Black Copper Maran???

[CluckingLucky]

I bought 8 BC Maran chicks this year from a hatchery, they were hatched in early April. Only 3 of them were hens, so we are keeping them. Although one is almost completely black. She’s really beautiful but lacks the copper color hackles of the two other pullets, and all of the BC maran cockerels.

Wondering if this bird may be a mix or perhaps a black maran?

The hatchery where I bought them doesn’t sell black marans, only BC marans but they do sell black Bresse.

 

[JedJackson]

Bresse chickens should have white earlobes, not red like yours does. There is a lot of variability to coloring in black copper Marans females. I've seen a lot with little to no copper. So I am guessing that is the case with yours, especially if she lays dark eggs.

 

[CluckingLucky]

Thanks @JedJackson ! Excellent point about the earlobes, and the variation in BC marans.

One of the BC maran cockerels we have is more blonde than copper. It’s a cool color, but not nearly as attractive as the copper, IMO.

 

[Winderdear]

Your bird has feathered legs as well, which isn’t a Bresse trait as far as I know, but is found in Marans.

 

[CluckingLucky]

Totally agree @Winderdear !
I guess I was just wondering if maybe it was some kind of BC maran & black Bresse mix.

Probably more likely to just be a BC maran with no copper

 

[ShrekDawg]

Totally agree @Winderdear !
I guess I was just wondering if maybe it was some kind of BC maran & black Bresse mix.

Probably more likely to just be a BC maran with no copper

I think it’s just a hatchery quality Marans. They can vary a lot. I once ordered bantam Cochins in the birchen color (white/cream/kinda silvery on neck) and one of them barely had any birchen color while my cockerel and other pullets had tons. Also I ordered 4, they threw in an extra who was black which they do sell black BCs so yeah. I also had some with very poor quality foot feathering and others were great. Also ordered another breed from them that was crested and bearded and one of them barely had any crest and was clean faced! So anyway! Point being that hatcheries aren’t always the best quality lol nothing to worry about as long as she lays you nice eggs

 

[JedJackson]

Thanks @JedJackson ! Excellent point about the earlobes, and the variation in BC marans.

One of the BC maran cockerels we have is more blonde than copper. It’s a cool color, but not nearly as attractive as the copper, IMO.

Hmmm, he might be a birchen/copper mix. It's a pretty color.

 

[Winderdear]

Totally agree @Winderdear !
I guess I was just wondering if maybe it was some kind of BC maran & black Bresse mix.

Probably more likely to just be a BC maran with no copper

Ah sorry! I didn’t read your post carefully enough