Quote:
Originally Posted by
ekpiojda 
Hi,
I know this isn't the best or clearest of pictures but it's all I have at the moment. This is a 2011 rooster that I raised and then gave away because I was told by the breeder that his color is considered what is called an "ugly copper". His brother is a gorgeous blue copper, exactly what I wanted. However, now the blue copper has a bum leg and I don't think I will be able to use him. I have had a couple of people tell me he is Birchen. I would love to get some opinions from a few more experienced Marans peeps as there is a possibility I can get him back. I am patiently waiting to get better photos.
Thanks in advance,
Beth

Hi! He is a Birchen. He is a nice looking boy. If you use him for breeding more Silver Black or Silver Blue Birchens your best bet, IMO, is to use another Silver Black or Silver Blue Birchen hen who has very clean clear silver hackles. This male has what is referred to as a pale gold leakage coming through in the silver. This means that he is split for gold and silver genes. Some of his offspring will show some gold leakage. If nice bright clean silver is what you are after do not use the offspring that show any leakage and only use the offspring that show good silver. Mating one of this males male offspring that has good silver hackle, saddle and wing bow color back to his mother who is nicely colored in the silver dept., should give you a nice percentage offspring that will show a nice silver color and
some offspring that may still show some gold leakage.