Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[snowbird]

Don, are you coming up for the show?

Wynette, We are trying to make it to Ohio next month. Have made that show for a good many years. Let me know if you will be there and will look you up.

 

[SilkiesForEver]

Just wanted to share some pictures of my pair. They are around 4 months old.

Pullet,
She has absolutely NO copper. None. She has a very wide chest, and good shank feathering.


Cockerel,
He is just growing copper wing/hackle feathers. He is super wide. He also has very nice shank feathering.




Sorry I couldn't get profile view pictures, but could you critique my chicks?

 

[Broad St Farm]

Just wanted to share some pictures of my pair. They are around 4 months old. Pullet, She has absolutely NO copper. None. She has a very wide chest, and good shank feathering. Cockerel, He is just growing copper wing/hackle feathers. He is super wide. He also has very nice shank feathering. Sorry I couldn't get profile view pictures, but could you critique my chicks?

Without having side views its difficult. That being said, at this stage they are in its not viable to give you judgement on them. A lot can change in the next few months. Birds that look good now can turn into a mess and vice versa. Just read up on what to look for, and take notes on any positive or negatives that happen. Quickest way to learn. That way in the future you have an idea of what will happen on your next chicks.

 

[Wynette]

Don, I'm planning on Ohio. Will let you know for sure in another week or so; I like that show.

Chasehope - that blue is lovely!

Pink - holy heck!

Sorry to hear about your MAJOR pred issues; BEST of luck!

The blues - we will have trouble getting the blues accepted, I think, because they should be solid blue with edging on the feathers...many out there are sort of blue "mottled," which is pretty, but should not be the standard. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

 

[snowbird]

Just wanted to share some pictures of my pair. They are around 4 months old.

Pullet,
She has absolutely NO copper. None. She has a very wide chest, and good shank feathering.


Cockerel,
He is just growing copper wing/hackle feathers. He is super wide. He also has very nice shank feathering.




Sorry I couldn't get profile view pictures, but could you critique my chicks?

I really like both of these Marans, Give the pullet time and I believe she will have copper color show up. I really like the shank and feet feathering. This is what I breed for in Marans.

 

[Wynette]

Just wanted to share some pictures of my pair. They are around 4 months old.

Pullet,
She has absolutely NO copper. None. She has a very wide chest, and good shank feathering.


Cockerel,
He is just growing copper wing/hackle feathers. He is super wide. He also has very nice shank feathering.




Sorry I couldn't get profile view pictures, but could you critique my chicks?

From the pics you have, I would not use these for breeding. They are much, much too dark, shank feathering is too heavy, and the eyes appear (from what I can see) to be much too dark, also. That said, they're still young, but at this age, they are still old enough to make cull decisions based on what I've stated above. (my opinion: I am not an expert.)

Then again, if you are just wanting some pretty yard birds, they'll fit the bill! BEST of luck!

 

[Wynette]

Just saw Don's post - well, there you go! Ask two different people, you'll get two different answers. Regarding the shank feathering, though, it's most definitely too heavy. I've spoken with several judges and every one of them has said that per SOP, most that they are seeing (which look like these birds above) have too heavy of feathering.

ETA: I would like to see these birds in profile - it's really not a good idea to make judgments based on one pic.

 

[Wynette]

By way of info., here is a pic of a judge we asked, at the 2011 Crossroads show, to please point out some good & bad things in the Marans as a breed. There were probably 40-50 birds at that show, I don't recall - it was the Black Copper qualifier. Anyway, he went down the row & pulled this male out to use an example of what optimal shank feathering is. (Clearly, this male has other issues, but the shank feathering, per the judge, was perfect):

 

[snowbird]

Wynette, Not argueing but if I raise any BC in the future they will have the heavier shank and foot feathering. I bet if you put 10 marans with different degrees of shank and toe feathering and ask 10 judges to give you an opinion and they will say something different.

The Marans should have shank and toe feathering similiar the the Langshan. Those lightly feathered Marans would be culled at my place. Will post a picture of the 1/2 BC and 1/2 wheaten in a few days and show what a real Marans shank feathering should look like.

 

[Wynette]

Don, it's great to have varying opinions, to be sure! You know that I respect your opinion!! Also, everyone has their "thing" - for me, if I had to choose ONE type issue that bugs me to the point of no end, it's the awful toplines that I see. The shank feathering, so long as they have it, isn't a deal breaker for me, except when I think it's FAR too heavy or plain clean.

Topline: should run DOWNHILL from base of neck to base of tail. Not drastically, and the male more than the female. But, I see more Marans (expecially the female) that have the exact opposite topline - it drives me nuts.