Blue Copper and Splash Copper Marans Discussion

[pinkchick]

I think........I am....but in very small steps. The female that has some copper has a better tone of copper (even though you can't see it) than any female I have had has had. (have had has had...LOL that is a mouth ful, say that 10 x fast ), however, I do wish they showed more of it. She has a good amount around and under the ear and has a good amount down the back of the hackle and she is the only one that has not turned dark after the first signs of copper, that in itself is a good direction for my too dark of birds.
This male has taken his time to show any color at all....for the longest time I thought he was just going to be a dark one and would not show anything, but the red in wing bow is not as mahogany colored as his fathers and the hackles are a deeper copper tone instead of being washed out or too dark.

So what say you to your question.........am I moving in a better direction?




Don was going to tell me how to better the copper at one time not too long ago but he must have gotten busy and never elaborated.

 

[gilavina]

I think........I am....but in very small steps. The female that has some copper has a better tone of copper (even though you can't see it) than any female I have had has had. (have had has had...LOL that is a mouth ful, say that 10 x fast

), however, I do wish they showed more of it. She has a good amount around and under the ear and has a good amount down the back of the hackle and she is the only one that has not turned dark after the first signs of copper, that in itself is a good direction for my too dark of birds.
This male has taken his time to show any color at all....for the longest time I thought he was just going to be a dark one and would not show anything, but the red in wing bow is not as mahogany colored as his fathers and the hackles are a deeper copper tone instead of being washed out or too dark.

So what say you to your question.........am I moving in a better direction?

Don was going to tell me how to better the copper at one time not too long ago but he must have gotten busy and never elaborated.

I think it looks like you are moving in the right direction. From girls with no color to even just some color in one generation is a good step. As long as you are mindful of your matings you should keep getting more and more. It will become second nature after a while when it comes to deciding. When it comes to the blues I do have a bit of an unfair advantage since blue genetics is what I have worked with since I was a tot.

 

[DMRippy]

VICKI can you elaborate more on how you are going to open tails? it seems to be rampant in Marans.

DON I too would like to hear about the copper on females.

 

[gilavina]

VICKI can you elaborate more on how you are going to open tails? it seems to be rampant in Marans.

DON I too would like to hear about the copper on females.

To get more open tails you have to be rigorous in selecting those with the best width from the front to the back of the bird. Then out of those with the best width, I see which have the best tail carriage and openess and mate them together and select for all of the same above in the offspring. Works well, but have to be willing to pass up using beautiful birds sometimes that just don't have the width they need. Too many marans have a tear drop shape when looking at them from the top, where the point of the tear drop would be at the base of the tail. I cull any that have that regardless of being pretty. There are plenty of people around here wanting layers and process the cockerels for dinners, so no waste. That's what I worked on first with the black coppers and the majority come out with much better width in just a couple of generations of work. This is a particular uphill battle in the birchens since the quality of stock is just not as prevalent.

 

[Chad Cool]

I have 2 and half dozen eggs on the way!!!!!!!!! Black Copper Marans, Blue Marans, and Cuckoo Marans. I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Wynette]

October 12 – 13, 2013
Michigan Poultry Fanciers
Michigan Fowl Fest ~ Birch Run, Michigan

Marans Egg Show*

Ribbons awarded for Best of each variety & People’s Choice
Trophy: Best Overall

**JUST for FUN**

$20 Cash Prize to the winner of each contest below!!

The special contests below are all based on 3-egg sets,
just as with regular egg shows. All must be
Marans eggs (or Marans cross for first contest):

Prettiest “Olive-egger” eggs

Most Heavily Speckled

Smallest set (by weight - all 3 egg weights combined)

*Anyone can enter – you need not be an MCCUSA member to enter!
$5 entry fee for each set of 3 eggs entered (eggs will be destroyed
upon end of contest, unless we are otherwise instructed)

PM with any questions, and for more information and a PDF of the entry form.
Eggs must be received by Thursday, October 10 (you may also submit them in person at the show no later than 10 a.m. Saturday).​

 

[AandAranch]

I really like this thread. I'm thinking about getting into breeding black copper and blue copper marans but don't know exactly where to start. I have a feeling I'll get alot of help through this thread though.

 

[Chad Cool]

Quote:
Yes you will learn alot from here. I'm in the same boat as you. I just started with BCM. I have 6 in the pen right now and 21/2 dozen eggs on the way. i wish you the best of luck my friend.

 

[desertmarcy]

Gilavina, did you have a chance to look at the other photos of my Blue Copper cockerels that I posted? I am wondering of the group of 9 I originally posted, if you see some obvious culls.
Thanks.

 

[gilavina]

I'll look for ya when I get home from work. Hard to see much on my phone at the moment