BBS (Blue Black Splash) Marans - Pumperkinz

[wrathsfarm]

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Sun is washing them out today, but I ended up with 5 nice looking black copper pullets. One is almost lacking copper (has very little on hackle), but all legs/feathers on shanks are looking good. So finally on my way to quality birds. Next year working on some egg color, but mostly wanting structure and color to be good

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Looking great, my friend.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

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Sun is washing them out today, but I ended up with 5 nice looking black copper pullets. One is almost lacking copper (has very little on hackle), but all legs/feathers on shanks are looking good. So finally on my way to quality birds. Next year working on some egg color, but mostly wanting structure and color to be good

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What handsome boys!

 

[Pumperkinz]

Yeah I got lucky. Got one of each color, and once the barn goes up I'm hoping to separate some out.

How many hens do you typically keep yearly @wrathsfarm. I haven't lost any this past year is why I ask, and it's unusual I know. This is the second winter these older hens have gone through, but it's just strange to not lose any I guess is why I ask. (I added 10, but was going to do some planning for spring next year to prevent a massive oopsie).

 

[wrathsfarm]

Yeah I got lucky. Got one of each color, and once the barn goes up I'm hoping to separate some out.

How many hens do you typically keep yearly @wrathsfarm. I haven't lost any this past year is why I ask, and it's unusual I know. This is the second winter these older hens have gone through, but it's just strange to not lose any I guess is why I ask. (I added 10, but was going to do some planning for spring next year to prevent a massive oopsie).

Massive oopsie...I'm like the poster child. I just keep what I feel like, no set numbers. This is my first year with this many growouts (aound 80ish). Last year I only hatched 50 or so and only kept a few maybe 5..I forget. This year I've done more test mates so I've kept a few of those to see egg color and body structure. Some of best I've kept also for dark layers...example I've got Raven and kept 2 of her daughters last year...W/W and Doro W/R but lost Doro this year. So I hatched I think 5 more from Raven, 5 from W/W, and have 4 of Doro's progeny. Waiting for egg color before selling any of these and will keep the 2 Doro daughters for legacy.

But I haven't run numbers yet for what exactly I grew out or sold yet so mainly just guesses there. I'm close to sold out now except for my keepers until egg color, tho. I THINK I'm down to roughly 30 in Kongs coop from 68 total at one point. Again, a guess.

 

[Pumperkinz]

Massive oopsie...I'm like the poster child. I just keep what I feel like, no set numbers. This is my first year with this many growouts (aound 80ish). Last year I only hatched 50 or so and only kept a few maybe 5..I forget. This year I've done more test mates so I've kept a few of those to see egg color and body structure. Some of best I've kept also for dark layers...example I've got Raven and kept 2 of her daughters last year...W/W and Doro W/R but lost Doro this year. So I hatched I think 5 more from Raven, 5 from W/W, and have 4 of Doro's progeny. Waiting for egg color before selling any of these and will keep the 2 Doro daughters for legacy.

But I haven't run numbers yet for what exactly I grew out or sold yet so mainly just guesses there. I'm close to sold out now except for my keepers until egg color, tho. I THINK I'm down to roughly 30 in Kongs coop from 68 total at one point. Again, a guess.

I kept 10 lol. The one blue hen I had had barring show up, so I gave her to a friend.

So will end up having a bunch of BBS. The only two mating the hens are the Splash & BCM. The barred guy is the lowest one of the totem pole and would rather sit in my house lol. I'm probably going to move him over the mixed flock, with my original rooster, and I'll end up have one of each rooster so will be a roll. I'm also going to try and find some splash hens for next year as I have 0.

The demand for pullets was crazy too, people were selling non-show quality at $20 a head (14-16 weeks). One person had some buff orps at $40+. So I think market is up cause feed is nuts maybe.

 

[Pumperkinz]

Couple photos of the boys today.

 

[Pumperkinz]

@wrathsfarm How do you feel about them now? Some are slightly molting as its COLD now lol. But I'm really liking this little girl on the bottom and of course the boys.

 

[wrathsfarm]

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@wrathsfarm How do you feel about them now? Some are slightly molting as its COLD now lol. But I'm really liking this little girl on the bottom and of course the boys.

Stunning... that blue guy is massive and your girl is spot on. Congrats, my friend.

 

[Pumperkinz]

Stunning... that blue guy is massive and your girl is spot on. Congrats, my friend.

I really do like the blue boy. He's a bit of a psycho, but I sorted through all the bad hens and screwy tailed boys to get somewhere good I think.

I'm in the middle of goose prepping right now though, so next spring is going to be chaos I feel already lol.

 

[wrathsfarm]

I really do like the blue boy. He's a bit of a psycho, but I sorted through all the bad hens and screwy tailed boys to get somewhere good I think.

I'm in the middle of goose prepping right now though, so next spring is going to be chaos I feel already lol.

Lol...I'm finally back down to a decent number now. All my pullets are keepers now til I see egg color. Still got 9 boys to select thru, but it's manageable.

I say that knowing full well there's 48 eggs in the bator due Monday....