Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[VillageChicken]

Thanks for the input on hackle stripe. There are some breeds where using the correct color SADDLE in a rooster helps give hens the correct color HACKLE. I know we've all seen the roosters without enough copper in the saddle, even though the hackle color was there. Now that we've talked about hackle stripe a little (sorry for the confusion as to what it was) what about saddle stripe? Does anyone use a rooster that doesn't have saddle stripes? Or are there roosters out there with hackle stripe but no saddle stripe? Just curious if looking at these things brings us any closer to finding a proper rooster that can throw correct hens out of a correct hen, meaning not always doing compensatory breedings (overlight x overdark to get correct).

 

[youngbiddy]

Quote:
GOOD CALL on this youngbiddy. . .. I believe the STRAW hackle is a DQ.
Where have you been hiding at youngbiddy? Nice critque.


WELCOME Barred Rocker. .. WELCOME to the MARANS thread.
Thank you for posting pics of your stock.
Do you have another roo you could use for breeding purposes?

Finding a REALLY REALLY good BCM roo is going to be one of the hardest things you will ever do.
I know that for a FACT.

I've been reading this entire thread and learning from all you pros.

I love the look of the BCM's. Earlier on this thread a guy called them ugly, but I love the shape of a long, low BCM hen. They look like they should be pecking around the feet of a brunette standing in the courtyard of a villa in the south of France. (I know it sounds totally sappy, but I think in pictures) I love the English Orps for the same reason, they make me think of misty green mornings, crumpets, and teapots. And haughty old dowagers.

I love a type-y bird. And I can't wait to see how my Bev Davis hatch shapes up. The little dudes already have nice looking chestes, if you catch my drift. I like 'em chunky.

 

[GeoKan]

Greetings all you BCM lovers!

I've just read this entire 190+ page thread, albeit took me a couple of days. This is so informative and rather fascinating. I am really excited to begin my journey as a "BCMist" and acquiring a good starter flock.

I have a couple of question if you wouldn't mind answering:

I've read there are several BCM bloodlines, ie., Bev Davis, Ron Presley, Wade-Jeane, then C1 Wade-Jeane. I have a local source about 30 minutes away that is selling Wade-Jeane C1 line of fertilized incubating eggs for $1 each. She has told me that it's a closed flock and no cross-breeding has been done. I'm not sure what the "C1" means. Could you please elaborate on this?

Also, if I'm not imposing, could you please provide some tips on incubating BCM eggs? Humidity first 18 days and at lockdown? I am building my own incubator and this will be the first time I've done this. I hope I can muster up some beginners luck.

You guys are great. Thanks in advance for helping out a greenhorn.

 

[youngbiddy]

Quote:
GeoKan: My understanding is that it is a sub-line within the Wade-Jeane line. There's a Jeane C2 as well, as far as I know.
Just to let you know from my own experience, my C1's egg color was much lighter than my Bev Davis, and some of the birds are over-coppered to the point of being unusable in a breeding program if you're breeding to the SOP. They're a month old today, so I don't know if perhaps they're going to grow out of that.

I kept my humidity at 30% in the first 18 days and upped to 65% during lockdown; I had 66% hatch and they were shipped eggs.

Good luck!

 

[ChicksterJo]

Hi everyone,
Here's my BCM roo and Blue copper pullet at about 8 weeks going on 9 I think?

My Black copper pullet died suddenly this past Monday. She had a seizure and died almost immediately. I am still devastated...

 

[youngbiddy]

Quote:
I'm sorry about your baby.

I have a question for the experts on the straw/copper/mahogany color combo that BCM's throw. From what I've read on the other Marans thread and this one, it reminds me of the way blue/black/splash works. Copper to copper, like blue to blue, throws all three; and a combo of dark (black or mahogany) and light (splash or straw) produces the mid-tone (blue or copper) that we want. Is that about right?

 

[GeoKan]

Quote:
Thank you Youngbiddy!

I'm glad I asked. Yes, I want to breed to the SOP. If you're going to do something right, might as well do it right the first time. Probably explains why the eggs were inexpensive. Now I just need to find a good source.

I'm not looking forward to shipped eggs. I've read that there's a higher chance of lower hatch rates with shipped eggs.

I even emailed Bev Davis and she gave me a source. So, I think I will pursue that avenue.

Thanks again.

 

[Debbi]

Quote:
I'm sorry about your baby.

I have a question for the experts on the straw/copper/mahogany color combo that BCM's throw. From what I've read on the other Marans thread and this one, it reminds me of the way blue/black/splash works. Copper to copper, like blue to blue, throws all three; and a combo of dark (black or mahogany) and light (splash or straw) produces the mid-tone (blue or copper) that we want. Is that about right?

As Geebs said before in this thread, "it depends".

You still have the straw gene in there, and if paired up with an otherwise nicely colored hen, if she carries the gene too, you'll get a bunch of straw hackles. I would not breed a straw colored roo, period. Straw colored hackles are a DQ.

 

[Debbi]

Well here are two shots of two different roos, showing both the hackle and saddle flames. Each roo being on the end of the spectrums; one dark, one with the lighter hackles. Keep in mind it was very bright and windy outside. Could not get a pic of any of the girls, they hate the photo shoots!

 

[Wynette]

Debbi - EXCELLENT representation of both. Thanks for posting these pics!