Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[Wynette]

dvoice:

short-backed, squirrel tail, too dark.

 

[Wynette]

Michigan Fowl Fanciers Fall Fowl Fest:

Most excellent show this past weekend - congratulations to Wayne (Broad St Farm) for winning his very first Marans egg show! Beautiful eggs! Extra Java placed second, I placed third, People's Choice was won by me.

My Black Copper cockerel placed RV (and now lives in Ohio). A young man who showed a nice black copper K was placed RESERVE CONTINENTAL - this bird was hatched from parent stock by me. All in all, it was a really good show! It was so nice to meet new Marans folks and chicken lovers of other breeds, as well!

 

[lonnyandrinda]

Congrats Wynette!!! Good job! You've certainly earned it! Sounds like it was a blast!

 

[Wynette]

Congrats Wynette!!! Good job! You've certainly earned it! Sounds like it was a blast!

Thanks so much!! The show really WAS a whole lot of fun. The MCCUSA has come up with a pamphlet introducing the club and with lots of information, including updated conformation sketches (not quite yet availble), and so we printed up 50 copies to get a sense of public interest, and all 50 pamphlets were snatched up by just after lunchtime on Saturday! Holy cow! LOTS of interest in the breed, several varities shown (Black Copper, Blue Copper, Cuckoo, Wheaten, Black...). It's stressful, but such a good way to see how you're doing compared with where other folks are, and what other breeders are breeding for, to make good contacts, etc. I really do think the breed is beginning to REALLY take off!

 

[Ray from PA]

He's not perfect ,,, but this guy has some nice traits...IMO.... he's probably going to be my next #1 Roo,,, I love his big open tail, and some of my hens lack in that department. Wish he didn't have the halo,,, but the girls have corrected that on others, hoping they can do it again.

 

[Ray from PA]

Congrats Wynette !

Glad to hear the show went well and the marans seem to be doing well in overall competition.

And thanks for your reply on my ealier post about copper coloring on the chest.

 

[Ray from PA]

Time for a critique on this youngster !!!!
He's no small boy,,, wish his color showed up better in the photo,,, he may be a darker shade of copper,,, but not mahogany.

 

[Broad St Farm]

Thanks so much!! The show really WAS a whole lot of fun. The MCCUSA has come up with a pamphlet introducing the club and with lots of information, including updated conformation sketches (not quite yet availble), and so we printed up 50 copies to get a sense of public interest, and all 50 pamphlets were snatched up by just after lunchtime on Saturday! Holy cow! LOTS of interest in the breed, several varities shown (Black Copper, Blue Copper, Cuckoo, Wheaten, Black...). It's stressful, but such a good way to see how you're doing compared with where other folks are, and what other breeders are breeding for, to make good contacts, etc. I really do think the breed is beginning to REALLY take off!

For everyone, these pamphlets are really nice. For someone that is just inquiring or learning the SOP for the first time, or thinking of getting Marans for the first time, these are great! And, no joke, saw a Judge using these pamphlets while judging the Marans at the show. I spoke to him later to get thoughts on my birds. He admitted to using them and he was still learning the Marans SOP. He was a really nice guy and very humble. Im glad I had the experience at the show. However I wish I didnt have to deal with the male hormones with my cockerels when I got them home. They decided they didnt want to live with each other any longer. I was a rumble and had to put them all back in cages. Time to thin the heard! I picked the 2 birds I want anyway.

 

[Zanna]

Hi All! Would love some opinions on this young pullet of this years breeding, she is not laying yet. She looks very different from her full siblings........ Short back, very poofy tail with short tailfeathers for her age (compared to my others), not much copper on the neck, heavily feathered legs, no middle toe feathers but some fluff on the webbing. One of the pics. shows her with a 1/2 sibling who is younger but obviously way different type. Her feathers are amazing, wide and tight. No brown tinge even though the pics. look like she does. Pumkin coloured eyes (look too dark in pics.) She is a broad, chunky, compact load. I just don't know what to think about her, she really appeals to me but I don't know if her type makes her worth test mating back to Dad...............

 

[Zanna]

Congrats on your show Wynette!!! I am going to get my feet wet in the Spring, really, I am going to do it. Now it is in writing!!!

Question on young cockerals....... Growing out a few I really like to breed back to Moms. Some have a few fluffy feathers breaking through/showing at the base of the tail, some look tight and clean. Hope that makes sense. The fluff (not white!) does not look as tidy to me. Is this a culling point if I like all else about the boys?