black copper Marans vs. black Marans

[blackdotte]

The Genetics Calculator is a very useful tool but be aware it does not include every known gene, or the effect of every gene combination. Read the note on Buffs.
The various undocumented melanisers were called 'ebonies' by Jeffery. The first melanisers were found by Carefoot and Smyth Jnr, both were called Melanotic but as one was dominant and the other recessive they were renamed Melanotic and charcoal respectively.
Other recessive melanisers that have been isolated include Hackle-Black, Schwarzer Kopf (Black head) &, Matt Black.
David

 

[tberggren]

So if I wanted Black Marans how would I go about finding some and being able to make sure that it is not a BC just missing the copper coloring??

 

[Byrdj]

Quote:
David, since Langstans were used to create Marans couldn't the dark eyes be a throwback from them? Is it possible to mate two Marans with dark eyes and still get the orangey-red eye desired from their offspring?

 

[blackdotte]

" So if I wanted Black Marans how would I go about finding some and being able to make sure that it is not a BC just missing the copper coloring?"

Buy some or make your own.
First mating would be an ER/ER Birchen (preferred but failing that a BC) male over an E/E Cuckoo hen, this would result in F1 chicks that would be E/ER ,Cuckoo males & Black pullets.
Mate the F1s together and cull all except the Blacks. These Blacks will be 50% E/E (what you want) & 50% E/ER, the darkest without any colour showing are more likely to be the E/E birds.
Mate the best Black male to a Cuckoo hen, cull the cuckoo males.
You can test mate but selection of the best Blacks will get you there,
David

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Quote:
David, since Langstans were used to create Marans couldn't the dark eyes be a throwback from them? Is it possible to mate two Marans with dark eyes and still get the orangey-red eye desired from their offspring?

pssst... Langshans....

 

[blackdotte]

"since Langshans were used to create Marans couldn't the dark eyes be a throwback from them? Is it possible to mate two Marans with dark eyes and still get the orangey-red eye desired from their offspring?"

Very little is known about eye colour genetics. In general terms the genes that affect the deposition or removal of melanin in the plumage and shanks have the same effect on eye colour.
Extended Black deposits the most melanin, followed by Birchen, then Duckwing & Brown, and least by Wheaten.
The melanisers add melanin, and genes such as Barring (Cuckoo), Dermal Inhibitor, & Dilute remove it.
The French Standard states that Blacks tend to have darker shanks,beaks and toe nails, and orangey- red eyes are more difficult to obtain.
So to answer your question, if the birds are homozygous for Extended Black & the melanisers, and do not have the Dermal Inhibitors it might be very difficult.
However,unlike Langshans, good Black Marans have the sex linked Dermal Inhibitor gene ,which results in lighter shank, beak, toenail & eye colour. This is more pronounced in the homozygous male than the hemizygous hen.
David

 

[sissyjo]

What if you have a blue or black chick hatched from a blue hen/splash rooster that have turned out to have black eyes? The hen and rooster both have the reddish eyes. I have 2 pullets and a cockerel that have black eyes. They are about 4 months old. What is the cause of the dark eyes and should they be culled?