Wrath's Marans

[wrathsfarm]

Consider getting a USB external storage unit just for photos. They are cheap and compact (tip is from my software engineer son- aka, real life Sheldon Cooper)

I told the wife I need a laptop and shocked I didn't get dropkicked.
I'm forgetful but was very quickly reminded of 2 more incubators, Govees, shipped eggs, and more shipped eggs.


I don't see the issue....

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

@wrathsfarm would you mind giving advice on choosing a BBS Marans cockerel for my breeding project? I currently have an adult Blue copper Marans but he is not outgoing and is low in rank among the hens. He’s got to go.
I hatched some of his eggs from blue copper hens that are top rank- 7 hatched; 3 cockerels black, blue and splash. My goals are to have uniform coloring without much black bleeding in on the blues, and to have a fair mix of BBS in future hatches.

Genetically I think keeping the blue cockerel will get me to my goals, but I’m wondering if the Splash’s potential? The pullets are 1 black, 2 blue, 1 splash. The thought of breeding Splash is exciting, for sure- they are uncommon in my area.

Which would you keep? The pics are not the best. I have no intention to show these birds or represent them as SOP-I like genetics but it’s just a hobby. TIA

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

I told the wife I need a laptop and shocked I didn't get dropkicked.
I'm forgetful but was very quickly reminded of 2 more incubators, Govees, shipped eggs, and more shipped eggs.


I don't see the issue....

Right! You def need that laptop to keep accurate records of your expenses. It’s easier to get forgiveness that to seek permission-

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

@wrathsfarm would you mind giving advice on choosing a BBS Marans cockerel for my breeding project? I currently have an adult Blue copper Marans but he is not outgoing and is low in rank among the hens. He’s got to go.
I hatched some of his eggs from blue copper hens that are top rank- 7 hatched; 3 cockerels black, blue and splash. My goals are to have uniform coloring without much black bleeding in on the blues, and to have a fair mix of BBS in future hatches.

Genetically I think keeping the blue cockerel will get me to my goals, but I’m wondering if the Splash’s potential? The pullets are 1 black, 2 blue, 1 splash. The thought of breeding Splash is exciting, for sure- they are uncommon in my area.

Which would you keep? The pics are not the best. I have no intention to show these birds or represent them as SOP-I like genetics but it’s just a hobby. TIA

I’m liking that little splash fella but if you’re looking for a mix of Black blue and splash, always go with a blue as only blues can have all three in their offspring. If you pick the black, you can’t get splashes. If you pick the splash, you can’t get blacks.

If you could get some better pictures I could pick the best based on the marans standard, but if breeding SOP doesn’t bother you, just pick your favourite or the most practical (likely the blue). Or wait a bit longer and pick the best personality…

Hope this helps.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

I’m liking that little splash fella but if you’re looking for a mix of Black blue and splash, always go with a blue as only blues can have all three in their offspring. If you pick the black, you can’t get splashes. If you pick the splash, you can’t get blacks.

If you could get some better pictures I could pick the best based on the marans standard, but if breeding SOP doesn’t bother you, just pick your favourite or the most practical (likely the blue). Or wait a bit longer and pick the best personality…

Hope this helps.

Yes, that is most helpful.
I do love that lil Splash fella, too. I can take some pics this coming week—The splash is just starting to get color to the hackles- I’ll see how that turns out to give you a better idea of best. Neither splash nor blue came from a very dark egg but they were extra heavy bloom, almost a purple hue —that is a secondary goal.

Thanks so much-

 

[wrathsfarm]

Yes, that is most helpful.
I do love that lil Splash fella, too. I can take some pics this coming week—The splash is just starting to get color to the hackles- I’ll see how that turns out to give you a better idea of best. Neither splash nor blue came from a very dark egg but they were extra heavy bloom, almost a purple hue —that is a secondary goal.

Thanks so much-

I'm late to chime in, but I agree with keeping your Blue guy if you want the variation and only keeping one. Here's the 2 color charts I have saved, they're both the same.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Lil Black with her littles on an adventure.

 

[Bantambird]

I don’t breed them, I only get hens but I try to from good breeders. I’m somewhat familiar with the standard and can send you pictures from the British Poultry Standards because if I understand correctly it isn’t recognised in the American poultry SOP.
I believe the US is slowly beginning to recognise the cream legbar and is going to use the English standard (since they are an English breed), so I can’t see there being too many differences.

Edit: @Bantambird I can also send you pictures of the British breed standard for CCLs if it’s any help at all. I have no idea how much detail the developing American standard is so you might not need it

I've bred them for 12 years, although I'm not super active, I have participated in the Cream Legbar breed club activities pertaining to the American working standard, but that doesn't mean I always agree with every other Legbar breeder out there. I like the English standard. I'm pretty sure the only thing Americans are gonna change will be that they want only the blue eggs. No blue green. Mine sometimes have the blue green, but I like a little variety. I love a breed with a solid history and gimmick, and Cream Legbars deliver that quite well.

 

[Bantambird]

@wrathsfarm would you mind giving advice on choosing a BBS Marans cockerel for my breeding project? I currently have an adult Blue copper Marans but he is not outgoing and is low in rank among the hens. He’s got to go.
I hatched some of his eggs from blue copper hens that are top rank- 7 hatched; 3 cockerels black, blue and splash. My goals are to have uniform coloring without much black bleeding in on the blues, and to have a fair mix of BBS in future hatches.

Genetically I think keeping the blue cockerel will get me to my goals, but I’m wondering if the Splash’s potential? The pullets are 1 black, 2 blue, 1 splash. The thought of breeding Splash is exciting, for sure- they are uncommon in my area.

Which would you keep? The pics are not the best. I have no intention to show these birds or represent them as SOP-I like genetics but it’s just a hobby. TIA

Ill add about splash cock birds: when breeding for a particular pattern that isn't splash itself, you are better off using blues, because the splash guy could be hiding a lot of pattern faults and you would never see them because splash hides everything. I usually keep splash hens if I want to keep splash, because males add a lot of the color to your flock.

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

I've bred them for 12 years, although I'm not super active, I have participated in the Cream Legbar breed club activities pertaining to the American working standard, but that doesn't mean I always agree with every other Legbar breeder out there. I like the English standard. I'm pretty sure the only thing Americans are gonna change will be that they want only the blue eggs. No blue green. Mine sometimes have the blue green, but I like a little variety. I love a breed with a solid history and gimmick, and Cream Legbars deliver that quite well.

I've bred them for 12 years, although I'm not super active, I have participated in the Cream Legbar breed club activities pertaining to the American working standard, but that doesn't mean I always agree with every other Legbar breeder out there. I like the English standard. I'm pretty sure the only thing Americans are gonna change will be that they want only the blue eggs. No blue green. Mine sometimes have the blue green, but I like a little variety. I love a breed with a solid history and gimmick, and Cream Legbars deliver that quite well.

Yes a lot of history and a very important breed when it comes to our modern understanding of genetics. (That’s genetics as a whole, not just in chickens.) Did you that they were bred at Cambridge by Reginald Punnet, who invented the Punnet square, the very diagram we use for genetic crosses?

Indeed an interesting breed and I’m glad breeders in the states like yourself are treating them as such. I’m also relieved we probably won’t have conflicting standards like we do for leghorns and marans (unless we do…)