Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[ashandvine]

My cockerels from the same lines have the same 'fade' in their hackles like yours. Is this something that can be bred out or is it fine for sop?
FWIW I think this boy looks really good otherwise. Its hard for me to know if he has that trapezoidal shape recommended. I don't see the chest speckling that I expected to see. Overall he is very nice. I want some babies

 

[macgeoghagen]

Quote: Is there an expected disposition from BCM? Of the 2 roosters I have, one is standoffish, the other is almost personable enough to allow me to pick him up. They are in seperate runs with their own harems, so they don't interact beyond angry looks and crows.

 

[Arielle]

My cockerels from the same lines have the same 'fade' in their hackles like yours. Is this something that can be bred out or is it fine for sop?
FWIW I think this boy looks really good otherwise. Its hard for me to know if he has that trapezoidal shape recommended. I don't see the chest speckling that I expected to see. Overall he is very nice. I want some babies

As I have read, some breeders like snowbird prefer a male without the speckling of brown on the chest. My boys in a hatch have varied from almost all black to all brown to his hocks. THe latter one became dinner.

 

[Arielle]

Quote:

Is there an expected disposition from BCM? Of the 2 roosters I have, one is standoffish, the other is almost personable enough to allow me to pick him up. They are in seperate runs with their own harems, so they don't interact beyond angry looks and crows.

My boys are not friendly, but not skiddish either. I can catch a rooster up all by my selfwhen they are free ranging. I've not had any attacks either--rather they slide out of my path when I'm about doing chores. Dependable, easy going, not friendly but not skiddish either, THis fits my farm perfectly.

 

[Ray from PA]

Is there an expected disposition from BCM? Of the 2 roosters I have, one is standoffish, the other is almost personable enough to allow me to pick him up. They are in seperate runs with their own harems, so they don't interact beyond angry looks and crows.

Happily I think most people breed toward the more docile tempermant especially in the Roos,,, of all the ones I have had here, probably 20 by now, only one was ever aggressive toward people, even when housed with hens, he wasn't around long. I have even had success in raising 4 together in the same pen until they were almost 10 months old, without any major combatting. I do believe a good, tolerant tempermant, is definitely one of the characteristics considered to be a trait of the Marans breed.

Who really wants an attack rooster around anyway, especially one of size. Just my opinion !

 

[macgeoghagen]

The smaller attack roosters are more troublesome. They are difficult to catch, and execute aerobatics as part of their attacks. The more personable of my BCM roosters once did his wing display and shuffle dance for me, but not since I trimmed his wing on one side. He is embarrased to show it off now. I would like to breed for a slightly more docile bird so that I don't have to corner them to pick them up, but not so docile that they allow the local falcon to carry off my hens. Currently they alarm and hide the hens in the bushes when it comes by.

 

[flgardengirl]

I have had a lot of Marans roosters. I think most of the Marans roos are nice respectful boys. Not overly cuddly in general but not aggressive. I have had a few mean ones here and there and a few super lovey dovey guys who want to jump up on my lap to get petted.
I do have one 'attack' blue copper Marans boy. He doesn't ever attack me. I sick him on the ones who get out of line. I say, "Whistle, get HIM" pointing at the offender...and he does!

He will chase them all over the run and give them a good flogging. He is in a bachelor coop/run with a bunch of other roos. There are two butthead roos in there that he usually whoops on. Whistle is the best boy!

 

[Ray from PA]

flgardengirl;

I looked at your Marans photos and saw the photos of your eggs, you've got some really nice coloring going on there ! Very Nice !


Which of your birds lays the darker, reddish tones ?

 

[math ace]

Is there an expected disposition from BCM? Of the 2 roosters I have, one is standoffish, the other is almost personable enough to allow me to pick him up. They are in seperate runs with their own harems, so they don't interact beyond angry looks and crows.

I have hatched many BCM cockerels.
Some are very personable. They let you pick them up with nothing more than a ba ba babaaa.
Others are more reserved, but still friendly and gentle. Take time with these birds and you can BUILD their Trust.

I have only had a couple that could be considered unfriendly.

 

[flgardengirl]

flgardengirl;

I looked at your Marans photos and saw the photos of your eggs, you've got some really nice coloring going on there ! Very Nice !


Which of your birds lays the darker, reddish tones ?

Hi, the darkest red ones are being laid by one of my younger black marans girls. I am loving that color of egg and hope I can get a whole flock of black marans laying the black cherry eggs (as dh calls them lol)..

I have some bayhorsebonnie (Donna Gherke (sp)) bcms that lay a brown red (but lighter than the black marans) very large egg. I pretty much have closed that flock because they have so many problems and only let them hatch out a few chicks per yr to keep the eggs going. It throws BTB and other oddities so I am not using or really working with that flock right now. I like their eggs for eating though lol.

As far as BCM, I am mainly working with a flock of very dark laying bcms but there is no red in those eggs at all.