Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[ShanandGem]

ETA: They were hatched mid-May.

 

[Braxton Brigade]

ETA: They were hatched mid-May.

A cochin crossed with what? Marans? If it was a Marans X Cochin and if that cochin was black as well it could be hard to say.

 

[ShanandGem]

A cochin crossed with what? Marans? If it was a Marans X Cochin and if that cochin was black as well it could be hard to say.

That's exactly what she would be. There are like carbon copies of each other at the moment, I am hoping it will be more evident as the mature. Although maybe she'll bring some fresh blood to the mix....

 

[One Chick Two]

Thanks. I knew he was probably off by a long mark, but I knew it would help me learn a bit more by understanding the faults of my own bird. I knew he was lacking on the coloring, his sisters are still completely black. Is it a bad idea to learn as you go? At this point am I too new to purchase eggs from a good breeder and start up a breeding flock? I suppose I would just be contributing to the faults of the breed at this point.

It's not too early to start. You care enough to ask questions and learn about them.
Getting good eggs from a quality breeder would take years off of your breeding program.

I suggest getting enough eggs so that you can cull hard. You need a good male, and hackled female who should lay somewhat dark. One of my friends got 9 dz eggs from a top breeder, then, culled down very hard. Two dz would be minimum if you want to get some nice birds to use.

 

[Braxton Brigade]

It's not too early to start. You care enough to ask questions and learn about them.
Getting good eggs from a quality breeder would take years off of your breeding program.

I suggest getting enough eggs so that you can cull hard. You need a good male, and hackled female who should lay somewhat dark. One of my friends got 9 dz eggs from a top breeder, then, culled down very hard. Two dz would be minimum if you want to get some nice birds to use.

Thanks. I'm thinking if I got eggs from a quality breeder I would need to buy at least 3 dozen, to offset the incubating problems associated with shipping.

 

[chickengr]

Sorry, I think you misunderstood the use of my chicken sticks. I use them as extensions of my arms to create a sort of funnel effect as the chickens walk back to their coop. I don't strike my chickens, but the sticks come in handy when separating roosters or when you just need seven foot long arms to point the way
I have ten coops, five of which are identical and multiple roosters so everyone can't free range at the same time. Chickens are not smart creatures and they get confused by the identical houses. The often need to be herded to the right one.

no I didn't misunderstand you but my experience is different. I have less chickens, 4 coops with private runs and a lot of my chickens jump on me before going to sleep. the rest go to the coop straight away. I even don't need to be there at their bed time.

 

[Sylvester017]

I don't have a stick for chickens. I raise them with love and I get love in return. they all go to their coops in the evening by themselves. chickens don't like to stay out when it is dark.

I believe in the soft touch to raising hens also. But we were really taken aback by the mean Cuckoo Marans in spite of handling and treats and spoiling. Sometimes there's just one rotten egg in the bunch and before the behavior becomes contagious to the rest of the flock we re-home.

 

[Sylvester017]

I have no patience for nasty birds either, but I am beginning to second guess myself and wondering if she was following me? Quickly? I had a good look at everyone tonight and am still convinced they are all pullets, but will post a picture tomorrow for opinions.
I also plan to spend a LOT of time around them tomorrow when they are free ranging, so I can get a better impression of the behavior. The rooster is beginning to be hormonal and I have slowly been moving their tractor faaaar away from the others, so they are kind of out in the back forty now and don't see me much in their meanderings.

Yep, I'm a paranoid watcher too. Sometimes being broody, or molting, etc, can change behaviors of otherwise sweet hens. Though, I have found that large fowl dual-purpose or layer-breed hens can be too assertive in a gentles breed flock -- so now I don't keep heavy or dual-purpose breeds any more. I have 2 gentle Silkies that aren't too bad at egg size when they're in cycle, and 2 gentle lightweight Breda that surprised us at steady egg production for smaller birds. I wouldn't trade my experience at having a colorful egg basket but in the end decided I preferred a peaceful pet flock over a basketful of big eggs the two of us couldn't possibly use up. Everyone has a different objective

 

[Red Banks]

Quote:
I believe that Shanandgem and I have been misunderstood. When I am herding my chickens I use a skinny bamboo stick that is smaller in diameter than a pencil. This stick has never been raised in anger or as a punishment. It is simply a tool I use to guide the chickens where I need them to go. The only time I have been attacked by a chicken was last week, my Blue Marans hen has 10 chicks and she is a very good mama. I got too close and she pecked my leg.

 

[chickengr]

I believe that Shanandgem and I have been misunderstood. When I am herding my chickens I use a skinny bamboo stick that is smaller in diameter than a pencil. This stick has never been raised in anger or as a punishment. It is simply a tool I use to guide the chickens where I need them to go. The only time I have been attacked by a chicken was last week, my Blue Marans hen has 10 chicks and she is a very good mama. I got too close and she pecked my leg.

you probably didn't read my reply to Shanandgem. I really don't need a stick. my chickens are more spoiled than my dogs.