Wing It Ranch

[wrathsfarm]

If it is that just means you have options

I agree...depending on your goals I can say from lots of research and my own personal experience with Black Coppers it's hard to find a good close to SOP cockbird. Marans are a cull heavy breed. Having 80-100 birds like myself I've got more options but having only 3 this limits your breed pool. So if it is a male, hanging on to both at least until you see what type, coloring and faults show up is your best bet.
And then we'll increase your Marans #'s with 5 dozen eggs in the Spring.

#Options

 

[WingItRanch]

Honestly, I don't have the time for a breeding project. Too many other projects and I work more than full time with a long commute. My plan is just to have a good rooster and I'll pick and choose which eggs to hatch in the future. I'll probably eventually get some CCL or more EEs (maybe even true Ameraucana) for Olive Egger offspring. I'll probably hatch some chicks from my nicer looking (and darker laying) Blue Marans. Maybe I'll also hatch from my Onyx OEs since they lay a nice green. Backcrossed to a BCM should produce brown layers but maybe some even darker green?

Either way, depending on the behaviors, I may keep more than 1 cockerel. I have at least 17 hens so maybe they'll be ok, especially if there's one willing to be more submissive.

I'm just Winging It!

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Honestly, I don't have the time for a breeding project. Too many other projects and I work more than full time with a long commute. My plan is just to have a good rooster and I'll pick and choose which eggs to hatch in the future. I'll probably eventually get some CCL or more EEs (maybe even true Ameraucana) for Olive Egger offspring. I'll probably hatch some chicks from my nicer looking (and darker laying) Blue Marans. Maybe I'll also hatch from my Onyx OEs since they lay a nice green. Backcrossed to a BCM should produce brown layers but maybe some even darker green?

Either way, depending on the behaviors, I may keep more than 1 cockerel. I have at least 17 hens so maybe they'll be ok, especially if there's one willing to be more submissive.

I'm just Winging It!

See what you did there, you're already planning on hatching, and you've given thought to what exactly you're looking for, you will be a full blown crazy chicken lady by next spring I get it, I work more than full time, but there is always time for hatching, even when you say no, your ladies will have other ideas

 

[Tstraub]

I have no experience with an onyx olive egger but a quick google search says it’s a Marans X Legbar hybrid. I’ve heard those call Marsbars. Probably just different hatchery using different names for the same cross.

If you breed your Marans rooster to them any female would have a 50% chance of laying dark green and 50% chance of dark brown. Of course dark has a wide range of shade depending on the genetics of your birds. Extra cockerels would likely fall into the dual purpose size range and grow out to butcher size in about 14-18 weeks depending on your preference

 

[WingItRanch]

I have no experience with an onyx olive egger but a quick google search says it’s a Marans X Legbar hybrid. I’ve heard those call Marsbars. Probably just different hatchery using different names for the same cross.

If you breed your Marans rooster to them any female would have a 50% chance of laying dark green and 50% chance of dark brown. Of course dark has a wide range of shade depending on the genetics of your birds. Extra cockerels would likely fall into the dual purpose size range and grow out to butcher size in about 14-18 weeks depending on your preference

Yes, Ideal won't say what goes into the mix but I'm confident they are Marsbars. Some lay very dark green already, almost gold, so I think it would be pretty cool to see what the outcome would be if I tried to darken even more.

 

[WingItRanch]

See what you did there, you're already planning on hatching, and you've given thought to what exactly you're looking for, you will be a full blown crazy chicken lady by next spring I get it, I work more than full time, but there is always time for hatching, even when you say no, your ladies will have other ideas

Fair enough! I know what a pain it is to break a broody so you're probably right and I'll give in again. Although, I'd prefer someone higher in the pecking order to be the mom. I know it's not up to me!

I bet the Ancona would be a great mom. She's fierce and no one messes with her. She went broody earlier but I was able to put a stop to that. The current mom was just too determined.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Honestly, I don't have the time for a breeding project. Too many other projects and I work more than full time with a long commute. My plan is just to have a good rooster and I'll pick and choose which eggs to hatch in the future. I'll probably eventually get some CCL or more EEs (maybe even true Ameraucana) for Olive Egger offspring. I'll probably hatch some chicks from my nicer looking (and darker laying) Blue Marans. Maybe I'll also hatch from my Onyx OEs since they lay a nice green. Backcrossed to a BCM should produce brown layers but maybe some even darker green?

Either way, depending on the behaviors, I may keep more than 1 cockerel. I have at least 17 hens so maybe they'll be ok, especially if there's one willing to be more submissive.

I'm just Winging It!

It's all good, we each have our own mindset, goals and aspirations. Either way, I'm always happy to help if you need a little help or second/third opinion.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

It's all good, we each have our own mindset, goals and aspirations. Either way, I'm always happy to help if you need a little help or second/third opinion.

Or 4th or 10th

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Or 4th or 10th

Oh hell, I thought you said option

 

[wrathsfarm]

Or 4th or 10th

Exactly , and goofy comments are always FREE...by the way.


Your. Welcome.