Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[snowbird]

Why does this thread go so quiet every time the W word comes up? Is there a better thread for these pictures/questions?

For some reason not very many are posting on any of the threads at present. Will give you a straight forward answer and say that all four of these Marans pictured most likely have wheaten mixed in through the use of a wheaten male when someone could not tell the difference between. Anytime you see the Blended Males it is a good indicator that there is a wheaten influence.

I have tried to back away from the forum with the hope others will come forward with comments.

This best type female of yours has a pinched tail.

I cull all the brown soft feathered fluff birds as I think working with them is a waste of time and money. I will not accept the Marans with with or any of the other major faults or DQs. Most on BYC do not have the temperiment to cull a large enough amount of chickens to make them better. The only way to eliminate the Faults is seriously cull them out of your flock, not all can do this though.

 

[Wynette]

Most on BYC do not have the temperiment to cull a large enough amount of chickens to make them better.

I wholeheartedly disagree here. I speak to a good many BYC Marans folks off BYC and most cull very heavily.

 

[Wynette]

I wholeheartedly disagree here. I speak to a good many BYC Marans folks off BYC and most cull very heavily.

Here is a pic that I just received recently of a member's young cockerel. This is a result of several generations of culling. Does this male have any issues? Of course he does, all of them do. But, IMHO, this is an excellent step forward for this member (ETA, this bird is not from my line). I'm really proud of this young man for working so hard:

 

[snowbird]

I wholeheartedly disagree here. I speak to a good many BYC Marans folks off BYC and most cull very heavily.

Wynette, I believe you and myself would have a different opinion with the definition of culling heavy. I thought that comment would bring you out of the woodwork.

 

[Wynette]

Don, if you are wanting to "bring me out of the woodwork" just shoot me a PM. You know I'm more than happy to converse with you via that venue, as we have done so many times in years past. I don't see the good in disparaging BYC members, and speaking in such generalities is not helpful, either.

I know you have a good many years of breeding experience, Don, and I have sent several folks your way who were in need of information that I knew you'd be able to help with - and, you've been helpful to me many times in the past. I just don't understand why you feel the need to be so negative so often. Just sayin'.

If anyone is interested - when I say culling heavily, I mean keeping around 10% of what is hatched. I have not kept that much, honestly, in the last few years. I really don't care if it means I end up with a trio. My goal is breeding to SOP, with good egg color. I believe it can be done, as I see vast improvements in my own personal flock, as well as other folks, as indicated.

 

[Wynette]

Anywho...

Does anyone wish to comment on the cockerel I posted above? Here is what I see (and I have discussed this with his owner, so I am not speaking out of turn here):

Negatives:
Tail is high (owner states it usually is not held that way), back is a bit short for my personal liking, shank feathering is too sparse (does not extend down the outside toe).

Positives:
Excellent color balance, large male, good eye color, good shank color, and overall nicely balanced.

This is only my personal opinion, would love to hear what others think!! I will post another picture of him below.

 

[Wynette]

Okay, more pics. A side view and a head shot. There has been discussion in the past (and very recently on the MCCUSA Yahoo forum) about the black stripe throught he feather of the hackle. I note that this male has VERY thin black stripes through his hackle. ETA - looks like wing carriage is a bit low.

 

[flgardengirl]

I can't really see all of his leg/outer toe feathering but I like his really nice big body. Looks like his chest is dark and his copper is even, like that! I agree on the tail being a little high from the angle the photo is taken. Sometimes with the tail at a high angle, it just makes the back look shorter too so not sure on the back being actually shorter or if it is looking that way due to the tail. Longer backs are always better though. It looks like the feathering over his ear is dark and it should be copper (maybe just the photo?) Can't tell anything about the comb from that angle. Eye color looks correct.

Okay from the second photos just posted I can see he has some coppering over his ear but doesn't look all the way coppered.

I don't think his wing looks all that low.

 

[Wynette]

I can't really see all of his leg/outer toe feathering but I like his really nice big body. Looks like his chest is dark and his copper is even, like that! I agree on the tail being a little high from the angle the photo is taken. Sometimes with the tail at a high angle, it just makes the back look shorter too so not sure on the back being actually shorter or if it is looking that way due to the tail. Longer backs are always better though. It looks like the feathering over his ear is dark and it should be copper (maybe just the photo?) Can't tell anything about the comb from that angle. Eye color looks correct.

hmmmm...good point on the back possibly "appearing" shorter due to tail angle. Did you see the head shot? Looks to me like ear feathering is copper. Comb has enough points for two birds, almost (just kidding...no offense to owner). The only comb issues I personally cull for are sprigs/carnation influence.

While we're at it in providing opinions, it's a good time to post a reminder that pics are not the best way to evaluate a chicken. So - we're just going by what we are seeing in the pics.

Also, thoughts on aspects to the females that should be put with this male?

 

[snowbird]

I see very little wrong with this BC male, would like to own myself. The reason for the narrow Black stripe is because the hackle is borderline Mahogany and the darker copper color will have the narrow flame.the wide black stripe or flame that will the blended hackle and Saddle. Wing looks good to me and I see nothing wronng with the Back. Nice rounded chest and full at that. Does not have a Gamey tail. Shanks could have a little more feathers but not a problem to me.