Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[Wynette]

Keara, those hens are just lovely! I love how full they are!

 

[Noymira]

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What's a DP flock? I don't speak fluent BYC.

DP is dual purpose, that means we are going to be breeding for meat as well as eggs. These birds get to be a good size, and from what I hear good eating!

 

[Noymira]

Quote:
Thanks! I think he's really pretty, and he's big!

 

[Debbi]

Quote:
What's a DP flock? I don't speak fluent BYC.

DP is dual purpose, that means we are going to be breeding for meat as well as eggs. These birds get to be a good size, and from what I hear good eating!

Oh, duh! I knew that.

Evidently, not enough coffee in me when I read it. Kept trying to think of the breed "DP"!

 

[Wynette]

Quote:
Thanks! I think he's really pretty, and he's big!

Since he has a bit of extra coppering in his chest, he would be a good one to put over some overmelanised gals - it would help increase the copper hackle feathering in them.

I have heard they are good eating as well! I think it's AWESOME that you're breeding toward that goal, too!

 

[Noymira]

Quote:
So I want to know how you get them to hold still for the camera? Mine always run away and I can never get good shots.

I love how this guy turned out, I have kept 2 of his brothers (from younger hatches) and hope I see something like Dr. Ruckus when they mature! Glad to hear he is a good protector too.

here are some pictures of the flock he cam from,
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e283/KearaMc/P4220008.jpg

and one of his Dad taken last fall, before the frost took his comb.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e283/KearaMc/PA250009.jpg

Thanks Keara! You're birds are just beautiful, all of them!

I spent a good 10 minutes squatting in the dirt in my run and just waited! A little black oil sunflower seed on the ground helped keep them generally still, plus he's a pretty mellow guy anyway.

 

[Noymira]

Quote:
Thanks! I think he's really pretty, and he's big!

Since he has a bit of extra coppering in his chest, he would be a good one to put over some overmelanised gals - it would help increase the copper hackle feathering in them.

I have heard they are good eating as well! I think it's AWESOME that you're breeding toward that goal, too!

Thanks! I just jumped right into the chicken thing this year, so I started with one idea in mind (just 4-6 laying hens) and this has all developed quickly. I've really enjoyed working with these birds and am very excited about breeding them for eggs and food. This has been a big learning experience for me and I'm very happy returning to my farming roots. I'm also looking forward to sharing the experience and knowledge with my daughter as she grows.

We are looking to use our 2.5 acres to produce a lot of our own food and work more towards self sufficiency over the next 5-10 years. The land we own has been in my family 5 generations now, so it means a great deal to me to be working it!

 

[stoopid]

Ok, I am so confused... How many Marans threads are there? I posted something yesterday, so I will try it again on this thread. My apologies if you guys are tired of me asking questions...
I have this boy, Clyde. He is 6 months old, has no manners, and crows ALL DAY LONG. I am at wits end! The pictures are not too good, but let's see what everyone thinks...

His brother has manners and class, but is Birchen.

I also have another splash, no pics yet, as he is just crazy, and not staying, although I know the color thing BBS.
So my question, I think, is should I keep Clyde? I have a few more 3 month olds that have some potential, he can be replaced!
Thanks, Roberta

 

[snowbird]

Quote:
Thanks! I think he's really pretty, and he's big!

Since he has a bit of extra coppering in his chest, he would be a good one to put over some overmelanised gals - it would help increase the copper hackle feathering in them.

I have heard they are good eating as well! I think it's AWESOME that you're breeding toward that goal, too!

Wynette, I would really be worried about the amount of feather shafting on the chest and along the side if I were breeding to the SOP. The back has a nice slope as required. I do not know if the poster is interested in the SOP though. The only breeding male I used this year with copper in the chest produced nothing but culls. I used four males with no copper in breast over mostly black females and almost all the female had nice copper necks.

I really suggests that more do single matings if you are breeding to the SOP. So much easier to see what is producing nice young.

 

[snowbird]

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Question before I comment, Are all these Marans out of the same mating and do you have all of these colors in the breeding pen. What are you mainly interested is doing, are you interested in breeding to the SOP ? It has a lot to do with how you plan on breeding forward.