Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[geebs]

light gray shanks preferred..not white... (not talking about the crosses where the white shanks show up in a cross with melanistic inhibitor)...

 

[Debbi]

Hello guys! Geebs, the proposed SOP as posted for the BCM cocks quoted here, calls for "dark slate" shanks??

Proposed SOP as taken from the MCCUsa web site



Color of Male

Disqualifications:
Brown triangular wing bay. Golden or Straw colored hackles.

The cock:
The Ideal specimen will represent a color balance of Black and Copper. The cock must be Black with Copper finery, the hackles and the small of the back are Copper colored, with a Black or slightly reddish-brown marked breast.

Comb, Face, Wattles and Earlobes: Bright red.
Beak: Dark Horn.
Eyes: Reddish Bay.
Shanks and Toes: Dark Slate, bottom of feet pinkish white.Head: Deep Strong Red Copper color.
Neck:
Hackle: Deep Copper color (mid-coppery to red-coppery, but not golden or straw colored).
Front of neck: Black with narrow lacing of Deep Copper.
Back:
Back: Lustrous Deep Copper.
Saddle: Deep Copper color matching the hackle.
Tail:
Main Tail: Black with slight luster.
Sickles and Coverts: Lustrous black with glints of beetle Green.
Wings:
Shoulders: Mahogany Red color.
Bows: Lustrous Deep Copper to match back.
Coverts: Lustrous black forming a black armband.
Primaries: Black.
Secondaries: Black (exposed portion forms a lustrous Black Triangular wing bay).
Breast: Black or with slightly Copper marks.
Body and Stern: Black.
Legs & Lower Thighs: Black.
Shank and Toe Feathering: Black.
Ear Down: Brown.

 

[Debbi]

I also had a question about the ear coverts. In the SOP, it calls for brown (see above). Is there any indication of the wheaten gene with a lighter or darker covert? My dark boys have very dark brown coverts and dark slate legs, while Pip with his part copper and gold hackles has very nicely colored brown coverts with light slate legs. Any hints as to what may be lurking underneath by looking at the color of the coverts?

 

[geebs]

Yep there is... By having too much black.. a lot can "hide"... I didn't realize there was yet another change in the proposal.. I am going to make sure I have the most current information. It will be impossible to breed true this way... dark slate doesn't breed well with proper females.. It is likely we will have show marans and breeder pens... that is about it..... White shanks are a Huge mistake as it speaks of a fouled gene, but having black shanks will not allow this color to breed true...I am working on the answer... I guess there is a change I wasn't aware of.. THanks for calling it to my attention Don. It isn't accepted yet so we will see what the finished product is.. At least we know the leg color isn't green!!!!

 

[onthespot]

green....

 

[Debbi]

Quote:
Seems to me I read that is what the French do. Seems though, there should be a way to get all the good stuff together in one bird, or more hopefully, MANY birds!

 

[Wynette]

Quote:
Ditto.

 

[geebs]

I am wondering when the deviation from the French took place.. I must have been sleeping... I have the question out there... I do see that the current website does show black.. I thought we were more closely following the proven breeding strategy of the French... There have been some changes... I will am currently looking this up. Well this will help with the white feathers but will create a whole host of othere difficulties that may become unsurmountable...

 

[Wynette]

geebsie, I would suggest contacting Bev directly; she should be able to explain the change & the reasons behind it.

 

[Debbi]

Jan ~ It's been that way for some months now. I had even brought it up in the other thread when I saw it. You may have been busy with Virgil at that time?