Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[Bejammie]

Am I supposed to have white feet on my BCM or grey/slate/black? I know black or whatever color you want to call it on the shanks and feathers, but I always thought feet too. I know it's not a fault to have the black, is it a fault to have white/pinkish feet with black shanks?

 

[NTBugtraq]

I recently lost one of my 2 BCM cockerels (34 week old), leaving me with 1 Rooster (1 year and 41 weeks) and a setting mate of the deceased to service my flock of 46 pullets (with more pullets to come). My first setting this year (96 eggs set on 1/6/16) had only a 68% fertility rate.

So I am in need of at least 1, maybe 2, more cockerels.

When I introduce the cockerels to the main flock the Rooster certainly paid attention to them, but they never fought (just chased), which tells me he's ok with the idea of others...or at least can stand other cockerels with him. Now the quandary is whether I try to acquire a more mature cockerel, or start with eggs. Obviously I would prefer to see the cockerel improving the fertility rate sooner, but equally I don't want to create such a fuss in the coop that my Rooster dies, or, spends too much time chasing the cockerel he doesn't get his work done.

What would you do?

Further, I am in Ontario, Canada (near Kirkfield), any suggestions where to acquire your suggestion?

 

[Hankfam]

I've been lurking and reading this thread a bunch to learn as much as I can. I'm new to marans but really love them. I have been able to aquire some locally and wanted some opinions on what I've got so far. I have photos of the two oldest ones I have. They are about 8 months old. The hen has a bit of a cold, and it's cold outside so she was huddled up when I was taking pictures. I also have 7 more that are about 3 months, and 36 in the incubator.

the two eggs I'm pointing at came from the pictured hen.

 

[Hankfam]

This is the 8 month old rooster.

 

[NTBugtraq]

This is the 8 month old rooster.

My rooster had a nice comb like that a year ago December, and lost it almost entirely to frostbite last winter. Now I hope to breed smaller combs.

 

[snowbird]

Am I supposed to have white feet on my BCM or grey/slate/black? I know black or whatever color you want to call it on the shanks and feathers, but I always thought feet too. I know it's not a fault to have the black, is it a fault to have white/pinkish feet with black shanks?

The standards says lite to medium Slate.I use medium to dark slate.

 

[chickengr]

I recently lost one of my 2 BCM cockerels (34 week old), leaving me with 1 Rooster (1 year and 41 weeks) and a setting mate of the deceased to service my flock of 46 pullets (with more pullets to come). My first setting this year (96 eggs set on 1/6/16) had only a 68% fertility rate.

So I am in need of at least 1, maybe 2, more cockerels.

When I introduce the cockerels to the main flock the Rooster certainly paid attention to them, but they never fought (just chased), which tells me he's ok with the idea of others...or at least can stand other cockerels with him. Now the quandary is whether I try to acquire a more mature cockerel, or start with eggs. Obviously I would prefer to see the cockerel improving the fertility rate sooner, but equally I don't want to create such a fuss in the coop that my Rooster dies, or, spends too much time chasing the cockerel he doesn't get his work done.

What would you do?

Further, I am in Ontario, Canada (near Kirkfield), any suggestions where to acquire your suggestion?

with so many pullets you do need males. I would get at least 2 of them aprox the same age as pullets but first quarantine them then introduce them at the same time, best to put them in the coop at night. that has always worked best for me than in the morning I watch them just in case. I also make sure they have enough food when introduce new chickens and put more feeders in different parts of the run so all of them eat.

 

[scflock]

The standards says lite to medium Slate.I use medium to dark slate.

Hey Don, I'm trying a new flock this year. The chicks should arrive by Thursday, and I would appreciate that delicate feedback that only you can give

 

[NTBugtraq]

with so many pullets you do need males. I would get at least 2 of them aprox the same age as pullets but first quarantine them then introduce them at the same time, best to put them in the coop at night. that has always worked best for me than in the morning I watch them just in case. I also make sure they have enough food when introduce new chickens and put more feeders in different parts of the run so all of them eat.

Well, good news. A friend who raises BCMs just gave me the loan of one of her cockerels, actually a bird from the same clutch my younger BCM came from. So in a week or so I will be back up to a compliment of 3...here's hoping he's randy.

 

[scflock]

Well, good news. A friend who raises BCMs just gave me the loan of one of her cockerels, actually a bird from the same clutch my younger BCM came from. So in a week or so I will be back up to a compliment of 3...here's hoping he's randy.

How did the hatch go in the new 100?