18 week old Black Copper Marans Pullets - Wade Jeane

[johnderosa1]

I have 2 black copper marans pullets & 1 cuckoo marans pullet available. These are my culls that I got from the "official" wade jeane line in georgia. They are about 18 weeks old. The bcms are not up to standard on color/form from my perspective but should lay nice dark eggs. The cuckoo marans pullet is very pretty but I have two and only want one. These birds cost me $10 each as straight run 1 day old chicks but I am happy to sell them for $5 each. I live in Hunterdon County New Jersey. I have some really nice bcm cockerals the same age that are available from the same batch. You would have your pick of 10. Same price. Finally, I might have a limited number of 1 day old ameraucana chicks in about 10 days. It all depends on how my hatch goes. These are from 3 top lines for egg color and would run about $8-10 each for straight run 1 day old chicks. The eggs cost me that much each. They are from Peachick, Azriel and another breeder who won the egg color championship in the national meet last fall...

 

[kevinnini]

I'm looking for a couple of BCMs to add to my small flock...I live in Princeton and just saw this during a search...I doubt yours are still available but do you have any ideas? Kevin

 

[johnderosa1]

Hi Kevin,

I sold those birds long ago but I am currently hatching some BCMs from the ones I kept and might have some left over once I see what I have. It will take a while (several months) but if you are interested I would be happy to hold some for you ( 5 have hatched so far and I have 12 additional eggs in lock down right now) I would like to keep 2-4 pullets and 1 cockeral if I like what I see in any of them. If I get a decent hatch out of the 12 still cooking I will have some extras. I also have 2 roosters that I kept from the original group and might be willing to part with one of them. Let me know if you have interest in either.

The one thing I can tell you is that it is really hard to get quality stock. I have been working on getting excellent stock to build my flock of both my BCMs and ameraucana's for two years now and have found it nearly impossible. I've tried to contact the top breeders, put my name on waiting lists and bought eggs through e-bay and BYC. I could tell you lots of stories.... needless to say I am still struggling to make progress and I will be getting additional BCMs next year (I hope) to continue working on them. I feel a little better about my ameraucanas as I have some birds from 3 top lines but most of the pullets are still too young to lay. I spent $120 to get 1 pullet from 1 dozen eggs from one prominent breeder (2 hatched), incubated 5 dozen eggs from another breeder to get about six halfway decent birds (most eggs were not fertile from him). I had more success from another breeder in montana and have three good looking pullets from a total of 10 eggs from her. Time will tell as these eggs were not purchased directly from a top breeder but I think she was legit that they were direct descendants from the merideth line.


Anyway, if you are patient I will likely be able to help you out in the long run with the BCMs. if you want some potential sources I can recommend Heaven sent ranch as they have the 4 most desirable BCM lines and they seem like very nice people. I did put myself on their waiting list for this year but they never contacted me. I still would give them a try since they seem credible.


Kindest regards,

John

 

[kevinnini]

Im totally patient! I have a small flock of the usual suspects and would love to add a couple of BCMs. Considered trying to hatch a few on my own...but realized I don't know enough about it. I have a little Ancona who loves to go broody...Thought I might slip some fertile eggs beneath her sometime. I have no Roo as we are a flock of lawbreakers living in Princeton township and don't want to get pinched! Anyway, thanks for the reply, I'll take a couple or one, whatever you can spare anytime. thanks, Kevin Nini

 

[johnderosa1]

Hi Kevin,

Pretty good results from the eggs in lockdown. 8 hatched out of 12 and I helped one more out. Not sure if that one will survive, That makes 13 or 14 new BCM chicks in the brooder. I can already see that I will have some culls.... one of them is already showing "mossy" wing feathers. Not sure if you are interested in egg color, form or both. Anyway, as long as they survive I will have extra's for sure. I'll keep you up to date.

Kindest regards,

John

 

[kevinnini]

thanks a million...im interested in cool birds and dark eggs! Ill leave it up to you and follow your lead. nice job with the hatch...
you can reach me anytime at 609 658 7072...regards, Kevin

 

[johnderosa1]

Hi Kevin,

I have had a chance to look at the chicks and unfortunately most of them are feathering out to look very un BCM like. I will take some pictures tomorrow. It looks like the dominant rooster ( a huge, great looking bird with a bit too much red in its breast) fathered the majority of the chicks. Unfortunately this over expression of red has been passed on. The hens from these chicks will be large to very large, lay reasonably dark to very dark eggs but will likely look more like a female welsummer than a typical BCM. They will be cool looking but won't win any shows. I will be happy to give you 6 or 8 chicks now if you want them. They will be straight run. I also have a cuckoo marans hen about 10 months old, 1 wheaten marans that is about 14 mos old and 1 wheaten ameraucana that is about the same age that I will be willing to part with. Not sure what color the cuckoo marans egg is but the wheaten marans lays a nice dark red-brown extra large egg and the wheaten ameraucana is from excellent stock and should lay a light blue egg. I'm not sure if any are currently laying as they seem to be completing their first molt. I expect all of them to start laying again any day now... they have that look. Once they start laying I will want $10.00 for each. Finally, I have a blue "olive egger" that lays a medium olive colored egg. If you are wondering why I am willing to part with these hens I have 6 new olive eggers from my own crosses and 7 new ameraucana pullets(including 4 wheatens) from several top lines that I am growing out and need the room. Please let me know if you would be interested in any of these birds and we can arrange get together.

Kindest regards,

John

 

[iokra]

I would be interested in buying a few of the pullets you have. where are you located? I am in westchester, NY

 

[johnderosa1]

Hi,

I am in Annandale NJ. Right off of exit 20 of rt 78.

Kind regards,

John