Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[WashingtonWino]

I've got a BCM chick in with a mixed bag of other chicks and I have to ask: are the chicks simply HUGE or is it just mine (hopefully not a rooster)? The only chick that is keeping up with her in weight is the Australorp who is a greedy piglet. She's the first in line when there are treats around, the first to investigate something new, the first to try to climb up my arm, etc. She's the loudest and I think the top of the pecking order, which seems about right from what I'm reading about the breed. I'm a little alarmed because she's so big and she's got sturdy Velociraptor-y legs, while the other pullets are very dainty and fine-boned. Are the pullets usually a little... Amazonian?

 

[RFR of CA]

Usually it is more the roosters that are like that sorry....they grow very very fast in my experience and crow very early. Hens though are also chubby and quick to grow.

I have had some bcm roosters crowing in my brooder tower at about 5 weeks! (Most wait thankfully until 4-6 months). My orpingtons are neck and neck with them weight wise and the Bielefelders grow even faster. Talk about piggies

 

[WashingtonWino]

"Rooster" is the vibe I'm getting too, but I guess time will tell. They are almost 2 w weeks old, at what age should I post a picture for all you experts to weigh in? 4-5 weeks should be pretty clear, right? If she starts crowing at 5 weeks like yours, Chalk then I guess that's pretty definitive too!

 

[snowbird]

"Rooster" is the vibe I'm getting too, but I guess time will tell. They are almost 2 w weeks old, at what age should I post a picture for all you experts to weigh in? 4-5 weeks should be pretty clear, right? If she starts crowing at 5 weeks like yours, Chalk then I guess that's pretty definitive too!

With my Marans I can usually tell by the three week time. Don

 

[WashingtonWino]

OK Don! See you back here in a week!

If she was a rooster it wouldn't be the end of the world, there are a lot of people in my area raising chickens who would love to have him. I was so hoping for my colorful egg basket though... I'm kind of fond of the little thing, so much personality.

Thank you!

 

[carcar80]

I have a hatch of six BCM right now at just over a week old. I believe I already have two cockerels pegged with 99% certainty. They too have the "Amazonian" (lol) qualities as well as a more prominent comb. Huge personalities too compared with the other four.

Here's hoping I don't have others hiding that are just more slow to show.

 

[WashingtonWino]

Carcar80,since you've got an eye for this sort of thing and chicks the same age as mine, give this a look please. Here's Sherman next to a Gold Comet, 12 days old. The comb doesn't look alarming to my untrained eye (it wouldn't at this point anyway, right?), but the upright posture, thick legs and oversized personality are worrying me a bit. I apologize if I should have posted all this in the "what breed/sex" forum, I just thought I'd run it by you guys since you're very familiar with the breed. Please excuse.

 

[carcar80]

Yeahh, that one does look suspect to me too. Here are two of mine for comparison, they are just over a week old like I said. The one on the left is my suspect an the right is much more "benign", lol! But like I said I've not raised but a couple of BCM up. Just making guesses. But I feel pretty good about it..

 

[johnderosa1]

Yeahh, that one does look suspect to me too. Here are two of mine for comparison, they are just over a week old like I said. The one on the left is my suspect an the right is much more "benign", lol! But like I said I've not raised but a couple of BCM up. Just making guesses. But I feel pretty good about it..

My experience is that you can tell VERY early on with BCMs. If it looks like a cockerel compared with the others by week 2 its pretty likely that opinion will not change as they grow. I have never been surprised by one at this age. The key is to have several BCMs to compare against each other

 

[carcar80]

My experience is that you can tell VERY early on with BCMs. If it looks like a cockerel compared with the others by week 2 its pretty likely that opinion will not change as they grow. I have never been surprised by one at this age. The key is to have several BCMs to compare against each other

Exactly. With behavioral differences it's pretty unmistakable.