Who Has the Best Marans?

[Fairview01]

I think you should decide what you want. Great egg color or great conformation. Very rarely will you find anyone with a line that is exceptional in both regards.

I purchased 2 dozen eggs from marans unlimited near Austin. She does quite well at shows. I will have no problem setting up 3 breeding pens of exceptional quality pairs however these pairs will be my P1s and my work and culling will be just starting.

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

I think you should decide what you want. Great egg color or great conformation. Very rarely will you find anyone with a line that is exceptional in both regards.

I purchased 2 dozen eggs from marans unlimited near Austin. She does quite well at shows. I will have no problem setting up 3 breeding pens of exceptional quality pairs however these pairs will be my P1s and my work and culling will be just starting.

I'll take that into consideration, but I would still like local. You know what? I should get a pair for show and a pair for eggs and try to blend. I've got a hen right now that's nearly two and lays the darkest egg in the henhouse. A 5, I think. I'm going to hatch a batch of hers come December.
*edit
She wasn't always the darkest layer. I had several pullets that I sold that gave me a 7 pretty often. I think it was actually her chicks, but I never checked.

 

[Fairview01]

I'll take that into consideration, but I would still like local. You know what? I should get a pair for show and a pair for eggs and try to blend. I've got a hen right now that's nearly two and lays the darkest egg in the henhouse. A 5, I think. I'm going to hatch a batch of hers come December.
*edit
She wasn't always the darkest layer. I had several pullets that I sold that gave me a 7 pretty often. I think it was actually her chicks, but I never checked.

When it comes to egg color, egg size is probably a nearly equal consideration. Also before you purchase consider that different varieties of marans supposedly have different abilities when it comes to laying the darkest eggs. I will snap some pics of my 12 week old wheatens and post later today.

 

[Fairview01]

If I didn't do it right now I'll never do it. Here are my wheatens. Please disregard the camera hogging riffraff in the pics. For 3 months I think they look wonderful but when I break them up into breeding pairs this winter I have no idea how the genetics will combine. Undoubtedly we will be eating far more than will be saved for grow out and even fewer as breeders.

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

View attachment 1064723 View attachment 1064726 View attachment 1064732 If I didn't do it right now I'll never do it. Here are my wheatens. Please disregard the camera hogging riffraff in the pics. For 3 months I think they look wonderful but when I break them up into breeding pairs this winter I have no idea how the genetics will combine. Undoubtedly we will be eating far more than will be saved for grow out and even fewer as breeders.

It's kind of hard to tell when they are that young, but I think they have good tail angles. Mine really need that.

 

[Fairview01]

I wish they would stand still like when I'm not taking pics. Can't really say until after first molt. I'm excited. I don't have time to show right now but I'll be breeding to that end even if I never show again. A matter of personal pride I guess. I like good looking stock. Doesn't cost anymore to feed nice ones as it does mutts I figure.

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

I wish they would stand still like when I'm not taking pics. Can't really say until after first molt. I'm excited. I don't have time to show right now but I'll be breeding to that end even if I never show again. A matter of personal pride I guess. I like good looking stock. Doesn't cost anymore to feed nice ones as it does mutts I figure.

True, true! And it is hard to get a good photo. Chickens runs aren't exactly scenic if you know what I mean. But its all part of the fun.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

When it comes to egg color, egg size is probably a nearly equal consideration. Also before you purchase consider that different varieties of marans supposedly have different abilities when it comes to laying the darkest eggs. I will snap some pics of my 12 week old wheatens and post later today.

Egg size is a good point.

So I think it's egg size, color, and quantity. 3 large eggs per week might be just as good as 5 medium.

I will likely never show... but I will definitely be breeding towards the French standard of perfection in my Black Coppers. And NOT giving up my egg color or production as they have in some breeds.

Even though it is said that certain varieties lay darker than others.. partly depends on the line. Seen blues put out the same color or better than black coppers.

My most recent hatch of 9 (from new stock ladies bred before arrival) ended with 8 boys and somehow the only girl doesn't have feathered legs.
Now on to breeding my newer ladies with their unrelated suitors!

 

[3riverschick]

If I Were You ,original poster ,I would go with the LP Birds. they're pure French, no US blood.
you can play with them for a while. they're beautiful birds and later on you can go ahead and talk to Brenda about which line they would do best with... maybe Heaven Sent Farm or ??? or you can keep them pure. but if it was me, I would go with LP Birds. .
I have known Brenda for years I consider her a honest person and I think she cares very deeply about the quality and the purity of her Birds.
Best,
Karen

 

[3riverschick]

Does anybody know if you can show English Marans eggs at Marans egg shows?
Thanks,
Karen