Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[snowbird]

These 4 are 11 1/2 weeks old. I went to get some Easter Egger eggs to hatch and saw a beautiful Blue Marans Hen and fell in love...so instead of getting a dozen EE eggs, I got 6 Marans Eggs, 4 EE & 2 OE's. 4 of the 6 Marans eggs hatched. I ended up with 1 blue two black and a splash. I have way too many cockerels so, I'm only keeping one of these guys (I think). The splash is a pullet so she stays. I know the eye color is wrong on them...but short of that I don't know what else. I'm completely new to Marans so I welcome your opinions!

Here is my blue (that looks like a white feather but it isn't...it is just the lighting):

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First black boy:
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The second black boy...he wouldn't stand still so I didn't get a good picture of his head:

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...and my pretty girl:
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Are you sure the Splash is a female ?

 

[WVduckchick]

The wry tail male would have no value as a Marans breeder.

Thanks. I see that all the pics appear that way, but having not noticed it leaning in person, I'll have to take a better look at him.

At what age are they best processed for meat?

 

[snowbird]

Thanks. I see that all the pics appear that way, but having not noticed it leaning in person, I'll have to take a better look at him.

At what age are they best processed for meat?

We do ours at around 16 weeks and Bake them.

 

[CABINHOLLOWNC]

Are you sure the Splash is a female ?

Well..."she" isn't crowing and her tail is different from the others and her comb is waaaaaaay lighter and smaller than the others and she doesn't participate in the posturing the others participate in nor do they challenge her the way they do each other. As I said, these are my first Marans...so I guess anything is possible? I'll wait to see if crowing commences.

 

[WVduckchick]

We do ours at around 16 weeks and Bake them.

Hmmm, might have to be dinner this weekend.

By the way, a mutual friend of ours told me that you would give me honest feedback. He also said to tell you (and I quote) "Tell him scflock said he's still a pr**k "



Seriously though, he misses ya!

 

[snowbird]

If any of the newer Marans people have questions now is the time to ask them.

 

[Choook]

I am a newbie Marans person I started a thread under the "what gender is this" but am hoping it is not bad etiquette to also ask the question here from the marans experts? I bought two "sexed" BCM babies but they have a lot of colour already at three weeks old, and from everything I have read here that is a typical roo sign. However, the two chicks look very different to each other - one feathered out fast (it has coppery flecks through all the feathers and a slightly pinkish comb) and the other still has stumpy wings, but they are copper at the wing tips and what I think are the shoulders, although its comb is more yellowish). I realise I'll just have to keep waiting, but I bought three marans from this breeder and the other was a wheaten which is definitely a rooster due to its colours - could they really be 100% wrong on the sexing of all three? (I haven't used them before, so I guess they could indeed be just guessing and hoping no-one comes back to complain...)

Here is a pic of the tops showing how different they look (there are more in the other thread, but I don't want to spam people with my chicks!). Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[dvoice]

I am a newbie Marans person I started a thread under the "what gender is this" but am hoping it is not bad etiquette to also ask the question here from the marans experts? I bought two "sexed" BCM babies but they have a lot of colour already at three weeks old, and from everything I have read here that is a typical roo sign. However, the two chicks look very different to each other - one feathered out fast (it has coppery flecks through all the feathers and a slightly pinkish comb) and the other still has stumpy wings, but they are copper at the wing tips and what I think are the shoulders, although its comb is more yellowish). I realise I'll just have to keep waiting, but I bought three marans from this breeder and the other was a wheaten which is definitely a rooster due to its colours - could they really be 100% wrong on the sexing of all three? (I haven't used them before, so I guess they could indeed be just guessing and hoping no-one comes back to complain...)

Here is a pic of the tops showing how different they look (there are more in the other thread, but I don't want to spam people with my chicks!). Thanks in advance for any advice!

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I'm no expert but I'd say the one with the coppery wings is not BCM and with the lighting the other looks like it may be Blue copper not black

 

[Choook]

Thanks - they were sold as BCM, but they don't seem to look like the chick photos I've seen - but on the plus side, maybe that means I have hope for a hen yet...

 

[3riverschick]

Hi,
what on Earth is wrong with the back of that top chick? is it a Wheaten/ black Marans Cross or something? I think you got hosed . I think you ought to ask for some money back. the one on the bottom is definitely not a black copper . a blue copper or Wheaton or something but it's not a black copper.
I am so sorry . This looks like another case of a breeder not understanding what they have in their gene pool.
Best,
Karen