Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[Pozees]

Newly hatched BCM chicks from a couple of years ago. They can hatch with a brown spot on head but I have never seen that in my breedings. Hope this helps!

It does, thank you I was not sure how much feathering to look for, for one thing, there are a few with just a few feathers on the legs from a mixed flock that includes Marans, so I wasn't sure whether the pure Marans would have a fair amount of leg feathers or just a few. They look like they all have "bibs" as well, that definitely helps!

 

[Melne]

Went to the WCOP show today. Only saw about 6 Black Copper Marans. There was about 2,000 birds there. I think was a nice turnout.

 

[Zanna]

Some pure Marans chicks come out with no feathers on their legs even if both parents have feathers. I have not had this happen either but you will probably just need to wait a week or two to be sure what you have. I hatched some Olive Eggers, Ameraucana Dad x Marans Moms and they looked much like the Marans chicks but had darker legs, slightly darker feathering, no feathers on their legs and puffy cheeks but they were not that noticeable the first few days. Here is a pic. :

 

[SIMZ]

Regarding the copper/brown on the chicks' heads: I remember this being discussed at some point, but can't remember what was said about it.

My chick has a copper smudge on the top side of his head, closer to his eye. I don't see on the other side. It seems someone had correlated that to adult coloring or something. Any ideas?

 

[Pozees]

So as a general rule they should have light colored legs? Do they ever have pretty heavy feathering or is it sparse to non-existent? Or is there the complete range of variation?

Thanks so much for the pictures and help, I really appreciate it!

 

[Zanna]

So as a general rule they should have light colored legs? Do they ever have pretty heavy feathering or is it sparse to non-existent? Or is there the complete range of variation?

Thanks so much for the pictures and help, I really appreciate it!

The legs should end up slate coloured but often start lighter coloured. The leg feathering can be a range. In my chicks what they start with seems to be what they end up with. If they have middle toe feathers which I can't remember without looking up is a fault or a DQ, they end up staying.

 

[DMRippy]

So as a general rule they should have light colored legs? Do they ever have pretty heavy feathering or is it sparse to non-existent? Or is there the complete range of variation?

Thanks so much for the pictures and help, I really appreciate it!

You should look at the SOP for Marans. But what they will look like will VERY WIDELY.

 

[Pozees]

You should look at the SOP for Marans. But what they will look like will VERY WIDELY.

I quite agree, I was just looking for help with identifying a chick I hatched that is a BCM which hatched alongside others that look very similar because they came from a mixed flock that includes some Marans and Dominiques. I think the ones with the yellow head spot I can rule out as Dom crosses. The rest I'm less certain of, there are some with very dark legs and a few with very pale legs, and I wasn't sure if one or the other was common/expected for BCM chicks.

 

[DMRippy]

They can be nearly impossible to tell apart in a mixed flock. I keep all mine separated at hatch and I toe punch so I can keep track of each line.

 

[Rswann]

I live in Hayden Alabama and I am looking for Marans Black Copper or Blue. Does any one know where I can find any.