me coming back day after day!!

 

[geebs]

Hathor Thanks!!! (it will all be moot if they do get color in the saddle).. ha ha... I am only culling it as I see it (pun intended). I was turned onto this problem because I decided NOT TO CULL ANY.... Otherwise I would have done the same thing....I would be just like everyone else...I thought... How funny is it that I am so good at hatching all roosters... (NOT) and then I decided not to cull any until they crowed or laid an egg... That is when I made the realization that they were NOT all roosters in one of the breeders Wade line.

Wynette Fitzgerald Wade line rocks... I know they did a Davis line for a very short time. Of that I am unfamiliar. Cree got their stock from Fitzgerald and kept it a closed flock.. I am sprung on the egg color. If the hen lays a super darkie... I would keep her. I would put her separate and mark her eggie and hatch right away and mark the babies... Watch for a weakness... only then would I cull. If she is good in all other respects she is only 1/2 the genetics...It kinda all depends on what you already have....If you have nice Fitz line hens that are equal... Pass on her... If she is the bomb.... Work it. That is my 2 cents worth for whatever it's worth. I will be waiting to see some pix if they are the Hailed Wade line (no offense to any other line)....Just my fave. Love the fitzgerald birds and agree with you!!!! Post some photos would ya??? would love to see some now that we are a few gen down the line.

 

[Wynette]

geebs - I have two adult hens that are from Fitzgerald's Jeane line. I, frankly, hesitate to mention this, because (NO OFFENSE INTENDED) most of what I see when folks say they have Jeane lines isn't that great. However, Dave & Beth Fitzgerald purchased their stock directly from W. Jeane long before he dispersed his flocks (which is when they began to sadly deteriorate). So, I guess my two hens would be "original" W. Jeane lines (?). I was extremely impressed with the quality of them, though the cockerels lacked substance from my view. This girl who had the crop issue is a cross of one of my pure Jeane girls to a pure Davis cock. So far, the pullet is just lovely...and today is her 18 week birthday so it will not be long before I know about egg color. I just hope she's done with the crop issue and gains her weight back. I guess it might be some time before she lays since she lost weight during this issue...she's quite light right now, but has a fantatic appetite and looks great in every way.

It's difficult for me to get pics during the week, but I'll get some this weekend & post Monday.