Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[happyfrenchman]

Well now I'm really concerned! Even if he wasn't born til late May, that means he is 4 months old and not crowing. Is it possible that some roosters never crow or have something wrong with their "crower"??

A Rooster that won't crow would probably be a breakthrough genetic trait that would be very popular in some areas where people cannot have a rooster. I know I used to research ways to make my old Rhode Island Red Rooster not crow. Most people thought it kind of crazy. But there are some places where it would be alright.

My Marans roos were attempting to crow at 3 months if I recall. Overall, the one I kept is much quieter than the old Red Roo throughout the day. At 4am.... about the same. I don't know how the hens stand the crowing at that hour in the plywood boom box that is my coop. .

 

[DMRippy]

mine crow pretty early. I have one less than 3 months crows the most pitiful crow you ever heard...brings a smile to my face when I hear it.



he may just be slow in the crow department. I have a Good Shepard Barred Rock roo....never hear him crow he is almost 2 years old.

Hey Nashville, you're not too far away from me!  That's funny about your 3 month old.  I know that sickly pitiful crow from one I used to have - ha ha!
But not good news your GSBR has never crowed.  Heck, I never thought about it before, but I guess all the birds are different and probably
happens that some just cant make a sound.  What bothers me is how my guy opens his beak wide open and then ... nothing.  NOT A PEEP. 
Also, one of the Leghorn pullets chases him off sometimes.  I'm afraid I might've gotten a big wussy cockerel darnit!

Ah well, as they say, ze French, zay are not fighters, zay are lovers!  lol

sorry I didn't mean he doesn't crow...he just does it so infrequently I have never heard him crow. very calm roo. his son's crow more.

 

[Fowl Wench]

A Rooster that won't crow would probably be a breakthrough genetic trait that would be very popular in some areas where people cannot have a rooster. I know I used to research ways to make my old Rhode Island Red Rooster not crow. Most people thought it kind of crazy. But there are some places where it would be alright. 

My Marans roos were attempting to crow at 3 months if I recall. Overall, the one I kept is much quieter than the old Red Roo throughout the day. At 4am.... about the same.  I don't know how the hens stand the crowing at that hour in the plywood boom box that is my coop. .

A Rooster that won't crow would probably be a breakthrough genetic trait that would be very popular in some areas where people cannot have a rooster. I know I used to research ways to make my old Rhode Island Red Rooster not crow. Most people thought it kind of crazy. But there are some places where it would be alright. 

My Marans roos were attempting to crow at 3 months if I recall. Overall, the one I kept is much quieter than the old Red Roo throughout the day. At 4am.... about the same.  I don't know how the hens stand the crowing at that hour in the plywood boom box that is my coop. .

Yeah that is a very good point you made about it being a "genetic breakthrough". So that means he probably will eventually crow. Maybe I should just WISH that he doesn't crow - then for sure he WILL.

 

[Fowl Wench]

I wouldn't be too concerned. It could take another 2 months before he starts crowing. I think a normal age range for crowing could be anywhere from 6weeks-6months of age. Every rooster is different.

Well thank you for the encouraging words. It's good to know the crowing window can be up to 6 months. I'll keep crowing at him til then. He does look at me real funny when I do that.. Good thing my neighbors can't see me.

 

[jaybobrenn]

What is everyone's opinion on this young cockerel? I know its not a great pic but I had a hard time trying to get him to stand still long enough. You can't really see his shank feathering but he has pretty good feathering down the shank and on the outer toes. Im mainly wondering about his coloring and if he holds his tail too high. I thought he was gonna be on the skinny side but he has been filling out pretty good the last couple weeks. He's still trying to get his crowing down but he's getting there lol.

 

[Wynette]

jaybob, he's got WAY too much copper color throughout, from what it appears in the pic. I could be wrong, kind of difficult to ascertain due to the sun being apparently low in the sky.

His topline is nice, except that his tail is a bit on the high side, as you suspected.

Also, he doesn't appear to have very good overall balance (but that is a personal preference).

Just my opinion. I am not an expert.

 

[marquisella]

jaybob, he's got WAY too much copper color throughout, from what it appears in the pic. I could be wrong, kind of difficult to ascertain due to the sun being apparently low in the sky.

His topline is nice, except that his tail is a bit on the high side, as you suspected.

Also, he doesn't appear to have very good overall balance (but that is a personal preference).

Just my opinion. I am not an expert.

I agree. He looks "rough", meaning not balanced, just not right.

You have to be very tough on your roosters. They are half of your flock, so they need to be as perfect as can be. I have a roo I grew out, and is just perfect, except for one thing....he has a wry tail. It breaks my heart every day when I see him....I guess I keep hoping one day it will be straight,,,but I know that isn't happening...

 

[jaybobrenn]

ya his copper is pretty scattered, the picture does show his color pretty well to how it is, I know how the lighting can mess with the color in pics.... so he probably won't be any good for breeding then? I have another one that is colored similar to him but he has light shank feathering, he actually holds his tail a lot better though and he's a heavier bird and also has a descent topline but again he's not colored very well either. Both are very friendly guys, one will jump up in your lap, so i may just keep them around for Olive Eggers.



Here's the 2 together.

 

[marquisella]

ya his copper is pretty scattered, the picture does show his color pretty well to how it is, I know how the lighting can mess with the color in pics.... so he probably won't be any good for breeding then? I have another one that is colored similar to him but he has light shank feathering, he actually holds his tail a lot better though and he's a heavier bird and also has a descent topline but again he's not colored very well either. Both are very friendly guys, one will jump up in your lap, so i may just keep them around for Olive Eggers.



Here's the 2 together.

Your other roo has a better body, but not much better in color, but they say to build the barn before you paint it. Whats his head like? If you could take the photo without the sun shining it would be better.

 

[jaybobrenn]

let me see if i have a better pic of him