Opinions on the black birchen marans from greenfire

[NYREDS]

Wheaten Marans were just accepted by APA.

Did not know that. Where was the qualifying meet held?
Sadly the APA does not inform judges when a new breed/variety is added to the Standard. If we're not at the show where the qualifying meet is held or if we don't hear or read about the addition we're SOL.

 

[nunlef]

This may be a dumb question, but does the wheaten carry the columbian gene? For my own farm, I'm trying to get a blue marans with columbian markings ( I realize this may be offensive to some purists, I promise I won't try to pass them off as some kind of fabulous new variety).

I have gotten a nice light blue with a very light copper coller (sorry, don't know the real terms) but I am trying for a blue marans type with sort of wheat color columbian pattern. I don't want to throw my columbian rock in there, because I think getting the egg color back to dark would be pretty hard. But If the wheaten has that pattern, I could just get a couple of those.

Thanks

 

[OHmamma]

I know.

I have been showing Marans for two years and I have shown, Black Copper, Blue Copper, Cuckoo, Wheaten, White,Black, and Copper Splash.

Currently only Black Copper and Wheaten are APA recognized and Cuckoo are next to be added. You can show any variety even if it isn't recognized which is what I like about the APA shows. I am an APA member but I show my Marans so that people can see them and know that they are Beautiful birds that do come in more colors than just Black Copper.

 

[OHmamma]

Did not know that. Where was the qualifying meet held?
Sadly the APA does not inform judges when a new breed/variety is added to the Standard. If we're not at the show where the qualifying meet is held or if we don't hear or read about the addition we're SOL.

The qualifying meet for Wheaten was held in October of 2011 at the Crossroads Show in Indiana.

For Cuckoo it will be held at the Shawnee Oklahoma show in 2013

 

[pupchick]

Birchen marans are not hardy at all and will die from cold or wet very easily.

 

[NYREDS]

Birchen marans are not hardy at all and will die from cold or wet very easily.

Now why would Birchens be any less hardy than other varieties of Marans?

 

[pupchick]

I don't know that they are less hardy than other marans. My copper maran is strong and healthy despite my other roosters and my hens picking on him, but my birchen has a hard time with even the younger chicks.

 

[3riverschick]

Quote: You might try paintedbones , Lynnrae Troples in Pennsylvania. She brought down a Light Sussex from Canada years ago and created a strain of Columbian Marans at her place. I noticed this year for the first time, she has let some of the birds go to a breeding partner. They're the exact same genotype as Light Sussex. eWh/eWh S/S Co/Co . Lynnrae has worked really hard to recreate this old variety. The birds still have a little ways to go, but definitely an option for you.
Best,
Karen in western PA, USA

 

[tahoechick]

I just bought 3 straight run chicks for $10/ea. Saw today that Greenfire Farms charges $49/ea. I'm sure you can get some for less. I went to the farm where I bought mine and saw the breeding flock and the eggs so I knew what I was getting. (My first chicks, also got 3 Lavender Orph and some Swedish Flower) Found it through craigslist...good luck!

 

[pupchick]

Wow! That is cheap!! What area did you get them from? I.E, Fishkill, Syracuse, Pawleys Island, etc... Have you ever seen any Croad langshans? They lay purpleish looking eggs. I am also looking for some black copper marans that lay really dark brown eggs. What is a Swedish flower? Have fun with your new chicks!!!!