Wheaten and Blue wheaten Marans Discussion Thread

[Debbi]

Quote:
I dont think it is, but I read it a lot. My BCs are all mixed and I'm happy with them.

Disregarding egg color for the moment what other breeds could be brought in to eliminate the white puffball?

Joe

Problem is, egg color can't be disregarded. Without the color being at least a 4 on the egg color scale, they are technically not a Marans. Bringing in other breeds, in my mind, should be avoided. Seems like breeders have done this in the past without much success and have lowered the egg color. Breed what you have, breed better for the next generation, and hopefully continue to do that with each following generation. JMHO

 

[call ducks]

Quote:
Disregarding egg color for the moment what other breeds could be brought in to eliminate the white puffball?

Joe

Problem is, egg color can't be disregarded. Without the color being at least a 4 on the egg color scale, they are technically not a Marans. Bringing in other breeds, in my mind, should be avoided. Seems like breeders have done this in the past without much success and have lowered the egg color. Breed what you have, breed better for the next generation, and hopefully continue to do that with each following generation. JMHO

technically it is a Marans, and Genetically it is a Marans, it may not be Considered a Marans though

 

[knjinnm]

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I understand the problem of egg color. How much egg color is lost in F1? F2's would be offspring of F1 back to a pure Marans to recover egg color and eliminate, in my example, the white puffball.
It would take multiple back and forth crosses and with good record keeping achievable IMO.
Joe

 

[Medicine Man]

i hope my post abut mixing LINES did not confuse anybody to think I meant BREEDS.

 

[Medicine Man]

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perhaps not so big a deal but that is called B1 not F2.

 

[snowbird]

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Problem is, egg color can't be disregarded. Without the color being at least a 4 on the egg color scale, they are technically not a Marans. Bringing in other breeds, in my mind, should be avoided. Seems like breeders have done this in the past without much success and have lowered the egg color. Breed what you have, breed better for the next generation, and hopefully continue to do that with each following generation. JMHO

technically it is a Marans, and Genetically it is a Marans, it may not be Considered a Marans though

You apparently have different ideas in Canada. If you breed a Marans to any breed other than a Marans , you have a cross breed chicken. It would be a mix breed and that is what already is wrong with the Marans in the USA already, Mix breed junk. Don

 

[knjinnm]

Quote:
No I understood what you meant.

 

[blackdotte]

OK, I thought it might be a line producing show winners with no regard to egg color and another line producing dark egg color.

That is also what some breeders are doing in some countries. The introduction of Russian bred Black Coppers, after the Germans had eaten nearly all French poultry in World War 2, was a disaster for egg colour. It took many years to eliminate the problem.

White feathers can be genetic in origin, or due to a damaged feather follicle. A plucked white feather often re grows the correct colour; or appears after a moult where there were previously none.

In my personal experience, from experiments I have done in the inheritance of the dark brown egg colour, it has taken at least 5 to 6 generations back crossed to the original breed (Marans) to obtain the required colour.

Re the "cotton tail" this is a common fault in most breeds. Mostly due to hormonal levels in the males, part of normal morphology. As I said Standards describe the IDEAL or Perfect bird which is not necessarily achievable. I personally would not be over concerned about it.
David​

 

[pinkchick]

Quote:
That is also what some breeders are doing in some countries. The introduction of Russian bred Black Coppers, after the Germans had eaten nearly all French poultry in World War 2, was a disaster for egg colour. It took many years to eliminate the problem.

White feathers can be genetic in origin, or due to a damaged feather follicle. A plucked white feather often re grows the correct colour; or appears after a moult where there were previously none.

In my personal experience, from experiments I have done in the inheritance of the dark brown egg colour, it has taken at least 5 to 6 generations back crossed to the original breed (Marans) to obtain the required colour.

Re the "cotton tail" this is a common fault in most breeds. Mostly due to hormonal levels in the males, part of normal morphology. As I said Standards describe the IDEAL or Perfect bird which is not necessarily achievable. I personally would not be over concerned about it.
David

Thank you David!!!!! Always a pleasure to read your posts. Thank you for sharing your experiences and expertise.

 

[pinkchick]

Quote:
That is also what some breeders are doing in some countries. The introduction of Russian bred Black Coppers, after the Germans had eaten nearly all French poultry in World War 2, was a disaster for egg colour. It took many years to eliminate the problem.

White feathers can be genetic in origin, or due to a damaged feather follicle. A plucked white feather often re grows the correct colour; or appears after a moult where there were previously none.

In my personal experience, from experiments I have done in the inheritance of the dark brown egg colour, it has taken at least 5 to 6 generations back crossed to the original breed (Marans) to obtain the required colour.

Re the "cotton tail" this is a common fault in most breeds. Mostly due to hormonal levels in the males, part of normal morphology. As I said Standards describe the IDEAL or Perfect bird which is not necessarily achievable. I personally would not be over concerned about it.
David

So, one can assume that it (white fluff and white feathers in the hackle and tail) is not necessarily indicitive of Wheaten? And we may or may not be able to breed it out?