Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[Sahwithchicks]

Thanks! I am growing out the first bunch of chicks from these girls, I won't know how dark the second generation lays for 4-5 months. I am just going to be on the look out for someone willing to sell some of their dark dark eggs.

 

[DMRippy]

Thanks! I am growing out the first bunch of chicks from these girls, I won't know how dark the second generation lays for 4-5 months. I am just going to be on the look out for someone willing to sell some of their dark dark eggs.

With my birds, I hatched mostly the darkest eggs last year and have seen a big improvement in color this year. You can improve the color if you are wanting to just work on that. Type and color are bigger problems to get BOTH.

 

[maryhysong]

With my birds, I hatched mostly the darkest eggs last year and have seen a big improvement in color this year. You can improve the color if you are wanting to just work on that. Type and color are bigger problems to get BOTH.

i have ended up with 9 pullets from 2 breeders. 1 girl has a horrible pendulous crop so she's out right off the bat. I am waiting to see what the others finish up looking like and what color eggs they lay. Then I will make some choices for breeding. I have an idea and will have to wait and see if it pans out. If the darkest layer is not also the best type, then I would breed both, keep the best looking pullets from the darkest layer and breed to a son of the best typed girl, at the same time starting a separate line from the best type birds. I would hope in a couple generations this would bring the type and egg color closer together.

Like I said, just theories to ponder...

 

[Sahwithchicks]

With my birds, I hatched mostly the darkest eggs last year and have seen a big improvement in color this year.  You can improve the color if you are wanting to just work on that. Type and color are bigger problems to get BOTH.

Thanks Donna. I will be looking for some of your eggs soon . I think my problem is I want to DO BOTH. I lack experience, knowledge and TIME to have made any improvements. I also figured if I spent good money to get a quad, I would have gotten better color, but that was naive. I think I sometimes get a 6 colored egg, and I am only going to set those from now, for my future flock.

By the way, the blue pullet I hatched from your eggs is getting some coppering. The black one I hatched just started crowing they are only 4 months, and fairly large. As big as a blue ameruacana pullet at 6 months. I will try to get some pictures, but they are way camera shy

 

[colleen123]

Here are my Copper Marans. I am still trying to figure out if they are female or male. I have been getting mixed answers. They have yet to ley eggs. they are about 5 to 6 months old. I also have a BO in the same coop as them. I hope this is ok.

 

[DMRippy]

Here are my Copper Marans. I am still trying to figure out if they are female or male. I have been getting mixed answers. They have yet to ley eggs. they are about 5 to 6 months old. I also have a BO in the same coop as them. I hope this is ok.

Sorry you will not get any eggs from those two... both are clearly cockerels.

I know Vicki said this the other day but let me say it again since you are still holding onto hope for pullets..... SEE THE COPPER on the WINGS??????? Pullets CAN'T HAVE THAT. That is 100% a roo thing in all breeds of chickens. Sorry.... there is NO DOUBT those are ROOS and should be crowing by now I am sure.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
I have one girl that lays a very LIGHT colored eggs, but she is so pretty and typie I have to use her. She is blue too so that helps her cause. That is the only thing I find wrong with her. She has the right color eye, feathered legs, OK comb, I can't remember is she has copper or not.... either way she stays... egg color will improve down the road in her pullets. NOW I might not use any of her roos.... I would not want a roo that could throw that light of an egg..... that would not help the cause any.

 

[lonnyandrinda]

Good insights all. I have been pondering how to improve my egg color, I appreciate the discussion.

 

[SIMZ]

Hi everyone! I've love to hear some insights and opinions on my pullet below. She's 11 weeks old. Be as tough as is called for because I'd really like to learn! Thanks!

She has a nice green sheen, but also a bit of purple. Not as good, right?


This seems to be her usual tail set (although she does sometime stand with it normally held). Any insight into that?


Are her legs the correct color? Feathering?

How does the coppering look?


She does have some mossiness.




She's still young, but I'd like to know if there are things already evident showing up with her -- good and bad. Thanks in advance!

 

[lonnyandrinda]

What a pretty little pullet!

I'm no expert but she would certainly be a keeper at my house! Keep an eye on her tail angle as she grows. I'm told if there isn't much mossiness it may molt out after the first adult molt. I hope so I have a young hen I really love that has a touch of mossiness on her wings. Yes her feet look correct.