What breed is Bertha?

[amykbennett]

Meet Bertha (darker chicken in front). Maybe 15 weeks old? Sold to us as a Blue Cuckoo Marans, which she clearly is not. But what is she??? Thanks!

 

[GermanKennhuhn]

I think she could be a regular cuckoo maran.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Looks like a cuckoo marans to me, maybe black instead of blue. The feathering looks a little inconsistent, so possibly just a little poor quality?
She's pretty!

 

[NatJ]

Sold to us as a Blue Cuckoo Marans, which she clearly is not.

If someone breeds Blue Cuckoo Marans chickens to each other, they get some Black Cuckoo (normal cuckoo, like your hen), some Blue Cuckoo, and some Splash Cuckoo (very pale colored.) All three versions are typically sold together as "Blue Cuckoo."

This typically happens with any chicken variety that includes blue.
Most hatcheries have a note somewhere explaining this.
It has to do with the genetics of the blue color. It is impossible for blue to breed true.

 

[cherrynberry]

Meet Bertha (darker chicken in front). Maybe 15 weeks old? Sold to us as a Blue Cuckoo Marans, which she clearly is not. But what is she??? Thanks!View attachment 3100310

Hatchery-quality CM pullet.

 

[amykbennett]

Meet Bertha (darker chicken in front). Maybe 15 weeks old? Sold to us as a Blue Cuckoo Marans, which she clearly is not. But what is she??? Thanks

Thanks so much everyone! I really wanted a Marans, but thought her slate legs ruled her out. Nice to know she can still be a Marans! She's a hoot - very sweet but oh so bossy!

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

If someone breeds Blue Cuckoo Marans chickens to each other, they get some Black Cuckoo (normal cuckoo, like your hen), some Blue Cuckoo, and some Splash Cuckoo (very pale colored.) All three versions are typically sold together as "Blue Cuckoo."

This typically happens with any chicken variety that includes blue.
Most hatcheries have a note somewhere explaining this.
It has to do with the genetics of the blue color. It is impossible for blue to breed true.

I agree!

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Thanks so much everyone! I really wanted a Marans, but thought her slate legs ruled her out. Nice to know she can still be a Marans! She's a hoot - very sweet but oh so bossy!

I wouldn't really call her legs slate. They look pink with a dark wash that is common in females