Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[Wynette]

What do you mean by wheaten?

The color variety, Wheaten. It is said that years ago, when the Marans was imported to the U.S., that some of the French breeders were breeding the Wheaten variety into the Black Copper; the cock birds look very similar in appearance, the Wheaten having a copper colored wing bow. (the color of the triangle in the wing when it is folded). I do not have Wheaten so don't have a pic to post, but if you look through the thread on Wheaten Marans, look closely at the wings of the adult males & you will see it.

Here it is

That is moste definitely mossy. If you're breeding for an exhibition-quality bird, you would want to cull that one.

 

[Ihilani Coffee]

I'll second that question... Here's three sets of hackles to to start with.

From what I understand, all other things being equal, the cockerel at back right is best, one on left second, and front cockerel between pullets would be a non-breeder based solely on hackle color. Right?

 

[Wynette]

From what I understand, all other things being equal, the cockerel at back right is best, one on left second, and front cockerel between pullets would be a non-breeder based solely on hackle color. Right?

I would agree with this assesment, basing it solely on hackle color. In looking more closely, I see the cockerel (cock bird?) on the far left is sprouting white tail feathers; that is an issue with this variety, and one we should all be working to eliminate in our flocks, in my personal opinion.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote: All these are too narrow at the back too..... that is another issue in Marans that needs to be fixed but it is not an easy fix.

 

[Runawaylobster]

Quote:
There are so many things to think about with this halo issue and frankly i believe it is VERY prevalent, it makes your head spin. 1. While everyone sees this on the Roo, i think it would be nice if it could be spotted when coming from the hens.. after all they have 50% of the genes and as far as i know it's not sexlinked. I have got a halo on some roos that does not seem to come from the male. 2. Genetically what causes the halo, after all is the wheaten gene not recessive? can we genetically isolate what causes the halo instead of just saying "wheaten influence" after all they still have black wing trianges. 3. In the grand scheme of things how really important IS the halo on the roo given that everything else is really nice and handsome? 4. If you used a roo with the halo because they were fabulous in every other respect, how would you go about getting the halo out of your flock if you cannot see this in the hens. (unlike say black eyes or clean legs). it just seems to bring up a thousand questions for me, which if i understood would help to chart a path towards eliminating it. PS: I just sold my wheaten flock but the roos DO have much lighter hackles than the bcm's almost golden in some cases.

 

[DMRippy]

My roos from Pink had halos.... they were blue BUT they also gave me some pullets with NICE copper. I would have LOVED to see what was going to happen with the 3rd generation. My guess is it would have just gotten better.

 

[Runawaylobster]

Quote:
Yep, Blue has it too and also Blue Jr. in my blacks Mr. Twizzler doesn't have it but his son does so that means it may be coming from the ladies???.. who knows.. I have two different lines of blacks and the other one doesn't have it so i think i am going to do single matings with the different lines and see what i can find out. I see it more in the blues than the blacks though. Don't you think it makes sense that if the blue is a dilution gene then it may have an effect on the copper as well as the black??? and maybe that's why the blues have it more?

 

[Maggiesdad]

All these are too narrow at the back too..... that is another issue in Marans that needs to be fixed but it is not an easy fix.

They were between 17 and 18 wks at the time of that photo... they're at 36 wks now (note the comb development on the pullets). I'll see if I can get some more photos today.

The cockerel with the halo has the best type and weight, and mature at least 2 wks ahead of the other four. White tail feather's situation has gotten worse, and the other guy is just scrawny. So that leaves me one solidly colored hackle...

 

[DMRippy]

chickens in general should be the same width from the shoulders to the hips. those birds all narrow at the ribs. most Marans do.....that I have seen.

 

[Zanna]

chickens in general should be the same width from the shoulders to the hips. those birds all narrow at the ribs. most Marans do.....that I have seen.

Not great pics. but this 7 mos. old is almost equally wide shoulders to butt: