Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[Wishapup]

I have a FBCM cockerel who is nearly 5 months. His hackles are a solid orange colour, but I've noticed that when he lifts his head you can see white underneath. It looks almost like pinfeathers, except there is a lot of it. It's only visible when the top layer of feathers move away.

 

[LittleMissPurdy]

**carnevore & **chickentenders.....sorry this is coming to you SOO late, but THANK YOU for getting back to me on the sexing of the two chicks...yes, I do believe I have two girls also!
haha, now that they are almost 4 months old, it is much easier to tell.. Thank you again for your insight!

I vote for a pair of pullets.

..here they are @ 9 wks...

 

[Localheronow]

I will take this rooster please

 

[alebuela]

AT LAST! My 28-week-old BCM laid her first egg today! No egg song, nothing out of the ordinary. And there it was! Needless to say, I am Very Happy!

 

[BullChick]

**carnevore & **chickentenders.....sorry this is coming to you SOO late, but THANK YOU for getting back to me on the sexing of the two chicks...yes, I do believe I have two girls also!
haha, now that they are almost 4 months old, it is much easier to tell.. Thank you again for your insight!
Quote:
Someone want to explain why my Marans don't produce boys? This (these were my eggs) is the third Marans hatch, and not a single boy to show for it.

I may have just jinxed myself.

 

[Ihilani Coffee]

Someone want to explain why my Marans don't produce boys? This (these were my eggs) is the third Marans hatch, and not a single boy to show for it.

I may have just jinxed myself.

What the heck are you complaining about?

 

[BullChick]

LOL! I know it should be a good thing. But Moron is .... Well, a moron! About a year ago, the chickens got out of the run. When I came outside, The Ameraucana brought his girls right back into the run. Moron kept his girls out, and spent the entire day running from me when I was trying to lure them back in. I sold all but 16 girls in April. Moron is still telling the rest of the flock that I am dangerous. I should have kept the sane rooster! Now I need to swap Moron for another Marans. I am hoping my New Years hatch yields a BCM male.

 

[Wynette]

My newest batch is showing great promise. No white (at least yet) on the wing tips this time

Christine - Rare Feathers Ranch CA

White in the juvenile primaries typically does get molted out prior to final juvenile molt. However, you've got a bigger issue than that...this bird is showing extreme mossiness. It really should not be bred, unless you're just wanting pretty eggs or pretty birds; I mention this because by your comment indicating you're happy about not seeing white in the juvenile primaries, it makes me think you're breeding to the standard.

Do you see the mossiness? That copper spattering of color is mossiness; that should be solid black. This chick likely has Wheaten genetics in its background.

 

[Wynette]

I have a FBCM cockerel who is nearly 5 months. His hackles are a solid orange colour, but I've noticed that when he lifts his head you can see white underneath. It looks almost like pinfeathers, except there is a lot of it. It's only visible when the top layer of feathers move away.

The "white underhackle" as we call it is a big problem in the breed, and specifically in this variety (it's also prevalent in the Blue Copper). It should be culled - from what I have gathered, that's the only way to eliminate it (simply do not breed those that have it). The problem with this is that they often do now show this white underhackle until they are fully grown adults.

 

[Wishapup]

The "white underhackle" as we call it is a big problem in the breed, and specifically in this variety (it's also prevalent in the Blue Copper). It should be culled - from what I have gathered, that's the only way to eliminate it (simply do not breed those that have it). The problem with this is that they often do now show this white underhackle until they are fully grown adults.

I've never heard of it before! Thanks for letting me know! He is, at the moment, the only rooster I can use so I will be watchful of how his offspring turn out.