Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[Zanna]

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 ? ?

They are 22 weeks old now. My flock is on the back 40 of the farm so I miss out on the crowing! I do hear them occasionally when I am working in the horse barn but it is way off in the distance! This morning roo #1 was doing the wing dance to #2 so maybe I got that backwards. It is interesting that roo 1 & 2 basically hang together, and roo 3 & 4 (the lackeys) hang together.

Thank you Don for the input! I think I will keep both these boys and post more pics when they are another month or so older. Then, when I actually get some hens, I will be looking for advice on matchmaking from you all

 

[robnms]

Can someone give me opinions on this roo, he's 5 months old and still growing.

 

[VillageChicken]

Hey Math, is your theory about the Alpha being bigger because he controls the feeding station?

I had an opposite experience with some BC Marans:
I had two BC brothers (hatchmates) that grew up with the same flock of laying hens. One guy was always bigger than the other, wider, taller, etc. But the smaller guy came into "puberty" way earlier, even though his comb is smaller even today... he started crowing at 7 weeks, and started learning how to treat the ladies well early on. Big brother, on the other hand, was more interested in bossing the girls around at the feeder, pecking and being a but(t)head. So little brother actually became the head rooster and didn't allow his bigger sibling to mount any of the girls (if he could help it) and definitely had the upper hand even though he was smaller. He's still a bit smaller even now, but big brother's in the bachelor pad now. He was always busy calling the girls over to the best food, but never got much for himself, for being so considerate!

 

[VillageChicken]

Quote:
He has a very horizontal stance, more like a hen than a rooster, at least in those pictures. Most BC roosters have a slight downward incline from neck to tail. And if that's his usual tail position it looks about 90 degrees, which is close to qualifying as a squirrel tail (beyond 90). 45 degrees is the target. It looks like he has a good amount of copper though, it may be a tad light in the hackle - it's hard to tell in the full sunlight shot. His shanks look like they are the right pale slate.

 

[math ace]

Quote:
In two more weeks, my guys are do for another photo shot session and weigh in . . . It will be interesting to see how things have changed. . .. I kept the biggest roo when I did my last cull.

The ALPHA roo was smaller BUT full of attitude. Crazy boy though he was going to get behind me and attack at 8 weeks - - - - I saw freezer camp in his future! Needless to say, he has gone off to finishing School

In another month or two, he should be finisihed

.

I do believe some GREAT roos are temporarily held back by some alpha nasty roos. . . . My biggest guy was not the alpha roo and is still not the alpha roo.. . . Some are just BUILT big, others have to work at it. I try to set out a couple of feeders with my hatches so that the smaller or timid ones still get their share of food. I don't think I have a theory - - - I just watch to see what I can do to help each guy "be all they can be"!

 

[math ace]

Quote:
I have a BCM roo that is right at this age - - Just for the fun of it, I will grab a picture of him tomorrow. This is one of the main crazy Crowing Roos.
We named him THUNDER and it is appropriate! Lordy is that boy ever LOUD!

 

[Zanna]

Great! I would love to see him............ After more observation today, roo #1 is definitely the Alpha Roo, and, as you saw in the pics. he is the smaller roo

 

[SJensen]

Today I bought six Black Copper Maran Eggs for my broody hen to sit on. It's nice to see there is a lot of info here about the breed. Here are photos of two of the flock and my eggs.

 

[Zanna]

Quote:
How fun!! Good luck with the Momma hen and hatch. I grew up in Vancouver, BC but have lived here in Oregon for 25 years now, all my family is still up there and an aunt lives in Surrey. In fact, I was there last week for a week, younger sis had breast cancer surgery. All went as well as could have

Please post baby pics when the time comes.

 

[SJensen]

Thank you for your reply Zanna -- I hope your sister is recovering quickly. Here's a coincidence -- I grew up in the Portland area and my family is there, but have lived in BC for 14 years.

I will post baby pics -- we're really hoping for a successful hatch. This is our first time putting eggs under a broody chicken, and we thought it would be worthwhile to try Black Copper Marans.