Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[Zanna]

They were pretty dark on the stomachs... I wish I took some good pictures to show but never quite got around to it . They have no white feathers at all.., the black is very , well... Black if that makes any sense

Hmmm, I am literally a genetics idiot, just forced to learn what I had to to work on getting rid of the recessive white. But, I would have to agree with Donna, something must be genetically out of whack with those chicks. Have hatched some Olive Eggers, or now called Olivers? BCM hens x Blue Ameraucana cock produced some black chicks with no white. Would love to see some pics. when they mature. I wonder if a Black Copper crossed with Blue Copper might cause the lack of white in the chicks, anyone??

 

[Zanna]

Isn't that the truth! I am growing 8 of the LP chicks out. Mine were also solid black, no white. Interesting, none had any mossiness, which I've seen in other lines, and none had any middle toe feathers, another fault that crops up. So not all bad! Mine are only just shy of 3 weeks, so too early to tell anything else. I don't plan to cull any early on like I would if I hatched them myself. Will grow them all out and see what's what. I would like to know @DMRippy , where it is stated that BCM chicks MUST be black and white? Because the birds pictured on the LP website are to die for, they look fantastic. If some of these all black chicks turn out like that, I'm not complaining about chick down color!

Interesting! I know you will keep good records, please share as you can!

 

[desertmarcy]

Hmmm, I am literally a genetics idiot, just forced to learn what I had to to work on getting rid of the recessive white. But, I would have to agree with Donna, something must be genetically out of whack with those chicks. Have hatched some Olive Eggers, or now called Olivers? BCM hens x Blue Ameraucana cock produced some black chicks with no white. Would love to see some pics. when they mature. I wonder if a Black Copper crossed with Blue Copper might cause the lack of white in the chicks, anyone??

I do not think so. I've use Black Copper males over my Blue Copper hens, when I first starting breeding the Blue Copper because I didn't have a Blue worth breeding. The chicks were indistinguishable from pure Black Copper chicks. I don't recall getting any that looked like these LP chicks.

 

[desertmarcy]

Interesting! I know you will keep good records, please share as you can!

Yes, I do, they are all wing banded so I can keep track. I should take some early on photos, but that's where I see to lack the time, taking photos and labeling them what is what. Right now, they just don't seem interesting enough to photograph. Just a bunch of black chicks.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
No.... those chicks will still have white just like black coppers.

 

[DMRippy]

I am pretty sure that genetically Er chicks should have white on them. I think it might have more to do with the birchen gene in them but I only know enough genetics to scare me. LOL.

 

[johnderosa1]

I am pretty sure that genetically Er chicks should have white on them.  I think it might have more to do with the birchen gene in them but I only know enough genetics to scare me.  LOL.

Donna, that's at least one level above mine... I dont even know enough to scare myself!

 

[scflock]

When birds are not up to par most breeders just sell them as dark egg layers and don't put a breed tag on them.  $15-20 for what?  Chicks or started pullets?  I sell chick for anywhere from $6 - 12 each (depending on color and quality).  Started pullets over 4 months are $30-35 each.  My blue coppers are a little more and cuckoos are more.  My Lavender Coppers will be a LOT more. 

I sell started pullets for $15, all but give roosters away. I wish you were a little closer so I could see your birds and have you educate me on them. I've been looking locally online this morning, and there just isn't much to choose from. Ads on Craigslist calling them "show lines" show birds that don't look a thing like the good examples I have seen in this thread. I think selling them as dark egg layers and not putting a breed to it is a good idea, and if I end up raising these and hatching chicks, that's what I will do. I may also get some from Marcy just to grow out in another pen so I can do a side by side comparison so I know what I am looking at in the future. In the meantime I am really enjoying the education I am getting from this thread

 

[Metella]

what is the difference between blue copper and lavender copper - when I see pictures of "blue" and "lavender" birds - they all look a nice shade of dove/soft grey to me. Pretty - but no blue or lavender.

So when you said a lavender copper - my mind just pictured a blue copper .... and I am sure there is a distinction !

 

[Ihilani Coffee]

what is the difference between blue copper and lavender copper - when I see pictures of "blue" and "lavender" birds - they all look a nice shade of dove/soft grey to me. Pretty - but no blue or lavender.

So when you said a lavender copper - my mind just pictured a blue copper .... and I am sure there is a distinction !

Lavender is "self blue" recessive and that light color you described. Blue is a dilution of black. The first photo is a lavender olive egger, the second is an Isbar, but an example of dark blue on the cockerel: