Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[NestingHillsSC]

Why not? They are very good eating.

 

[desertmarcy]

Why not? They are very good eating.

I just processed 6 Marans cockerels yesterday, 4 Black Coppers and 2 Blue Coppers. They were very consistent in weight processed, all between 3 pounds 12 oz and 3 pounds 14 oz including neck, heart, gizzard, and one outlier was 4 lb 9 oz. They were in the 4-5 month old range.

 

[JP FFM]

Good morning, Can any one tell me what the difference is between a black copper marans and a wheaton marans? Second ??? How long do i leave eggs in the incubator after passing the 21 day hatch point if they have not hatched? Thanks Johnny.

 

[chicken pickin]

Good morning, Can any one tell me what the difference is between a black copper marans and a wheaton marans? Second ??? How long do i leave eggs in the incubator after passing the 21 day hatch point if they have not hatched? Thanks Johnny.

They are 2 different color varieties. You can tell the difference between a Black Copper and a Wheaton Marans mostly by looking at the wing triangle. The Black Copper has a black wing triangle while the Wheaton has gold. In hens The black Copper is black with a copper neck and the Wheaton hens are a creamy/reddish brown. Im sure that description was very vague and someone can probably answer better than I did lol.

Here is a link to feather site for Marans, they show both varieties.
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGK/Marans/BRKMarans.html

For the incubating eggs, I always allow unhatched eggs to stay in the incubator until day 24 just incase but that is just my preference.

 

[One Chick Two]

Good morning, Can any one tell me what the difference is between a black copper marans and a wheaton marans? Second ??? How long do i leave eggs in the incubator after passing the 21 day hatch point if they have not hatched? Thanks Johnny.

They are 2 different color varieties. You can tell the difference between a Black Copper and a Wheaton Marans mostly by looking at the wing triangle. The Black Copper has a black wing triangle while the Wheaton has gold. In hens The black Copper is black with a copper neck and the Wheaton hens are a creamy/reddish brown. Im sure that description was very vague and someone can probably answer better than I did lol.

Here is a link to feather site for Marans, they show both varieties.
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGK/Marans/BRKMarans.html

For the incubating eggs, I always allow unhatched eggs to stay in the incubator until day 24 just incase but that is just my preference.

Good description. Just wanted to add that the wing triangle is located toward the mid to bottom of the wing (not the shoulder mahogany), and it's not actually gold colored, but more of a copper hue.

Also, shanks and feet in BCM are supposed to be slate over pink (the hens legs are slightly darker.). Wheaten usually have considerably lighter pink/ light gray shanks and feet. Also, Wheaten males often have a lighter and brighter neck hackle halo than many BCM.

If you have a bird in question, you might want to consider posting a photo of it, as there are also many birds out there split for BCM/Wheaten parents as well. These birds can be tricky sometimes to spot.

Normally, BCM chicks are black with white, like little penguins. Wheaten chicks are blondes. If you hatched out mostly black BCM chicks, and you noticed one was a blonde, you might have parents split for Wheaten, or have other issues, like Recessive White.

As for incubating the eggs, ours always hatch on day 22, never had one hatch on day 21. We give them generally 3 days, and by the 4th day, I will help any chick who may be still be stuck in an egg, or at any time chirping in distress. (If they can't resolve the issue after a few hours is when it's a good time to start helping, but give them a chance to try hatching themselves. Normally, they usually hatch out around the first 2 days.

We've always taken them out of the hatching box about 24 hours after they are born, as long as no one else seems to be currently zipping or hatching at that time, otherwise the loss of humidity can cause a sticky chick with the membrane stuck on it.

 

[snowbird]

Quote: I would suggest you check you Wheaten leg and shank color as what you say is incorrect.

 

[One Chick Two]

I would suggest you check you Wheaten leg and shank color as what you say is incorrect.

Opps, sorry... going by memory, and I was thinking of our first male, who ended up split for Wheaten and BCM. These were his.

 

[JP FFM]

Thanks. Im going to check the link you gave me thank you all Johnny.

 

[ochochicas]

This is my Wheaten Marans hen. Obviously a different color than the BCMs. She also lays much larger eggs than my other Marans. Her eggs are also darker and more round on both ends.

 

[NestingHillsSC]

This is my Wheaten Marans hen. Obviously a different color than the BCMs. She also lays much larger eggs than my other Marans. Her eggs are also darker and more round on both ends.

Looks beautiful to me.