Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[sarahkatie]

What about mine, any thoughts?

Total newb here... But his tail looks very similar to my cockerels.... And as that's a dq.... I prob wouldn't use him to breed Bcm's..... Beyond that, I wouldn't know

 

[chicken pickin]

Really? I don't feel like he has squirrel Tail. He was in an alert stance in the first pic. I have other pics if needed.

 

[sarahkatie]

Really? I don't feel like he has squirrel Tail. He was in an alert stance in the first pic. I have other pics if needed.

..... I will still claim newbie status... And I've heard time and again that pics aren't as good as seeing it in person. You know your boy better than a pic can show... And I am just starting so my opinion shondntvreally carry too much weight.... So be sure in take the opinion as its offered... Just an opinion from a beginner

 

[marquisella]

He is over melonized. which means he is too black with too little copper and could produce hens without copper hackles. Another hint is that his ear feathers are not brown as they should be. Its hard to tell what he is like as far as body, better pics are needed. His tail is on the high side but not squirel.

Quote:

 

[math ace]

Really? I don't feel like he has squirrel Tail. He was in an alert stance in the first pic. I have other pics if needed.

Other pics would be helpful.

He needs to be standing, not leaning over or standing on one foot.
Get one from the side, one from the top, and a close up of the comb while you are at it.

 

[math ace]

Total newb here... But his tail looks very similar to my cockerels.... And as that's a dq.... I prob wouldn't use him to breed Bcm's..... Beyond that, I wouldn't know

The tail does look very high.
Sarahkatie, A squirrel tail occurs when the tail has an angle higher than 90 degrees.
Chicken Picken's cockerel looks to be around 75 degrees. It is very hard to tell what it is for sure since the bird is standing on one foot.


The SOP for marans calls for the tail angle to be 45 degrees for the roosters...

 

[chicken pickin]

Thanks for all every ones input. I will try to get good pics of him tomorrow from the angles you suggested.

 

[Broad St Farm]

Really? I don't feel like he has squirrel Tail. He was in an alert stance in the first pic. I have other pics if needed.

This post is mainly for Sarakatie. Chicken Picken yours is very very close. It is great to see some people passionate about thier birds. It is very difficult to post pictures of them asking for thoughts on them. These forums are difficult sometimes. There are no perfect birds. However, YOU need to set goals on what you are hoping to do. We see 3 types of people on here. 1. Want nice birds for the backyard. 2. Breed the heck out of the birds simply for a profit disregarding making the birds better with SOP standards. 3. Strives to make the best bird possible while trying to breed to SOP. Nothing wrong with selling them as long as your honest with people. The hardest thing about breeding is honestly looking at your birds remaining impartial do to emotion. There are outlines written for the birds. Even if your bird is on alert it should not go past a 90 degree angle from his back. What I mean is draw an imaginary line from the base of his tail strait out perpendicular from his back. If his tail passes that line it's a squirrel tail. It has to be 90 or under I do believe. 45 is perfect. There was a post that Wynette commented on a breeder link. Click on that breeder link and you will see a lot of tails like yours. When you breeding for the core foundations or conformation, you don't want to start with squirrel tail.

Final note, again it's hard to hear criticism sometimes. But if your serious, you owe it to the birds, yourself and any customers whom you sell them to to do your best. I'm in no way questioning your integrity. I'm putting myself in your shoes. I love my birds. Hate drama, that's why I try not to post much. There are several people on the Marans thread who can help you with a ton of knowledge. I myself was very fortunate to meet one of these individual and she so happened to live very close to me. She has been a godsend. So ask questions and if you ask please listen to the opinions. After that decide for yourself.

 

[sarahkatie]

Final note, again it's hard to hear criticism sometimes. But if your serious, you owe it to the birds, yourself and any customers whom you sell them to to do your best. I'm in no way questioning your integrity. I'm putting myself in your shoes. I love my birds. Hate drama, that's why I try not to post much. There are several people on the Marans thread who can help you with a ton of knowledge. I myself was very fortunate to meet one of these individual and she so happened to live very close to me. She has been a godsend. So ask questions and if you ask please listen to the opinions. After that decide for yourself.

Thx for the feedback

.... I've been lurking a lot for the last 5 months or so, posted a few times but not that often as I didn't feel I my birds were old enough yet to constructively critique.... I would like to think I'm #3... Honestly, I'm attached to having chickens... Not so much to any specific individual bird

Now as my pullets start getting to pol ill be posting pictures of them and their eggs for critique, as well as hunting for a rooster to make me some decent chicks next year. And maybe show some of my girls....

I've read through the entire thread twice, and search keywords often, but as a very visual person, who often learns by seeing, doing, then seeing again... It's hard to trust my own instincts first. I'm glad I was right about my boys tail being too high as that means I'm learning something

I'm definitely actively looking for a local mentor, in addition to a new/better roo

Thx again.....

 

[sarahkatie]

This post is mainly for Sarakatie. Chicken Picken yours is very very close. It is great to see some people passionate about thier birds. It is very difficult to post pictures of them asking for thoughts on them. These forums are difficult sometimes. There are no perfect birds. However, YOU need to set goals on what you are hoping to do. We see 3 types of people on here. 1. Want nice birds for the backyard. 2. Breed the heck out of the birds simply for a profit disregarding making the birds better with SOP standards. 3. Strives to make the best bird possible while trying to breed to SOP. Nothing wrong with selling them as long as your honest with people. The hardest thing about breeding is honestly looking at your birds remaining impartial do to emotion. There are outlines written for the birds. Even if your bird is on alert it should not go past a 90 degree angle from his back. What I mean is draw an imaginary line from the base of his tail strait out perpendicular from his back. If his tail passes that line it's a squirrel tail. It has to be 90 or under I do believe. 45 is perfect. There was a post that Wynette commented on a breeder link. Click on that breeder link and you will see a lot of tails like yours. When you breeding for the core foundations or conformation, you don't want to start with squirrel tail.

Final note, again it's hard to hear criticism sometimes.

Btw.... I really hope I didn't offend anyone...

Chicken pickin, I only responded to your request for feedback because I didn't want you to feel ignored... Not because I had any delusions of knowledge or selfimportance...