sarkymite Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 Hullo all For a bit of fun, here is a pic of my 8 week old Cuckoo Marans chick. Opinions please: boy or girl? And do we think it shows characteristics of being pure cuckoo marans or might it be a bit of a mixture? Looking forward to your answers!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 11, 2019 Share Posted October 11, 2019 Male by head gear, female by stance and female feathers except looks like some are snapped. So I say transvestite. Pretty bird but no help at all. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick Chick Posted October 11, 2019 Share Posted October 11, 2019 Im not sure to be honest, but agree it is a pretty bird. Would be great to see another photo in a few weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted October 11, 2019 Share Posted October 11, 2019 My cuckoo maran had huge head gear, almost wore it like a beret! The older she got, the smaller it shrunk though. First is about 12 weeks next she's older, then the day after hatching. Ahh miss my Tipsy - she was a special. Yours looks older than 8 weeks though Agree - would be interesting to see in a couple of weeks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted October 11, 2019 Share Posted October 11, 2019 I'm going to plump for hen based on body shape! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted October 11, 2019 Share Posted October 11, 2019 I'm probably completely wrong, but there's something in the face that makes me want to say 'boy'. But I admit I have absolutely no idea why! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie&Moose Posted October 11, 2019 Share Posted October 11, 2019 I'd say boy. The comb, feathers (barring) and legs look male to me - I've hatched several batches of the bantam version of the breed this year and this one looks very like our males at a similar age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Crazy Posted October 11, 2019 Share Posted October 11, 2019 (edited) It is a boy. Girls don't go stripy at that age. We have hatched quite a few of these this summer, and have male and female at the same age and some 4 weeks older, and all the boys look like this and the girls darker and not so stripy. However if you handle them they make lovely cockerels. A picture of ours at around the same age and he is definitely pure. Best of luck. Edited October 11, 2019 by Chuck Crazy Added picture 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted October 11, 2019 Share Posted October 11, 2019 Cockerel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarkymite Posted October 11, 2019 Author Share Posted October 11, 2019 17 minutes ago, Chuck Crazy said: It is a boy. Girls don't go stripy at that age. We have hatched quite a few of these this summer, and have male and female at the same age and some 4 weeks older, and all the boys look like this and the girls darker and not so stripy. However if you handle them they make lovely cockerels. Dang! Yours seems the most authoritative answer so far. I was certain he was a boy to start with but then less certain in the last couple of weeks as his tail feathers seem really quite rounded. He is lovely, very tame indeed so far and cuddly, so will definitely find a lovely home in due course 😁 Sadly won't be able to keep him myself though - don't think the neighbours would be too pleased at roo no.2 😂 8 hours ago, Valkyrie said: My cuckoo maran had huge head gear, almost wore it like a beret! The older she got, the smaller it shrunk though. First is about 12 weeks next she's older, then the day after hatching. Ahh miss my Tipsy - she was a special. Yours looks older than 8 weeks though Definitely 8 weeks as I hatched him myself and I was convinced he was male from the minute he hatched until just recently when I've not been so sure. "He" came out of the egg with huge headgear! I'll try to find a pic and post it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted October 11, 2019 Share Posted October 11, 2019 Ah bantie boy then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarkymite Posted October 11, 2019 Author Share Posted October 11, 2019 Here are 2 pics from when "he" was just a few hours old. You can see why I instantly thought boy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted October 11, 2019 Share Posted October 11, 2019 Yep - sure can. I’ve hatched pekins and Wyandotte’s and although I’m sure it was just luck all my hatch day suspicions so far have been right (and all boys but one 🙄) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarkymite Posted November 9, 2019 Author Share Posted November 9, 2019 Ok a little update. "He" is now 12.5 weeks old. There has been little by way of development of identifying features, no sign of tail feather development for example. Still making baby cheeping noises so no clues there either. Headgear hasn't got any bigger, spur buds haven't got bigger. The rear view pic whej i study it closely, naybe just a hint of saddle feathers, more in the shape and positioning?? Maybe "he" is just developing quite slowly due to the time of year and the weather?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted November 9, 2019 Share Posted November 9, 2019 Looks like a girl to me. We had lovely cuckoo marans pullet; she looked exactly the same at 16 weeks. She was such a softie, even though she was the largest of the three Marans we bought. The other two bullied her terribly though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie&Moose Posted November 9, 2019 Share Posted November 9, 2019 Definitely a boy. My youngest batch of this year's birds is the same age and the difference between the males and females is very striking - my boys all look like yours; the girls have hardly any comb development yet and no wattles, and their combs are only slightly pink. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarkymite Posted November 9, 2019 Author Share Posted November 9, 2019 3 minutes ago, Minnie&Moose said: Definitely a boy. My youngest batch of this year's birds is the same age and the difference between the males and females is very striking - my boys all look like yours; the girls have hardly any comb development yet and no wattles, and their combs are only slightly pink. I was thinking as much having been looking at pics online. And the beginning of the saddle shape feathers at the back looks very male. I wonder if I can keep him long enough to get some fertile eggs from my other birds?? If I breed him to an araucana I should get olive eggers, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie&Moose Posted November 9, 2019 Share Posted November 9, 2019 Funnily enough I've just acquired some araucana 'wives' for Dave, one of this year's cockerels - with exactly the same hope/plan! Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 9, 2019 Share Posted November 9, 2019 2 hours ago, Minnie&Moose said: Funnily enough I've just acquired some araucana 'wives' for Dave, one of this year's cockerels - with exactly the same hope/plan! Good luck. Haha, thought I might find you on this thread! It isn't easy at this time of year, but my money's on a boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie&Moose Posted November 9, 2019 Share Posted November 9, 2019 10 minutes ago, The Dogmother said: Haha, thought I might find you on this thread! Yep - can't resist a cuckoo maran - big or little😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarkymite Posted November 16, 2019 Author Share Posted November 16, 2019 (edited) I'm so sad this morning. I went down to see to the birds and counted only 9 in the run, realising instantly that it was my precious chick missing. Found him in the cube nest box, he has died overnight 😔 I didn't see the birds yesterday but my partner says he was fine and no signs of anything wrong. I've had a thorough feel/look all over his body and there is nothing externally obvious. He was from the outside looking physically perfect. He was just starting to grow the beginnings of a little cockerel tail. I'm at a loss, no idea whatsoever what could have happened. The other 9 in with him all look in fine shape to me. I hope he went really peacefully in his sleep. I wish I knew what had happened. Edited November 16, 2019 by sarkymite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted November 16, 2019 Share Posted November 16, 2019 Oh that’s horrible - sorry to hear it ☹️ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted November 16, 2019 Share Posted November 16, 2019 How sad for you 😥 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 16, 2019 Share Posted November 16, 2019 I am sorry to hear that - it's not easy to deal with when it's that unexpected. Possibly a heart attack. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie&Moose Posted November 16, 2019 Share Posted November 16, 2019 So sorry Sarkymite. If you're anywhere near north Oxfordshire and would like a bantam cuckoo maran boy replacement - I have some lovely spare lads at the moment. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
