ZurcherFarms
Songster
- Jan 9, 2018
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- 127
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Hello from Nebraska!
I have 7 Black Copper Marans and 1 Splash Marans Rooster that I hatched out in December and February. I'm trying to figure out which ones I should keep for breeding purposes. All of them came from "good lines" but we all know there are plenty cull birds from show lines... I had more than 7 roosters but have culled all with any really obvious problems like comb sprigs, etc.
In my program I'm trying to breed for darker egg color, and I've marked my darkest eggs that hatched (my birds have wing tags), so I'll keep those two. My question is, what about the rest? Which traits should I value more in BCM? All of them have roughly the same body shape, none are too V or upright. Most are missing their feathers on their legs, but that is because they're all in a pen of strictly roosters (that are getting cramped, hence why I need to make a decision and cull some) and the other breeds I have in there are not fond of the feathers on their legs and pick at them (Bielefelder, Cream Legbar, and Ice Cream Bar). The Marans in the pen are three different ages, the oldest "Midas" (because he was the only shipped egg that hatched, making him a $45 bird) has the most copper and black spots on his comb from the other roosters messing with him. He's our friendliest, but came out of the lightest egg in the whole batch, barely a #4 on the scale. Then 2-3 are about 4 weeks younger than him, and the rest are 2 weeks younger than the others. So some are smaller and have a lot less developed hackles, etc.
Main differences in the birds that I can notice are how much copper feathers they have (some lean more towards a mahogany color, but may lighten up as they mature fully and the feathers grow) and the shape of their comb. At least one rooster has a much darker face. Is it more important to cull for copper coloring in the BCM or symmetrical points on the comb? I would love opinions! I'm new to this breed and these are my first batch, I want to start my breeding program right. TIA!
"Midas" Light egg, lots of copper.
I have 7 Black Copper Marans and 1 Splash Marans Rooster that I hatched out in December and February. I'm trying to figure out which ones I should keep for breeding purposes. All of them came from "good lines" but we all know there are plenty cull birds from show lines... I had more than 7 roosters but have culled all with any really obvious problems like comb sprigs, etc.
In my program I'm trying to breed for darker egg color, and I've marked my darkest eggs that hatched (my birds have wing tags), so I'll keep those two. My question is, what about the rest? Which traits should I value more in BCM? All of them have roughly the same body shape, none are too V or upright. Most are missing their feathers on their legs, but that is because they're all in a pen of strictly roosters (that are getting cramped, hence why I need to make a decision and cull some) and the other breeds I have in there are not fond of the feathers on their legs and pick at them (Bielefelder, Cream Legbar, and Ice Cream Bar). The Marans in the pen are three different ages, the oldest "Midas" (because he was the only shipped egg that hatched, making him a $45 bird) has the most copper and black spots on his comb from the other roosters messing with him. He's our friendliest, but came out of the lightest egg in the whole batch, barely a #4 on the scale. Then 2-3 are about 4 weeks younger than him, and the rest are 2 weeks younger than the others. So some are smaller and have a lot less developed hackles, etc.
Main differences in the birds that I can notice are how much copper feathers they have (some lean more towards a mahogany color, but may lighten up as they mature fully and the feathers grow) and the shape of their comb. At least one rooster has a much darker face. Is it more important to cull for copper coloring in the BCM or symmetrical points on the comb? I would love opinions! I'm new to this breed and these are my first batch, I want to start my breeding program right. TIA!
"Midas" Light egg, lots of copper.
Black French Copper Marans lay huge eggs . They tend to be somewhat lazy layers . Meaning they aren't my best producers by any means .Also because of the large eggs they can and will die, from tracks being torn up from laying such large eggs .Their first year is their best year in my experience . If you are going for egg color then SOP means nothing . If your going for show SOP means everything. Honestly chickens and birds are the fastest breeding program there is. Pullets you hatch this month you'll see eggs from in November most likely .So if you get large fertile pullet eggs you could see those hatchlings by January . And they then will be laying by next May or June .I have to say ,you can't make a decision on roosters bunched up in a grow out . They will tear each other up . Grow out your roosters separately if possible . Or in pairs depending of the number of hens you plan to have in a breeding pen . This way you can see the true rooster. And then you can decide . If paired as hatchlings they won't fight to bad as adults . If you going for egg color and SOP, then pick your roosters using those markers to make you decision . Which is the closest one to SOP from the darkest egg
I just hatch all the eggs light and dark ,When I feel I have enough then I stop hatching .Marans have very dominate size and color genes when it comes to cross breeding . Whatever you cross them too will be black an bigger .The cross bred back will then have the feathered legs . One of my best selling roosters at the flea market, is a cross between a Marans and a Gold Laced Wayndotte.Your in it now for sure. Where you go now depends you . 
