Wheaten Maran

[RACHELLE85]

So I bought 2 doz Chicks at an auction two weeks ago and all they said was they were wheaten maran. Most of them have leg feathers but several of them do not. Is that common or have I been duped? Is this a breed you have to cull heavily to keep the standard? I’ve never owned this breed before.

 

[Melky]

Here is some information on Marans: https://www.roysfarm.com/marans

https://briarwoodpoultry.weebly.com/wheaten--blue-wheaten-marans.html

I think Wheaton’s are pretty.

 

[Spartan22]

I think if you post some pics, some of the Wheaten Marans enthusiasts might help you identify. On my knowledge with Marans some standards have feet feathers some do not. All my French Black Copper Marans that I got from a reputable breeder have feet feathers but the 2 that I bought from a hatchery called Black Marans do not.

 

[Alexandra33]

Are you able to attach pictures for us?

I've never seen clean-legged Wheaten Marans, but then again, these are/were of French standard. American standard Marans lack feathered legs, as far as I know.

~Alex

 

[aart]

Buying pure breeds at an auction is a crap shoot.
Depending on your goals, they might be some mixes in there,
or not the greatest representation of the breed.
Could be they came from a great breeder, but they are culls(not quite up to snuff).

 

[Melky]

I haven’t owned them myself and do not cull birds. Mine are laying hens and pets but the information above points to a friendly docile birds that lays dark chocolate eggs similar to other Marans. There is French Wheaten and Blue Wheaten see above. Leg feathers are typical in a French Wheaten Maran but light feathering.

 

[RACHELLE85]

I haven’t been on BYC in years so I’m new to how you upload hopefully these pics upload and they’re outside under heat lamp do not good pics.

 

[RACHELLE85]

That last little chicks pic has like one feather clump by its toe and a bit at the top of leg and that’s it none in the middle! Lol I saw a grown trio in the back of the auction and they were wheatens and I made my husband by them all! Including eggs lol but I don’t think they all came from the same breeder. We may keep a few but probably sell a bunch off since we’re gonna have so many hatching soon!

 

[RACHELLE85]

Yeah I’m not sure on that they just said wheaten Marian and then when another lot came up one said blue wheaten. So I was just thinking they were French? I did read somewhere that said the French did have the leg feather and when the British got a hold they breed it out so I just wasn’t for sure if it was a breed confirmation that they have leg feathers or not. I don’t wanna sell anybody my chickens later on and tell them wrong. But that’s what I get for buying at an auction I guess lol

 

[Melky]

Yeah I’m not sure on that they just said wheaten Marian and then when another lot came up one said blue wheaten. So I was just thinking they were French? I did read somewhere that said the French did have the leg feather and when the British got a hold they breed it out so I just wasn’t for sure if it was a breed confirmation that they have leg feathers or not. I don’t wanna sell anybody my chickens later on and tell them wrong. But that’s what I get for buying at an auction I guess lol

Keep in mind most chicks may not be fully feathered in till 6-8 weeks. Full maturity on feathering near adult charactersistics are at 16-20 weeks. Could sell the ones that have no feathering on leg if means that much to you and discount a little. Bargain bin and explain to those buying. If not breeders buying it won’t mean that much to them unless showing or breeding. Everyone loves a cheap deal. Glad to know culling means selling here.