Black Copper Marans discussion thread

[lonnyandrinda]

From what I can tell he looks quite good- good leg feathering, good coloring, good comb, good body type given his age (he still has a lot of growing to do), good eye color as best I can tell, and good tail angle (that's a hard one to get right). That white tail feather is a BIG problem though. I hear sometimes they lose it after first molt but not always. I am interested to hear other's opinions on how it plays out in breeding.

Rinda

 

[seabreeze]

HI Lonny, not sure if you are addressing the 4 mo old roo I posted pic of or someone else? This particular roo does not have any white in his tail at all, lighting on the outside edge of one feather makes it appear lighter. (my apologies if its not the same pic)

I did acquire a nice roo but he does distinctly have 2 or 3 white tail feathers but is 7 months so not sure if he will keep after moult.

 

[lonnyandrinda]

Yes seabreeze your rooster. I wondered if that was really a white feather or if it was lighting, I know with my FBCM sometimes the photos appear to have white in the tail when it is really just a glint of sunlight. Guess not! He looks very nice then! Good job!

Rinda

 

[BrendaJ]

6 mo BCM hens.

 

[Mudpuddle]

My roo has a few small white spots.and uhis neck is rather yellow, 2 of my hens are very correct but the third has black eyes. if i bred her to the roo could i possibly get a roo that is more correct, or would it be adding insult to injury ?

 

[DMRippy]

My roo has a few small white spots.and uhis neck is rather yellow, 2 of my hens are very correct but the third has black eyes. if i bred her to the roo could i possibly get a roo that is more correct, or would it be adding insult to injury ?

The white feathers are a DQ as are the dark eyes. If you have other options I would NOT use HIM or HER. IF NOT... use him and her and CULL CULL CULL for the white feathers and dark eyes. I have had to deal with dark eyes. Not white feathers, knock on wood.

Someone else will chime in so you can get more opinions.

 

[Mudpuddle]

I was afraid of that... i have some eggs i bought in the bator. pray pray pray for better blood...

 

[lonnyandrinda]

You also want your roo to have as even of color in the hackle as possible- the grading into straw color is not good. Hopefully you will get a better choice this time around. If you were only fighting one of these issues I would say breed and cull hard, but fighting so many "bad" variables at once would be very difficult.

 

[ashandvine]

You also want your roo to have as even of color in the hackle as possible- the grading into straw color is not good. Hopefully you will get a better choice this time around. If you were only fighting one of these issues I would say breed and cull hard, but fighting so many "bad" variables at once would be very difficult.

This is a good time to ask my question: Is the black eye dominant or pervasive? If I have a cock here with great everything else and a black eye should I cull him and wait to get another or use a lesser quality cock who has the correct eye color? I am really asking about which genes are more dominant but don't know how to phrase that. I realize the trait will carry on by using said cock but it it isn't often I really don't mind as I am planning to eat culls. I was trying to read through the other threads on what a cock passes on versus what comes from the hens but I can't find a 'list' to make it something I can refer to. Anyone??

 

[Keara]

So, on this voting day, I've been thinking about this "which rooster?" question.... and choosing the "least worst" to breed forward. Over 4yrs I have had 3 breeding roosters. Each year replacing the rooster with a son if I had one that was better and, keeping the best hens and pullets. Here is what I have gone through with roosters.


these first 2 photos are my foundation rooster Frodo. Called Frodo for his middle toe feathering.
He had flaming copper, short outer toe, short back, and a touch of squirrel tail.




This was Frodoson, the son of Frodo. Some of his chicks had yellow feet so I got rid of him.
Frodoson had a short back, upright tail, and recessive yellow feet gene.




My current young rooster (no name yet) is a son of Frodoson and grandson of Frodo. I will have to test mate him to a yellow foot breed to make sure he does not carry yellow feet. His eyes are a bit dark and as he matures I am watching that his tail is not pinched.