Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
I agree, Kathy. Their combs would be much more red by now if they were cockerels. I can see where you were wondering, though...they do have suspicious looking saddle feathers coming in. But, if these are pure BCM, and they were cockerels, more than likely they would have much more color, too - also, their legs aren't that thick.

Thanks for your observations, Wynette.

 

[Bravo]

Quote:
Thanks Wynette. That's what I was postulating as well.

I suspect this feather sexing method holds true in her flock due to the consistent type she is producing. She does have one gorgeous flock!

 

[Zanna]

Okay, being a comb snob, roo #2 has a really nice comb! #1 has way too many points (I could 8 - they should have 5) - but, as is said each time I bring up combs, it's a very small deduction for extra points in the show ring, so it's not a big deal. But also, roo #1's comb isn't correct at the back, either - it should not follow the curve of the head, it should hang off on its own, like roo #2's comb.

I prefer roo #1 in profile and coloring, but I had a really tough time choosing between the two. I don't care for roo #2's coloring - it's too light in the hackles, and this would worry me for future generations and how he would cross on his hens. But - I AM NO EXPERT. Thanks for posting pics - LOVE to see lots of pics!

Thanks for the input Wynette!!! I did not realize that ideally the comb should hang off on its own, all part of the learning curve. My opinion of the two roos is exactly the same as yours. As someone stated in an earlier post, it would sure be nice to mix and match but what would be the challenge in that?!​

 

[Zanna]

Feel free to change my user name to pictureaholic

Here are two better pics I think:

Roo #1 Does he have 8 points? If you don't count the flap off the back (he sort of has a flap off the back) I count 7 or does that last point on the flap count?
Does it still look like it follows the curve of his head too much here? How much of a discount is that?

Roo #2 And this guy, 6 or 7 points? If you don't count the flap off the back 6, right?

Mathace, are these pics good enough to address what you saw in the full size pics?

 

[math ace]

Quote:
I am counting 7 on the first and 6 on the second. It is only 1/2 pt deduction for each extra or short point on the comb.
Roo #1 doesn't have that much of a blade and that is why it doesn't look right. The whole comb is only worth 5 pts. . . . so there are another 95 points in the bird that you need to worry about. . .. You can pair this either roo with a hen that has less points and the offspring would have fewer points than daddy roo.

I would love to be a comb snob. . . . but that is not what I target first. The BODY shape and COLOR need to be good first.
I only consider the comb if it has DQ's - - - side sprigs.

I like # 1 better. He has brown earlobes like he is suppose too and the coloring in the eyes is better and the color on the body is better. Is that WHITE is the feathers under his wattles or just reflection?

Which of these boys is Alpha roo?

 

[Zanna]

I am counting 7 on the first and 6 on the second. It is only 1/2 pt deduction for each extra or short point on the comb.
Roo #1 doesn't have that much of a blade and that is why it doesn't look right. The whole comb is only worth 5 pts. . . . so there are another 95 points in the bird that you need to worry about. . .. You can pair this either roo with a hen that has less points and the offspring would have fewer points than daddy roo.

I would love to be a comb snob. . . . but that is not what I target first. The BODY shape and COLOR need to be good first.
I only consider the comb if it has DQ's - - - side sprigs.

I like # 1 better. He has brown earlobes like he is suppose too and the coloring in the eyes is better and the color on the body is better. Is that WHITE is the feathers under his wattles or just reflection?

Which of these boys is Alpha roo?

No white feathers anywhere on either roos gratefull to say! I believe roo #2 is the alpha roo but I have lots of roos right now so it is hard to tell, two older guys (WL and NH) who come running everytime they hear one of the younger ones hasseling a henny (and of course the girls let the older guys know!!!), the other 2 young marans roos (culling soon) and a young Orpington roo who also gets on any of the marans cases. They have a large community coop/tractor and free range all daylight hours on 10 acres so it does not seem to get too crazy but I do try to cull as soon as I make my decisions so as to keep as much peace as possible at any given moment. This time around I will just get peace created then my young Del flock will be coming of age

 

[math ace]

Speaking of PEACE - - - WHY do roosters crow between 4 - 8 am? Why not WAIT and crow after everyone is up?

I've seen my one roo CROW BEFORE the hens get up while it is still dark! What is the point of that?

What if you lived in Alaska during the "dark" season. . . . Do they still crow?

 

[math ace]

Quote:
I believe roo #2 is the alpha roo but I have lots of roos right now so it is hard to tell, . . .

I like roo #2's body better, BUT if he is Alpha, THEN roo #1 may fill in more when roo #2 is not around so much. . . .

How old are these boys now ? ?

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
Just a couple of comments on these two males. On my monitor the first male looks to have Mahogany colored hackles and if he does you will have to breed him to the right females or you will get very little color on the young chicks.

The comb is not a deduction unless it lays on the neck, and would not worry about the comb on these at present.

If we look around we can see that what is producing the loud colored female Marans is the white leg males and not the light slate or medium slate. If anyone is using a white leg male from the Wade Geane line be very careful of what you are looking for with them. Don

 

[poularde]

Quote:
I have an Araucana roo who always stars crowing at 4:00 in the morning. It still is not light until 6ish. Why do they do that?