Marans and Back-crossed OE Breeding Project.

[Mwhit]

Hey chicken folks!

I wanted to start a thread on my Marans and Olive Egger struggles. My priorities are dark egg layers first, then eventually breeding to the SOP for the BCMs. I plan to back-cross my olive eggers and darken those up too.

For a few years I’ve been pretty obsessed with getting marans that lay on the 6-7 scale, and finally have the chance to get a flock established. I’m starting with two roosters- Ferdinand and Hei Hei (my kids named them).

Ferdinand is “over-melanised”, but has a great temperament and he comes from a pretty dark laying group.

Hei Hei is our other up and coming cockerel who also comes from a separate breeder of darker eggs.

Ferdinand is the first photo

 

[Mwhit]

I bought some hatching eggs from the same group Ferdinand came from to hopefully hatch some hens out. Terrible luck.

I candled on day 18 as I pulled the egg turner out and 5/8 had quite developing. The other 3 I couldn’t really tell what was going on so I just left them in there. I’m on day 2 of lockdown now so stay tuned!

Same with my back crossed olives. 3/4 quit developing.

 

[Mwhit]

I finally got permission from the wife to buy some chicks since I lost so many eggs, so I ended up getting some cheap marans from a guy off Craigslist. They aren’t dark but I think if I mix them with my two cockerels I can darken it up over a few generations.

My plan is to start a clan breeding system, and selectively breed for dark eggs from here. Anyways, I’m open to any feedback or opinions! Thanks for looking.

Here are the Craigslist birds and what the eggs and rooster look like:

 

[TwoCrows]

Beautiful birds, best wishes with all your breeding plans! @wrathsfarm breeds Copper Marans, come take a look Wrath!

 

[wrathsfarm]

Nice.... Another Marans thread to follow along, I recognize you from the Marans SOP thread.

I'm opposite in my program. I'm working towards SOP first as my main focus with darkening the eggs secondary. I'm pretty fortunate to have my dark egg Roo that's helping in that dept.

If I could offer one bit of advice... Find your best SOP cock from the darkest egg. The male contributes more to egg color and will darken those eggs.

Best of luck with your program.

 

[Mwhit]

Nice.... Another Marans thread to follow along, I recognize you from the Marans SOP thread.

I'm opposite in my program. I'm working towards SOP first as my main focus with darkening the eggs secondary. I'm pretty fortunate to have my dark egg Roo that's helping in that dept.

If I could offer one bit of advice... Find your best SOP cock from the darkest egg. The male contributes more to egg color and will darken those eggs.

Best of luck with your program.

Thanks! Hopefully between the remaining eggs in the incubator and the new chicks, I can get a good 3rd rooster to breed with.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Thanks! Hopefully between the remaining eggs in the incubator and the new chicks, I can get a good 3rd rooster to breed with.

I've been struggling with Type in my flock. Culled over 20 cockerels last year and kept 2 for this year.

A couple months older now, and need to get updated pics as the one on the right (white/green) tail has gotten higher.

 

[Mwhit]

I've been struggling with Type in my flock. Culled over 20 cockerels last year and kept 2 for this year.

A couple months older now, and need to get updated pics as the one on the right (white/green) tail has gotten higher.View attachment 4106296

Those are some chunky dudes. They look great. How many years in with the marans do you have?

 

[wrathsfarm]

Those are some chunky dudes. They look great. How many years in with the marans do you have?

Thanks... I started 4 yrs ago but really only got serious about breeding to SOP mid 2023. My original 5 come from Meyers hatchery.
I'm currently at 20 between the Black Coppers and BBS Silvers at the moment + 12 newborns running around and 18 more eggs going and 12-24 coming next week.

I need an intervention.

 

[Mwhit]

One started pipping ahead of schedule. let’s hope it makes it out!