Supposed to be marans from a tractor store..three pullets & a roo. Thoughts on if it is true marans

[Alexandra33]

I thought both feathered and non-feathered were acceptable and fully feathered was not a BCM trait.

From what I understand, Marans of the American Standard aren't feather-legged, while French are.

What a STUNNING roo!

~Alex

 

[IamRainey]

I know! As I said, he was NOT what we ordered and paid for (but My Pet Chicken refunded our purchase price -- GOOD people!) but I am more and more attached to him every day.

I just keep my fingers crossed that we won't upset the neighbors as we're only on 1/2 acre lots and I'd miss him terribly now if he had to go.

 

[Gilmore768]

They don't look like Marans to me. I've had some in the past. Mine did not have feathered legs either but there are both varieties.

 

[Alexandra33]

I know! As I said, he was NOT what we ordered and paid for (but My Pet Chicken refunded our purchase price -- GOOD people!) but I am more and more attached to him every day.

I just keep my fingers crossed that we won't upset the neighbors as we're only on 1/2 acre lots and I'd miss him terribly now if he had to go.

Gotta love those "oopsies!"

~Alex

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Agree, they look like Austrolorps to me, and one is a cockerel.

Edited to add: Does the cockerel have yellow feet bottoms? They look yellowish and if so, he's not an Aussie, as I previously stated. He'd be a black jersey giant.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

My BCM (who was supposed to be a female) only has very lightly feathered legs. I thought both feathered and non-feathered were acceptable and fully feathered was not a BCM trait.

I don't get the attraction of fully feathered feet. Don't they get all groddy?

View attachment 1619570

I couldn't help identify a female because we never got one. ....but I have 2 more on order for April.

I want those dark chocolate eggs too! Now maybe I'll even get chicks in time. Fingers crossed.

No, the feathered feet don't get all grody under normal conditions. You are correct that Marans legs should not be fully feathered in the same way a Cochin or Silkie should be... but heavier than what you are sporting is better... IF you are breeding to the French standard... which I am. They should not have feathers on the middle toes.

Your boy is handsome. His copper shade on hackles is more orange than I like to see after working with them for several years... but it's it's been a learning adventure. IF he does have nice dark egg genes... he will pass them on to all female offspring... and thus even regular brown crosses WILL give Marans colored eggs! Overall he looks pretty good... You lucked out with that quality from ONLY 1!

I agree... that eye color on the OP is indicative of Australorp. If they are Marans at all... they definitely aren't black copper... but feather color wasn't indicated in the OP... Not sure I buy Australorp either... Seems like combs would be taller.. But this may be relative to age, which hasn't been mentioned yet... how old are these beauties?

 

[IamRainey]

You sound very knowledgeable about BCMs, EggSighted4Life.

I've only been at chickens for about a year and a half and M. Maurice is my only rooster. He's so pretty I'm hoping I can keep him but I've heard that BCM roos are aggressive and badly behaved. Maurice has flown at me a few times recently.

How can I nip that in the bud -- 'cause I really want to be able to have him -- or is it just a trait of the breed and I should make up my mind to let him go?

When he did it I picked him up and held him for 4 or 5 minutes while the girls all got the first pass at the treats.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

. He's so pretty I'm hoping I can keep him but I've heard that BDM roos are aggressive and badly behaved.

Can I figure that is supposed to BCM? I know JUST a little and try to learn something new every day. I'm amazed at what an endless journey chicken keeping has become.

They have NOT been aggressive in my experience... which I was very afraid would be the case since they are known fighters.. They actually have been (one of) the smartest of the breeds I have worked with... Silkies being the biggest Stew Pidasso's of them all... and it ain't cute just because they are small. And aggression DOES breed forward (from females too)! They are great forager's, predator aware, BROOD circles around Silkies. Hardy... and will out up one heck of a fight if caught by a predator.

Thing is regardless of breed.. ALL are individuals. No one way is the perfect way in regards to rearing and such.

Maurice has flown at me a few times recently.

How can I nip that in the bud or is it just a trait of the breed and I should make up my mind to let him go?

How old is he now? They may go through some standard boundary testing at certain ages or even with a new season. I feel as though they haven't reached true maturity until closer to 2 years old. How each is dealt with can vary... kicking at them ALWAYS escalates their behavior.. I don't take the nice route when tested... I put up a good little chase with possibly a couple whollups from a long flexible stick (small gauge pvc pipe)... basically I make it intense enough that know if they do challenge me again they know there will be consequences that are VERY undesirable. I've only been attacked (repeatedly) by one cockerel... my very first keeper and lap boy... a Swedish Flower. He was relentless until he became stew. Since then.. all boys get handled when I want... not when they want. Some are jerks and will bite me as I try to pet and chat while others will be subdued and submit to the handling once they realize THIS isn't the moment they are leaving for freezer camp. But each time is a new experience... The Ameraucana roosters are always so confident.. I have to be semi unfriendly to them or they would definitely think they could add me to their harem. When I put them down... they need to step away. If they turn towards me or drop their shoulder to try a wing dance... school is in session.

The whole rooster dominance thing does not work for ME. But there are many threads on rooster training so I will link one...
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1149551/aggressive-rooster/10

Post number 18 has lots of interesting information... again noting it didn't work to reform my one aggressive boy... I do still think it's a good tool to help clue people in.

Sorry for a semi thread hijack!

 

[IamRainey]

Thanks so much! M. Maurice is 25 weeks old.

 

[chickenreyna]

You sound very knowledgeable about BCMs, EggSighted4Life.

I've only been at chickens for about a year and a half and M. Maurice is my only rooster. He's so pretty I'm hoping I can keep him but I've heard that BCM roos are aggressive and badly behaved. Maurice has flown at me a few times recently.

How can I nip that in the bud -- 'cause I really want to be able to have him -- or is it just a trait of the breed and I should make up my mind to let him go?

When he did it I picked him up and held him for 4 or 5 minutes while the girls all got the first pass at the treats.

That is odd..my friend has a french copper maran roo, who is a big teddy bear..i guess it really depends on bird not the breed stereotype!