Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[Debbi]

Quote:
I'm not sure I understand what you want to reoccur? The feathered shanks? They should have feathered shanks and outside toes. The pullet being blue? Blue Copper x Blue = 50% Blue Copper and 50% Black Copper. That is if you had had a larger hatch, it would be 50/50%. You didn't say how old she is, but if her dad was a blue copper, she now carries the copper gene, even if she never shows any coppering herself. How'd I do?

 

[Birds & Eggs]

We are new to Marans, and wanted to know what age Marans typically start laying? Here are a picture of our Silver Birchen Marans. They are coming on 6 months old. Thanks for any info!!!

 

[Debbi]

Birds & Eggs ~ Are you sure she's not laying already? Her comb and wattles look pretty red to me. I see you are in TX, and I know it's really hot there, but it is here too. If they are free ranging during the day, she may be hiding eggs on you. I can't tell you about Birchens, I only have Black and Blue Coppers. Seems different color varieties seem to get to POL at different ages. Here, my earliest has been 17 weeks, and the latest was 26 weeks. I'd keep her penned up for a few days, if possible, and see if she isn't laying already. That's just me, others may have a far different opinion!

 

[Birds & Eggs]

Thanks Debbi!!! That helps alot. They are not free ranged, I just put them on the grass for a picture. LOL I guess any day I will find a egg. Its soo hot here so maybe the heat is effecting them.

 

[Debbi]

The heat will most definately slow them down! My older girls are almost stopped, but then they've been laying since last November, and they are molting on top of it! I have two new layers just within the last couple of weeks, but it's been few and far between an egg. At this point, with this awful heat and humidity, I'm just glad they are all alive!

 

[Birds & Eggs]

Yes this heat is horrible. I agree, I am glad we haven't lost a bird to this heat as well.

 

[onthespot]

Nice tailsets on the birchens. I'd like to see more depth in the breast area, but they are young still. Nice birds!

 

[seabreeze]

Love your very silver Birchens! Where are they from?

 

[Birds & Eggs]

Thank you onthespot and seabreeze. We got them from a gal in Florida, I lost her website I cannot find it. I know on their website they mostly raise Arabian horses. If I can find it, I will post.

 

[CrittersNPets]

Quote:
I'm not sure I understand what you want to reoccur? The feathered shanks? They should have feathered shanks and outside toes. The pullet being blue? Blue Copper x Blue = 50% Blue Copper and 50% Black Copper. That is if you had had a larger hatch, it would be 50/50%. You didn't say how old she is, but if her dad was a blue copper, she now carries the copper gene, even if she never shows any coppering herself. How'd I do?

These were culls so both the "parents" have clean legs. Just the chick has feathered legs. I was pleasantly surprised (since I bought culls just for pet flock) to see this. Guessing both parents carry a "gene" for this? Does this clarify. Again, just in this for my own flock, so hopefully breeders not offended. I totally get that I'm a newbie/backyard breeder for fun and not trying to offend. I'm in it for eggs/meat. And Debbi, that was a very clear and helpful info - thank you for that