Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[ashandvine]

I love marans too! lol... marans, ameraucanas...and now blue andalusians! woohoo!

After seeing Blue Andalusans when reading about your project I admit briefly considering them. As it is I feel like a junior repeat of Sand Hill. Maine weather isn't so kind. I love some of the blues I have seen in BYC. Done well they are my favorite, but done poorly I find them drab. A real blue, not just dark grey, is ... splendid. I am trying for a blue hatch here. I like my splash roo... but he isn't gorgeous like the ones JB shows. I'm having a hard time keeping DH supportive. He hates buying feed so buying a really nice roo... probably not going to happen. He does like the Marans but I think he sees dollar signs not the many beauties and values of the breed. Its pretty frustrating-- hence, me joining BYC so that some one else can talk shop with me. Gratitude everyday.

 

[heath_elisha]

After seeing Blue Andalusans when reading about your project I admit briefly considering them. As it is I feel like a junior repeat of Sand Hill. Maine weather isn't so kind. I love some of the blues I have seen in BYC. Done well they are my favorite, but done poorly I find them drab. A real blue, not just dark grey, is ... splendid. I am trying for a blue hatch here. I like my splash roo... but he isn't gorgeous like the ones JB shows. I'm having a hard time keeping DH supportive. He hates buying feed so buying a really nice roo... probably not going to happen. He does like the Marans but I think he sees dollar signs not the many beauties and values of the breed. Its pretty frustrating-- hence, me joining BYC so that some one else can talk shop with me. Gratitude everyday.

My husband always sees $$$ when I talk about getting more blue marans lol. I love the color and just need to have more. He thinks I have learned and seen too much on BYC lol. I would sell most all my beauty mutts to have more blues in the backyard

Not to mention the chocolate eggs.... I can not wait! I have 4 pullets that are at POL and I check all day long for the "new" eggs in the coop lol. Problem is two are birchen blue splash - I want them to go because I want copper not birchen and don't want to mix the colors later if we breed them. He just doesn't get that silver and gold don't go together! lol

 

[Christie Rhae]

My husband is just glad my hobby of chickens keeps me at home. lol. I used to travel a lot for work. He would be left alone to take care of the kids, in addition to running his own business, many times a year. Now that chicken genetics has completely taken over my brain I am totally content to stay home and work on my chicken projects. He never would tell me before that he didn't want me to travel cuz he knew it made me happy. But he is thrilled not to be left alone so often now.
So when I ask for another chicken structure he doesn't complain too much. Right now we are finishing up rooster pens. I have a row of 2 x 3 x 3 foot single pens...6 of them. I wanted them for roosters that I am not using, a hurt bird, single matings, etc. I have 5 large pens and realized that some smaller pens to keep a bird in would be really helpful.
And I never even add up what I have spent on eggs and birds...that way if my husband asks I can honestly say that I have no idea. lol

 

[Arielle]

For all of you with hubbies that are not happy with chickens, start getting interested in horses! I assure you DH will be happy if you decide to stick with just chickens.

My husband got interested in the chickens when Irene hit and he offered to take the incubator to work. the first baby chick chirped endlessly unless he held it. Hooked!! I just hatch a duck for him, because he asked.

 

[ashandvine]

For all of you with hubbies that are not happy with chickens, start getting interested in horses! I assure you DH will be happy if you decide to stick with just chickens.

My husband got interested in the chickens when Irene hit and he offered to take the incubator to work. the first baby chick chirped endlessly unless he held it. Hooked!! I just hatch a duck for him, because he asked.

Oh my. Yes yes. I wanted sheep but horses are a better idea. We'll sell eggs and maybe chicks but... its not about making money for me.

 

[DMRippy]

For all of you with hubbies that are not happy with chickens, start getting interested in horses! I assure you DH will be happy if you decide to stick with just chickens.

My husband got interested in the chickens when Irene hit and he offered to take the incubator to work. the first baby chick chirped endlessly unless he held it. Hooked!! I just hatch a duck for him, because he asked.

Hubby just told me I could not have ANYTHING else EVER......

 

[Arielle]

Quote:

Sorry Donna.

DH and I bought our first sheep before we were married, then I bought my first horse for 1$. I've been breeding sheep and horses ever since then. My horse is 25 years old now . . . and I assure you chicken math applies to other farm animals too!

 

[ashandvine]

Alright. So this is the painful question. I have littles here from Miss Donna Rippey and I have stock here from Taylor farms. I have a cockerel from each-- all young, and pullets to go with. Should I continue the line breeding or swap roosters?
Also, in looking at the littles (what I call them) the boys clearly have a different body type, even at 4-5 weeks. Pullets are heavier bodied and cockerels not only have the comb but they also have longer necks and smaller bodies. The girls remind me of black viking ships! The boys look like little cockerels How can I look at these traits, or for others, and make a best guess as to who might breed well?
Okay, why all the white on their faces??
Some have really long beaks and are a bit... on the ugly side. I assume its their awkward age. Is this fine?

 

[heath_elisha]

Alright. So this is the painful question. I have littles here from Miss Donna Rippey and I have stock here from Taylor farms. I have a cockerel from each-- all young, and pullets to go with. Should I continue the line breeding or swap roosters?
Also, in looking at the littles (what I call them) the boys clearly have a different body type, even at 4-5 weeks. Pullets are heavier bodied and cockerels not only have the comb but they also have longer necks and smaller bodies. The girls remind me of black viking ships! The boys look like little cockerels How can I look at these traits, or for others, and make a best guess as to who might breed well?
Okay, why all the white on their faces??
Some have really long beaks and are a bit... on the ugly side. I assume its their awkward age. Is this fine?

They will be in the awkward stage for at least another 12 weeks. The white on the faces should disappear in the next 2 weeks. Mine are now 7 weeks old (from dmrippy) and they are changing everyday. Stocky little things Takes time to really see what they will be..... just enjoy the cuties!



Before (black and white one in the middle)



At 7 weeks now. Two weeks ago this black copper had white on it's face still..... (hot day, relaxing....)

 

[ashandvine]

Thank you so much. I am trying to read most of this thread but its slow going. The pics in the begining are great. I have another question:
Does the eye color on the littles mean anything? Has anyone followed their young long enough to know if they green/grey eye colors indicate gene traits or grow up to have melanizer or straw coloring... you know the drill.