"Pure" Marans or BRs

[Welshies]

The best thing you can do to ensure that is to know the breeder.. When I bought my first Australorps I contacted a good breeder who lives near me (he partecipates in exhibitions) and he invited me to visit his farm.. We talked for almost two hours haha I saw the parents of the chicks I bought, the giant incubator machines with the eggs inside etc I think the best thing to do is to find a good breeder, make friends with him, visit his farm and see his animals before you buy anything and see how he works.. If the breeder is sincere, he'll show you the eggs without you asking him to do it because in the case of this breed the egg color is an important factor, then you will be sure of the egg color.. If he has no patience, don't buy anything.. A pure Marans here cost enough haha If there isn't Marans breeder near you, you could buy eggs from a serious breeder and incubate them I think.

Hmmm, okay. I'm actually thinking my black hen might be a Marans crossbreed (I say cross because she has a crest). Not sure if you were on that other thread. I thought she was an Australorp but now I say australorp x Marans because she looks exactly like the hen on the Marans review page.

 

[CiceroXY]

Hmmm, okay. I'm actually thinking my black hen might be a Marans crossbreed (I say cross because she has a crest). Not sure if you were on that other thread. I thought she was an Australorp but now I say australorp x Marans because she looks exactly like the hen on the Marans review page.

Yes, I were on the other thread The fact is that also Marans do not have crests according to the standard.. so I do not think the crested hen is an AustralorpxMarans cross.

 

[Welshies]

Yes, I were on the other thread The fact is that also Marans do not have crests according to the standard.. so I do not think the crested hen is an AustralorpxMarans cross.

Well, she certainly has the body of a Marans (now that I look at her), but the coloring of an Australorp. Maybe a Maras or Australorp cross with something else like a Polish.

 

[CiceroXY]

Also crested cream legbars have crests

 

[Welshies]

Also crested cream legbars have crests

Ah, that might be another potential cross.

 

[Welshies]

Just an update: So I've decided on Friday or Monday, I'll be picking up 12 Wyandottes (5 assorted colors) for $100 ($8 each). Then, when I find the right rooster, I'll either go for a Marans roo or a Wyandotte roo. Thing is, if it's a Marans it has to have good dark eggs, or its bloodline does.

 

[Welshies]

If you can't tell I am extremely indecisive, LOL.

 

[CiceroXY]

Yeah, the Marans rooster has to be pure. I think you should ask in the Marans general thread, what kind of chocolate-coloured eggs the female offsprings of a Marans-roosterXanother-pure-breed will lay.. and what kind of breeding process/system you should follow to have chickens that are Wyandotte looking and chocolate-coloured egg layers.. I think they are surely more expert on that breed and the cross of Marans with other purebred birds.

 

[Welshies]

Yeah, the Marans rooster has to be pure. I think you should ask in the Marans general thread, what kind of chocolate-coloured eggs the female offsprings of a Marans-roosterXanother-pure-breed will lay.. and what kind of breeding process/system you should follow to have chickens that are Wyandotte looking and chocolate-coloured egg layers.. I think they are surely more expert on that breed and the cross of Marans with other purebred birds.

That's a good idea.
I think right now, the only thing determining what rooster I get (Wyandotte or Marans) is availability, and the quality. Then, whatever roo I get, I'll use in my breeding program (whether I am producing purebred Wyandottes or MaranxWyandottes)

 

[CiceroXY]

That's a good idea.
I think right now, the only thing determining what rooster I get (Wyandotte or Marans) is availability, and the quality. Then, whatever roo I get, I'll use in my breeding program (whether I am producing purebred Wyandottes or MaranxWyandottes)

Quality is the most important thing if you want to start a breeding program.. Everything will be a little bit easier