Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[Wynette]

Ray, I'd like to see more pics of this male. Having just one pic makes it difficult to provide feedback, but BASED ON THIS PIC, I do quite like this male. He appears to have very good color balance, his topline is excellent (topline is something that's a difficult proposition to breed for, and many folks do not cull for it. I am guilty of that in my own flock, but when I see a really nice topline, it just makes the bird for this breed, IMHO). His underline looks nice as well; he "appears" to have correct tail angle; tail needs to fill in a bit but he's got plenty of time for that. Shank feathering is so/so, but that's not a deal breaker, and easy to fix in your next gen by using females with heavy shank feathering. Thought I can't see his eye well enough to make an asessment, it seems like it might be a tad light, but still would be in the realm of correct. Last but not least, he seems to have very nice overall balance, which I'm a stickler for. Great job on this breeding.

Things to watch for: check him for the dreaded white underhackle feathering. Lift his hackles and see if there is any white feathering coming in. Move his saddle feathers to the side & see if there is white coming in there, also. If you say there is, I will cry! (my opinions only, I am no expert.)

ETA: Check the wing carriage on this male as well; it might be low.

 

[TheWineMaker]

Well not bad for a second egg. The first one was almost this dark . What ya think?

 

[Wynette]

Wine, it's lovely! It reminds me of the egg my pure W. Jeane hen lays:

 

[Ray from PA]

Ray, I'd like to see more pics of this male. Having just one pic makes it difficult to provide feedback, but BASED ON THIS PIC, I do quite like this male. He appears to have very good color balance, his topline is excellent (topline is something that's a difficult proposition to breed for, and many folks do not cull for it. I am guilty of that in my own flock, but when I see a really nice topline, it just makes the bird for this breed, IMHO). His underline looks nice as well; he "appears" to have correct tail angle; tail needs to fill in a bit but he's got plenty of time for that. Shank feathering is so/so, but that's not a deal breaker, and easy to fix in your next gen by using females with heavy shank feathering. Thought I can't see his eye well enough to make an asessment, it seems like it might be a tad light, but still would be in the realm of correct. Last but not least, he seems to have very nice overall balance, which I'm a stickler for. Great job on this breeding.

Things to watch for: check him for the dreaded white underhackle feathering. Lift his hackles and see if there is any white feathering coming in. Move his saddle feathers to the side & see if there is white coming in there, also. If you say there is, I will cry! (my opinions only, I am no expert.)

ETA: Check the wing carriage on this male as well; it might be low.

Thanks for the feedback Wynette ! I was hoping had something to say about him. He has no white underfluff as of yet, and no white feathers anywhere,,,,, that's another reason he is still here. His eye color is not bad, possibly a bit light. I will take a close look at his wing carriage, I don't think it's too low,,,,, he was moving around the run alot trying to avoid me and the camera.

His tail is taking forever to come in fully,,,, but,,, it is nice and open, wish I could have gotten a pic from the top,,, he's a nice broad guy.

I thought horses were tough to photograph,,,, but, chickens are even harder !

 

[happyfrenchman]

Would ya'll be so kind as to offer your opinions on this bird? He is my rooster. I picked him from a group of 9 cockerels (and 3 hens). He has a flock of three black and three blue hens. I do not know their provenance. The blacks lay a fairly dark egg. The blues lay a caramel colored egg.

 

[Broad St Farm]

Ple

Would ya'll be so kind as to offer your opinions on this bird? He is my rooster. I picked him from a group of 9 cockerels (and 3 hens). He has a flock of three black and three blue hens. I do not know their provenance. The blacks lay a fairly dark egg. The blues lay a caramel colored egg.

Please post a good side shot of him posing that's taken at bird level. It's hard to judge a bird at that angle. Also what are your goals for you Marans?

 

[happyfrenchman]

Thank you... These are the two best.... (alot of blurry ones). My aim is I just want to have a nice flock of BC Marans, with as dark an egg as I can get and as close to the standard as I can. I got these birds in Dublin Ga. and they were mostly roosters but this one and another one were the best jfrom what I was able to read and see. I let them free range all day on my property and he is a good rooster. He is still young. 8 months I think. .

 

[maryhysong]

Just some rambling thoughts in my mind.... If your choice is decent body type but not enough copper OR decent color but a thinner, gamier body type, which one would you breed? Especially if your hens are too dark?

 

[DMRippy]

Just some rambling thoughts in  my mind.... If your choice is decent body type but not enough copper OR decent color but a thinner, gamier body type, which one would you breed? Especially if your hens are too dark?

TYPE TYPE TYPE! if you breed for color and lose your type you have gained nothing!

 

[Zanna]

Just some rambling thoughts in my mind.... If your choice is decent body type but not enough copper OR decent color but a thinner, gamier body type, which one would you breed? Especially if your hens are too dark?

Body type IMO. Test mate (single pairings, hatch 20 -25 chicks from each pair ideally if you can) and be looking for a better roo in the meantime. Often an owner at a show can be talked into selling if you are willing/able to pay enough.