Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[CristinaB]

X2 on the wings.... he seems to have it on both sides. I will say he is the VERY NICE otherwise. Please don't feel like we are beating you up. If you breed him you will have to CULL REALLY HARD for the white feathers and the split wing issue. It could still pop up down the road.

I don't take offense at all. I would like to show and breed these birds but finding good stock is quite difficult. Culling is one option I could try, I have no issues taking birds to the butcher at 4 months to keep the ones that are not desirable out of my breeding program. His temperament and good shape might be worth working with, but I wanted some opinions. I have not yet caught him and taken a good look at those wings, it could be feather loss as he is a bit ragged looking right now, probably from molting recently. I will update with a good set of wing photos soon. Thank you for the honest pointers, this will help me improve the breed and hopefully go on to have some lovely champions!

 

[Chickenman01]

Who has the best Black Copper Marans That sells birds and Hatching Eggs, That are true French Black Copper Marans?

 

[Wynette]

Since lots of opinions are flying and we are all showing off our boys... Here is the bird I acquired last week. I plan to cover my two hens with him. Hoping for some beautiful babies. Of course, I would love feedback on what the experts (or more experienced) think of this boy as a good choice for a breeder. Lots of pictures.


Left Side

If this male's wings are without issue, I quite like him. DRATS that he has the white coming into his tail, though! What a bummer. A couple of comments - thanks for posting so many pics, it makes it a bit easier to provide feedback.

The two pics above are perfect examples of why it's so difficult to provide really good feedback; looking at the top picture, it appears this male has an excellent topline (back angle). Running downhill from base of neck to base of tail, just as it should, at almost exactly the right angle. But, look at the bottom picture. He appears completely flat (and does in most of the rest of the pictures also). That back angle is a tough one (at least I have found) to breed consistently for.

While this male has issues (possibly split wing & white tail feathers) that should not be used in breeding, he is an EXCELLENT example of what we call "color balance." Ideally, the hackle & saddle feathers should be exactly the same shade. This male has it all going on in that department!

I do not find him to be well balanced overall; he's a bit front heavy. However, I don't think you mentioned his age...? I'm also not super keen on his body shape, which is more like that of a Rhode Island Red (sort of a brick shape - if you cut off his head/neck & tail, and tops of legs so you'd just be looking at his body cavity, it's shaped like a brick). But, that would not be a deal breaker for me, personally.

(all my personal opinion, I don't claim to be an expert.)

 

[snowbird]

I would consider the above male colorwise to be more like a Mahogany Color. Notice the real narrow Flames in the Hackle. His ear Tufts also appear to be Mahogany color also.

 

[Ihilani Coffee]

First-Ever Hatch update: 1 Marans chick hatched and drying, one more 1/3 zipped, 1 more pipped. The 1/3 zipped one is breathing and moving but resting a lot. How long can it take from the time they start zipping? I'm willing to wait, but not willing to let it die without trying to help if I need to. (4 other barnyard mix chicks also out.)

 

[mamashomestead]

Who has the best Black Copper Marans That sells birds and Hatching Eggs, That are true French Black Copper Marans?

X2

I'd also love to know!!!!

 

[SIMZ]

First-Ever Hatch update: 1 Marans chick hatched and drying, one more 1/3 zipped, 1 more pipped. The 1/3 zipped one is breathing and moving but resting a lot. How long can it take from the time they start zipping? I'm willing to wait, but not willing to let it die without trying to help if I need to. (4 other barnyard mix chicks also out.)

Every now and then I've had a chick that seems to take forever once it starts. I can't put a definite time on it, but I wouldn't consider there to be a problem until several hours have gone by with no progress. In my limited experience (15+ hatches), I've only had one chick die in the egg that had made definite progress beyond pipping, and I try to wait several hours before "helping" (if I even do). As long as it's still moving and trying it's probably doing fine.

Someone may have a better answer because I'm pretty impatient. It seems like "forever" after 20 minutes to me, so I'm not sure on how long it actually can take. lol

 

[Wynette]

Goodness, it can take up to 12 hours. I've even had them zip about 95% of the way and then rest a few hours. Talk about nail biting!

BEST of luck on your hatch, ihilani!

 

[Ihilani Coffee]

First-Ever Hatch update: 1 Marans chick hatched and drying, one more 1/3 zipped, 1 more pipped. The 1/3 zipped one is breathing and moving but resting a lot. How long can it take from the time they start zipping? I'm willing to wait, but not willing to let it die without trying to help if I need to. (4 other barnyard mix chicks also out.)

There are now four Faverolles X EE, 2 Faverolles X ?? (options are SLW, SS, or cuckoo Marans...there were also Welsummer X hens but I don't believe any of the viable eggs are Wellie X). One blue copper Marans out, the one slow zipper Marans (it rests and then tries again, so I figure it's just working in its own time) and another one starting to zip. One more Faverolles X ?? zipping like mad, 2 more Fav X EE pipped. Four unpipped yet out of 16.

(I know it's a BCM thread but my Marans eggs are a BCM sire X BCM and BBS pullets.)

 

[Ihilani Coffee]

Every now and then I've had a chick that seems to take forever once it starts. I can't put a definite time on it, but I wouldn't consider there to be a problem until several hours have gone by with no progress. In my limited experience (15+ hatches), I've only had one chick die in the egg that had made definite progress beyond pipping, and I try to wait several hours before "helping" (if I even do). As long as it's still moving and trying it's probably doing fine.

Someone may have a better answer because I'm pretty impatient. It seems like "forever" after 20 minutes to me, so I'm not sure on how long it actually can take. lol

Goodness, it can take up to 12 hours. I've even had them zip about 95% of the way and then rest a few hours. Talk about nail biting!

BEST of luck on your hatch, ihilani!

Mahalo for the encouragement. It is much appreciated. The slow zipper is still completely wet in there so I'm not too worried. I keep cheerleading from outside the clear door. This was a 15-20 year old incubator and I'm glad I spent the $70 to put that acrylic door on it. I'd be tearing my hair out if it still had the solid wooden door on it!