What sex are my Marans?

[Alexandra33]

I do have one Araucana hen so between Marans, various shades of brown and white layers (not that they've started yet most of them!) and them I should be able to get some lovely colours next generation!

I'm not even sure you can get Cornish X here in France. Will the Orpington X be OK to eat? He is certainly big enough

You have all you need to produce unusual and lovely colored egg pullets!

Oh my, I hadn't even taken other countries into consideration! An honest mistake on my part. Orp X should be wonderful....my Lavender certainly didn't lack flavor.

~Alex

 

[Amer]

I still think the leakage on the chest says it isn't great quality.

 

[PouleChick]

Oh my, I hadn't even taken other countries into consideration! An honest mistake on my part. Orp X should be wonderful....my Lavender certainly didn't lack flavor.

Haha no problems! I thought I'd have a bit of a search to see what are considered good meat birds to raise here (realising I've not seen / heard of CX type birds!). I came across this list on one of the main farm shop type places website - only heritage birds considered to have good flavour by the looks of it! Orpingtons at the top of the list!
https://www.magasin-point-vert.fr/c...quelles-races-choisir/quelques-races-de-chair
• L’Orpington : Cette race rustique est utilisée pour les croisements. Sa chair est goûteuse. Elle montre de très bonnes dispositions pour la ponte (150 œufs par an).


• La Faverolles : Sa chair est fine et excellente. En revanche, c’est une pondeuse très moyenne et une très mauvaise couveuse.


• La Houdan : Cette volaille au physique étonnant a pour origine la Padoue. Bonne pondeuse, elle est surtout réputée pour sa chair d’une très grande qualité.


• La Cou-nu du Forez : Race rustique et récente, elle s’adapte à tous les climats. Cette volaille de chair (type fermière) est une bonne pondeuse d’hiver. En revanche, elle n’est pas très jolie.


• La Crève-cœur : Race ancienne originaire du Calvados, elle est renommée pour son excellente chair. La ponte est bonne au printemps, elle résiste bien aux froids rigoureux mais moins à l’humidité.


• La Flèche : Cette très vieille race originaire de la Sarthe est l’une des plus grosses poules de France. Sa chair est excellente. C’est une bonne pondeuse mais une mauvaise couveuse.


• La New-Hampshire : Cette race américaine récente est d’une grande rusticité. C’est une volaille de chair précoce et une bonne pondeuse.


• La Sebright : Chaque plume est lisérée de noir d’où une magnifique robe qui fait qu’on ne peut que remarquer cette petite poule anglaise assez nerveuse.


• La Nègre Soie : Elle doit son patronyme à la couleur de sa peau, violet-noir et à la qualité de son plumage uniquement composé d’un duvet blanc très doux. Facile à élever, cette excellente couveuse est calme et attachante.

• La Bresse-gauloise Le terme de « bresse-gauloise » est protégé par une AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée). Elle est réputée pour son excellente chair et pour être une bonne pondeuse.

I still think the leakage on the chest says it isn't great quality.

Thanks for that - I won't worry too much about eating him then! I wondered if the colouring was a bit scruffy.

Still not managed to go back out for pics, will have to wait for a brighter day now!

 

[lilmillefleur]

There’s a difference between good looking and show quality. Even if he’s not the latter, he’s definitely beautiful!

And I love the French breeds! I want them so much! Are there any not found in the US?

 

[PouleChick]

There’s a difference between good looking and show quality. Even if he’s not the latter, he’s definitely beautiful!

Well explained! I'm such a newbie to it all still on such a learning curve!

Are there any not found in the US?

Not that I've spotted so far - I'll be sure to post if I do!

 

[PouleChick]

So this is King Louis my Orp X (if anyone knows what he is mixed with I'd love ideas!).

Not sure what to do now if I'd be better keeping the little Marans roo or him. He is very gentle and never gives me any grief. I worry if I get rid of him and then the little one ends up not being nice that I'll be stuck with only 1 roo (my Araucana).

 

[Anvaha]

@PouleChick - just saw that you are in SW France. I am based in the UK. My Marans are 11 weeks old and I love them so much that I have decided to breed them. Do you know any reputable breeder in France where I can get hatching eggs from? Where did you get yours from?
I love your ones!!!! They are beautiful.

 

[PouleChick]

@PouleChick - just saw that you are in SW France. I am based in the UK. My Marans are 11 weeks old and I love them so much that I have decided to breed them. Do you know any reputable breeder in France where I can get hatching eggs from? Where did you get yours from?
I love your ones!!!! They are beautiful.

Hi, I'm not sure if my breeder has show quality birds (perhaps not from the colour leakage of my cockeral), but he is certainly a lovely guy with amazing huge runs and a great, clean set up.