Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[seabreeze]

Lisa, nice looking boy; I love the big feathers, reminds me of the Friesian I used to have

In all seriousness, I like him (for whatever that's worth)

 

[flgardengirl]

You should name him Doc Marten

 

[susannemw]

So, I hope no one is offended.... are excess maran, barnevelder or olive egger roosters good eating? What would their approximate processing age be, anything else I may need to know?

 

[Lotsapaints]

Quote:
All excess roosters are good eating process them when ever they get big enough for you...I get many so I start processing them @ 12 weeks they are just the right size to stir fry and the bigger ones cook up nice on the BBQ

 

[Hens and Roos]

Quote:
All excess roosters are good eating process them when ever they get big enough for you...I get many so I start processing them @ 12 weeks they are just the right size to stir fry and the bigger ones cook up nice on the BBQ

The older they get tends to make them a bit tougher, we go out to 5 months and try not to go past 6 months old if we can help it. They are good in the crockpot and than made into pulled BBQ sandwiches!

 

[Bravo]

Quote:
All excess roosters are good eating process them when ever they get big enough for you...I get many so I start processing them @ 12 weeks they are just the right size to stir fry and the bigger ones cook up nice on the BBQ

My Marans boys are BIG but lanky at 12 weeks. We thought about doing it then but it just didn't seem worth the effort for such little meat. I've got everyone on meat bird food but they are still on the skinny side 3 weeks later. How do you get yours meaty enough to make it worth processing?

 

[math ace]

Quote:
What does IKR mean ? ?

 

[Debbi]

Quote:
What does IKR mean ? ?

I was wondering too. Maybe; "I know, right?" ???

 

[math ace]

Quote:
OK, here is the DEAL -- --

I have my main roo and his 4 BCM sons.

One boy is 6 months old and is driving me crazy with his CONSTANT crowing. He is so DANG LOUD - - THUNDER is his name and it is appropriate.
He is in a bachelor pad without a woman and is NOT HAPPY about it!

Then I have these THREE younger cockerels. These guys are 3 1/2 months old. They have started to loudly crow and get sassy with each other.

I might make it another month before I go CRAZY from the crowing. .. . . So, I am going to need some help getting the four sons down to ONE.
The younger sons are all going through their juvie molt right now. . . . When they finish, I will take some really good pictures of the bachelors.

So, we are going to have to get our Nit Picking glasses out and get them ready . . . . . I will include a picture of the daddy roo, so that you can see what I already have. I like him - - - he doesn't crow too much and is a sweety to the ladies and listens me. So, I am keeping daddy roo . . .. despite his white feather issues. I may never hatch an egg from him again, BUT he is too good of a boy to go to my freezer!

 

[math ace]

Quote:
All excess roosters are good eating process them when ever they get big enough for you...I get many so I start processing them @ 12 weeks they are just the right size to stir fry and the bigger ones cook up nice on the BBQ

My Marans boys are BIG but lanky at 12 weeks. We thought about doing it then but it just didn't seem worth the effort for such little meat. I've got everyone on meat bird food but they are still on the skinny side 3 weeks later. How do you get yours meaty enough to make it worth processing?

I don't think they are big enough to harvest until about 20 weeks. If the meat is tougher at that point, then there is the crockpot for barbeque or the boiling on the stove top for chicken tacos or chicken and dumplings.