Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[lonnyandrinda]

I bow to snowbird's experience.... he is probably right!

 

[GreenAcresChick]

Thanks to everyone for all of the advise. I have e-mailed the source of the eggs to ask about a possible cross. I haven't heard anything yet. Luckily I have chicks from an entirely different source that will become my breeders. The blue copper is also from another seller on ebay. So that only takes 2 out of the gene pool. Do you guys breed the blues and blacks together or keep them separate? Also will they throw splash like Ameraucanas or will they all be blue or black?

 

[Chickengirl1304]

Terrible pic and I can get better ones tomorrow but anyone want to critique this guy just from this pic?

 

[Ray from PA]

This looks to be a young male.

Glad Don gave his opinion on this bird,,, have to agree with him,,, was starting to doubt my sexing abilities, granted some are more difficult than others !

 

[Ray from PA]

This is for sure a young Blue Copper male.

Have to agree with Don again.

Not sure why but the blues I hatch are more difficult to sex early and mature differently than the blacks here.

 

[math ace]

Ok here's another pic..... Are you guys sure this is a pullet?

If the above chick is only 10 weeks old... I am going to be in the minority and call it a cockerel.

 

[math ace]

Wow, I thought I was getting better at guessing the sex of these crazy chickens???? What about this blue copper Marans?

Again, at only 10 weeks of age... This is a cockerel

 

[math ace]

Thanks to everyone for all of the advise. I have e-mailed the source of the eggs to ask about a possible cross. I haven't heard anything yet. Luckily I have chicks from an entirely different source that will become my breeders. The blue copper is also from another seller on ebay. So that only takes 2 out of the gene pool. Do you guys breed the blues and blacks together or keep them separate? Also will they throw splash like Ameraucanas or will they all be blue or black?

black x black = 100% black
Blue x Black = 50% black, 50% blue
Blue x Blue = 25% splash, 25 % black, 50% blue.

Do you breed them together.... It Depends...
If you are looking to produce BLUE then breeding a black can make the blue darker and richer.

If you are looking to produce BLACK, then folks say DO NOT USE a Black produced from a Blue x Black mating.

Personally, I am using the Blacks from my Blue x Black matings. My original flock was all blue hens and a black copper rooster.
I didn't want blues, it is just what I started with. With each generation I am keeping the black offspring so that I end up with a flock of black coopers.
I am open, very open about this. That way people who feel strongly against the Blue x Black mating can make an informed choice.

 

[snowbird]

Terrible pic and I can get better ones tomorrow but anyone want to critique this guy just from this pic?

I believe this is a Wheaten Marans but do not see where it states what it is supposed to be.

 

[roseschickies]

Hello All!! I am a new BCM owner! I just picked up 2 over the weekend at the Sharpsburg MD Swap. I started to read a the beginning of this post, but 600 to read will take a while to catch up! I think my girls look pretty good, they are about 16 weeks? The only thing I am seeing that I did not like,

1) they have some wing feathers with white on them. One has feathered legs the other not so much. And after reading, I will have to post some pictures so I can get further feedback from everyone! I would hope I have somewhat of a descend BCM, I am really only interested in the Dark Chocolate colored eggs, not showing, so I am not very worried about them being show quality, but close would give a warm fuzzy feeling! I am not breeding, Can not have Roos!

2) They have some cracking on the bottoms of there feet and toes, I am treating them with Neosporin, and a soft paper towel bedding that gets changed 2x a day ( stupid work, or it would be more often) I tried to cover them with bandages, but they pulled them off...

The joy of a swap like that.. But they are separated from my main flock, couple more weeks and they can be introduced to their new home!