Help I Inherited a flock and have no clue what they are

[Indyshent]

He does look a lot like mine, so if they are B.C. Maran are those good layers? Are they nice? (I have 5 kids) etc. And most of all do they make good mommys?

Also yes they were all supposed to be the same breed. There just over a year and a half old. Also Idk if it makes a difference but that same iridescent green over black on the roos tail is on all the hens back feathers as well. And the roos do have the smallest hints of feathers on there legs but I just thought it was a mutation or I was seeing things.

Yes all the girls have at least a little bit of the orange color on there chest some have obviously more than others

And one last question (for now) IDK if any one noticed but there are 2 roos and I have about 7 girls. The roos do fight a little that I have seen, but not a lot, should I get rid of one and if so do I keep the one that's getting picked on (he let me pick him up today!!!!) or the dominant one that will give stronger offspring. And I know the answer is what do you want out of them" I want a good strong flock that I can get baby's from that is hand tame.

I have no experience whatsoever with Marans. I've heard they're standoffish and good layers of darker brown eggs than most breeds. If your roos get along well enough, I'd go ahead and keep both. Flock dynamics can take wildly different tones if a dominant roo disappears. Your submissive one may not be the same at all if he's in the position of authority--this happens often. He'll seem sweet and quiet while someone's keeping him in line, but as soon as that obstacle's removed, he might turn into a true blue jerk and is very likely to crow his head off for awhile. If they're got things figured out, they'll be quieter and happier in the long run. Mostly, watch who watches over the girls and how often and nice he is about mating. If you've got a chivalrous guy who watches over his girls, fearlessly protects them from threats, makes sure they're eating enough and doesn't rip his girls apart when mating them, you're golden and should keep him. If he runs from threats and shoves his girls out of the way so he can eat first, if his girls are missing copious feathers about the neck and you hear a lot of squawking and rape going on, he needs a vacation in freezer camp.

Having a backup roo isn't a bad idea. Sometimes one can't get the job done. Sometimes life happens a roo disappears or is killed in the line of duty, and when that happens, it's great to have another roo waiting who already knows everyone. Bringing in a new grown rooster can give you all kinds of headaches because you have no idea how the flock dynamics will change, but if you already have one waiting, you're less likely to get those awful surprises. If need be, go ahead and separate your boys into different pens or allow one group to free range at a time. You'll likely get more noise this way, however, as both roos will try to be dominant. Might settle after awhile, but roos often keep each other busy in crowing contests.

 

[Spangled]

If your roos get along well enough, I'd go ahead and keep both. Flock dynamics can take wildly different tones if a dominant roo disappears. Your submissive one may not be the same at all if he's in the position of authority--this happens often. He'll seem sweet and quiet while someone's keeping him in line, but as soon as that obstacle's removed, he might turn into a true blue jerk and is very likely to crow his head off for awhile. If they're got things figured out, they'll be quieter and happier in the long run.

X100 to the above!!!

 

[BantamLover21]

Most of the hens look like Black Sex-links, with a few (the pure black ones) being Black Australorps. The rooster is probably a mix.