Mystic Marans - Gypsy Face or Immaturity?

[Dreammaker]

Hi! My sweet little Mystic Marans is about 20-22 weeks old and still has an almost entirely black face, comb, and barely-there wattles. There is the tiiiiniest bit of pinkish tinge to her earlobes and pseudowattles No real change since we got her at 12-14 weeks. She is healthy and happy, as far as I can tell. Eats and drinks and poops normally. She's always been the littlest of our flock. Needless to say, she hasn't laid yet (only 1 or 2 pullets in our flock of 6 are laying; I know they take their time so no worries re: eggs).

I understand that Marans can take a while to mature, but I expected more redness and growth of her comb and wattles by now. Could it be that she has "Gypsy Face" and this is just how she'll look? Or, do you guys think once we're past winter solstice, she'll really take off in her "coming of age?"

Note: The person I bought her from has raised and sold chickens for a while and is very reputable, but her tiny black comb makes me wonder if she was mixed up with one of the Olive Eggers she also sells? I'm also not sure if her Marans are among the breeds she buys from a hatchery, as opposed to raising from her own stock. So maybe there was a mix-up in the hatchery?

Either way, I don't care. Just curious!

 

[Dreammaker]

Note: The lighting and camera quality make her comb look whitish. It's a bit dry-looking like my other non-laying pullets, but definitely not "white" or chalky looking. Just to clarify.

 

[pennyJo1960]

She will get there just give her time

 

[Dreammaker]

She will get there just give her time

Thank you. As long as this doesn't seem unhealthy in any way, I will enjoy her being unique and different.

 

[Dreammaker]

Update: She started squatting a few days ago and is making quite a ruckus throughout the day. She's been visiting the nesting box and fussing with straw too. I think an egg should be here before Christmas! Hopefully I didn't jinx it saying that!

Funny thing is she looks basically the same. Her black comb is getting a teeensy bit redder. It looks like a glowing ember haha. Wattles are the same way. I also realized she doesn't have a single comb like other birds; it's more like a pea comb (resembles my Brahma's). So, contrary to what 90% of what I've read says, a big red comb and wattles doesn't seem to be required to be a layer!

I'm starting to wonder if she's really a Marans after all. I guess I'll find out in due time, based on her egg color! I'll post an update.

 

[train-mail]

What a great bird love the pictures of the bird

 

[3KillerBs]

I also realized she doesn't have a single comb like other birds; it's more like a pea comb (resembles my Brahma's).

Perhaps she's a Marans-based olive egger?

 

[Dreammaker]

Perhaps she's a Marans-based olive egger?

Dying to find out! She's odd, that's for sure! I'll probably end up with an egg that makes me say "Is it brown? No, it's green. Wait, is it green? Maybe it is brown."

 

[Dreammaker]

UPDATE!!!

She just laid... an OLIVE EGG!!! Not a Marans after all! I just knew something was amiss with her comb. So proud of my little Kalamata Lady! ❤

 

[YardMoa]

Mystic Marans are black sexlinks from a Marans male and a barred Plymouth Rock. They have a couple of other names too depending on the hatchery.

It's possible she's an F2 Olive Egger cross, Olive Egger crossed back to a dark brown layer.