Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[math ace]

Judging by the comb on the first one, it looks like you have a cockerel and a pullet.

 

[pinkchick]

jm~ The bird in the first photo is definitely a rooster. Is the other bird photo'd the same age as the first bird and do you have another photo of the second bird in question?

 

[DMRippy]

Looking for sexing help. What do ya'll think 2 roos or roo and pullet? 9-10 weeks old. The first one really has the copper coming in right now.

Roo and pullet.... I think... some still have me guessing and mine are older. The roo with all the copper, might be over colored and not good for breeding. Just keep an eye on him. If it was a pullet she would lay a dark egg probably.

 

[jmanderson777]

yes they are the same age. ill try to get a better picture of the second one. it wasn't cooperating with me this morning in the drizzle. What do I look for to determine overcoloring?

 

[marquisella]

yes they are the same age. ill try to get a better picture of the second one. it wasn't cooperating with me this morning in the drizzle. What do I look for to determine overcoloring?

Read the Standard for BC Marans. It explains the colors for both sexes. The comment about over color in the cockerel comes from the standard that says that the roosters breast should be mostly black with not more than 10% copper. In your photo, your cockerel already has a lot of copper sprinkled throughout his breast and it will only get more coppery with age.

 

[Jenikate]

"True" may be in the eye of the beholder. Every country has its own version of "true". Loads of folks selling Marans like to say they are from such and such lines. Be careful with that too. How many generations back??? Even one generation removed can pump out garbage. Especially with a breed as new as Marans. Do some research and buy from a reputable breeder. Decide what you want and then judge the birds you see. Also, Marans are ALL about the egg colour. Make sure to ask to see their egg colour.

Thank you for that comment, and I did all of the above Pleasantly hoping for a hen to get those eggs!

 

[flgardengirl]

Judging by the comb on the first one, it looks like you have a cockerel and a pullet.

x2 would be my guess if they are the same age.

Hey Math where ya been hiding??

 

[math ace]

x2 would be my guess if they are the same age.

Hey Math where ya been hiding??

Just been crazy busy with Family issues. . . .

I finally did my Spring hatch. They are a couple of weeks old and I have another set of eggs in the incubator now. PLUS, I have TWO broodies. I have a third hen that has chicks a couple of weeks old too.

I've got two young roosters that I am working with. I have found that the best way to get your hens to do what you want to is to let your roosters handle it for you. The only way that works is if you have a working relationship with your roosters. That takes time and patience to develop. So, I have two young roosters, a speckled sussex and a BCM that I am working with.

GARDEN... I am not getting much time out there. When ever I get a chance, I am out there. I just pulled over 100 onions out of the ground. I will be harvesting green beans soon. I just got the 30 or so tomatoe plants staked and tied. I have potatoes that I am watching too. They are just starting to flower, so it may not be much longer before harvest on those.

There is more, but that is the bare bones. Family, Chickens, and Garden are taking ALL my time and not leaving much time for BYC....

 

[flgardengirl]

Sounds like you have been very busy and your garden sounds great! It must be all the rain lately, I have been harvesting green beans for a week and we ate them all so far lol. My garden is doing awesome this year as well except my onions...darn olive eggers ate them all but I replanted them with basil because I noticed they didn't eat the onions that were between the basil plants..go figure.
Are your broody hens BCMs? I have a BCM raising some silver sussex babies and she is doing a fabulous job with them.
I am hoping to set some BCM eggs in another week or so. I just hatched out a bunch of Silver Marans and some regular cuckoos last week and a ton of silkies. Its kinda fun to have chicks in the house again lol.
Hope your dad is doing okay.

 

[Arielle]

Question--how do I test a rooster to know if he is a FBCM? I have a group of 4 black coppers growing up with a motley crew and I'm not sure if some are FBCM or sons of my black sexlink roosters. Is there a clue on the wings???