Marans and their type.

I am stuck with one part on the standard and come to realize that I should maybe be looking at another breed to play with. This rooster I have here appeals to me and lets just go over his type and leave the color in his tail aside.


THE SHAPE OF THE TAIL

Good Marans (cocks and hens) should always have a short tail, tilted 45° compared to a horizontal line, but is still acceptable until 60° maximum. It is the 45° slope which is required in the standard.
Beyond 60°, the tail then appears much too vertical and the back is very often too short, and the bird then lacks the minimum mass necessary for a good Marans.

To describe good tails in the Marans it is advisable to join together two essential characteristics, which are:

- main tail feathers well closed and shorter than average.

- sickles shorter than average.

Hence this cockerel would be faulted on his tail. He is not fit for the Marans type and my personal preference is too far off the Marans standard that I do not want to give up to, I like tails!

Piet

hmm interesting about short tails and sickles shorter than average, I did not know that about marans Piet...
Maybe I have to convert you over to Dominiques...now those boys have a tail!

Thanks Mirycreek. I am going to try Silver Laced Wyandottes L.F, I really like their shape and color. My flock of Marans went to a friend who I will help out/watch so that project keeps going. Very happy they were able to go in one group and to someone who is keen on working with them to improve and hopefully establish a more consistent line. Knowing that they will be looked after well and I can still watch them develop, it was not a hard decision to let go of them, otherwise I would have kept them here for sure.

Piet

Hi Piet,

You are correct on the type. This cockerel has too much leghorn type or Dominique in him. I also don't like his comb.

S/L Wyandottes, that's good. Bill Guardhouse stock I assume?

Sebas49 wrote:

S/L Wyandottes, that's good. Bill Guardhouse stock I assume?

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