Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[Chef]

Quote:
This is definetely a cockerel. It is over melanised which means the color that it is suppossed to have is washed out by black. I can see the red trying to come through. So if you are waiting for eggs from this chicken I don't think you will get any. Good luck!


Chef

 

[Dearsrock]

I had a hen do this last year. Weird to hear a "crow" when you don't have a rooster. I had to go peeking around my barn to see what was up! And she also was jumping the other hens. It only lasted about a month.

Renee
S CA

 

[sshavney]

I am going to get some better pics when I get home.

 

[Bravo]

Quote:
That looks like a girl to me! The behavior is strange but I have a BA hen who mounts my other girls.

I posted this pic on the other marans thread but here is my 6 month old pullet. I know she's a girl because she is laying but that comb is enough to make any rooster feel inadequate

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
I thought we had clarification already that this is not a DQ...I must be mis-remembering?

Wynette, I believe that Edgar had said it was a DQ before. I was never that worried about a white toe feather myself, it is real easy to get rid of if just the one. I also believe there is something in the front of the SOP also.

 

[Bravo]

Sorry the pic is so big...I tried to resize it on PB but it's not working

 

[blackbirds13]

This is on page 294 - post 2931 - I took a good look at No, 2 - which was a real hassle as that boy does not like me anywhere near him - he maintains at least a 5 foot distance it seems and he has a few white spots on a few feathers...

hmmmm.... will see if he molts them - he must be molting - thought I saw quite a few tiny quills and feathers coming up especially in his hackles but what do I know.
- glad I did this today as it really will make a difference in what I do next year. The other guy is good to go on that issue tho'. Is lighter shank color a harbinger of the dreaded white feather - his inner shank color is much lighter than the other one. And the Splash Copper has shanks that are absolutely devoid of any color, they look pink - should they be darker? I know there is no standard for Splash so does it really matter, or is there a preferance? Did not really think I'd be thinking of hatching eggs for a rooster when I got my first pullets last year.

this is the post for 2931

snowbird wrote:
BevDavis wrote:
math ace wrote:

Is there any way we can find out "FOR SURE" what the thinking is about white toe feathers ? ? ?

The white undercoat / fluff is a fault.
The white in wing or Tail feathers is a DQ. . . ..

I can not imagine ( although I am hopeful because my favorite roo does have a couple of white toe feathers) that white would be acceptable on a BCM anywhere. . . .. . Is there someone IN THE KNOW that we could contact and find out FOR SURE ? ? ?
Hi

White feathers on the toes is not a DQ, the bird might lose points but it's not a DQ.

Bev
Bev, the only thing I could find on the white toe feathering on Black is on the Black Langshan and it say there is to be no deduction for white toe feathering. I ask walt for an interpretation of the SOP and the Standards committee.
Hi don

You are welcome to look at the standard for Marans it's on this site www.maransusa.org


Bev

 

[AmiableHen]

Quote:
We really aren't trying to hurt your feelings. We really are trying to help you....

If I was selling chicks that looked like yours I would ALWAYS include a disclaimer " NOT SHOW QUALITY" marans.

My marans have issues with white feathers and I make sure that I advertise them as "NOT SHOW QUALITY", but a PERFECT bird for the backyard farmer who wants fresh eggs..... I've never had anyone walk away unhappy.

There are many folks out there that just don't care about the SOP... They don't care when they are selling or they don't care when they are buying. MOST folks have no intention of showing. They just want healthy birds, friendly birds, and eggs.

Thank you Math Ace, OntheSpot and others who are being so helpful and positive and educational right now. That is what one hopes for when subscribing to a thread, and this discussion has been Great. Whenever I join a thead, I keep up with the new entries, and slowly work my way through from the beginning. There is a wealth of information on these pages!

I agree, it is better to sell or eat the poor quality birds, and invest in some good ones. As you said, for the price of a few sacks of feed, you can have the benefit of someones years of care and knowledge, and the satisfaction of owning nice birds. I know of breeders who only keep several birds out of every hundred they hatch to use for their breeding program. It takes dedication and knowledge and an investment in much money and time to to accomplish this. If we purchase from these breeders, we can benefit from their wisdom, and support their endeavors .

Math Ace, did you purchase plans to make your own incubator? I have been very disappointed with the little bit of hatching I have done with shipped eggs, and would be interested in a homemade incubator. And I have two handy sons!

 

[Chef]

Quote:
That looks like a girl to me! The behavior is strange but I have a BA hen who mounts my other girls.

I posted this pic on the other marans thread but here is my 6 month old pullet. I know she's a girl because she is laying but that comb is enough to make any rooster feel inadequate

http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu321/Luvdobes/9ae56759.jpg

It's not the comb I'm looking at. To me it looks like red trying to come through on the saddles and hackle. Also it's feet are huge for a pullet and it kinda looks like I see some spurs coming in. I may be completely wrong but this is what I observe. Better pictures will surely help.

Chef

 

[Bravo]

Quote:
Hummm...I see what you are saying! Those are some large feet but I'm not used to seeing Marans feet/legs that arent feathered. Wonder if that makes a difference??

Now I am curious to see the OP's updated photos