How bad are black eyes in copper marans?

[Hensndoes]

Junebuggena is right and I've finally come to terms with both my chicks are boys. At almost 10 weeks I'm starting to think about getting rid of my Black Eyed Susan now Boy Named Sue. He is the darker of my chicks. The other is lighter but the comb isn't as pretty.

My goal- mate over my CLB for olive eggers. Long term - if either boy is quality enough- start breeding for conformation. Is it too early to tell body type or pick? Is the black eyes a curse? Or is he to blocky (quite a bit bigger / rounder shape than the lighter who tried to mate at 6 weeks)?

Edit to add: the lighter has beautiful gold eyes

As a newb any feedback on either is greatly appreciated!

 

[Pyxis]

Do you plan on using the one you keep later over marans hens and that's what you mean by breeding for conformation? Or are you just going to use him for olive eggers? If for olive eggers, it doesn't really matter, since there's no standard to breed olive eggers to. If you plan to breed marans down the road, I'd let them grow out more, then ask the opinion of those in the marans breeders threads to see which they think you should keep.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

The blue/green eyes turn bay red later in age. It's too soon to be evaluating eye color until they change. 15 to 16 weeks you'll see.

 

[Hensndoes]

Ty both! I did look at early pics and it almost looks like the lighter had darker eyes too. Sue's are starting looking olive colored now so I will wait. He is a late bloomer despite being from same breeder. He is just starting to get copper - but it is a nice deep copper.

Pyxis - I do plan on getting more marans after we build the addition to the coop and run. The other half wants to show at the local fair. These are blue so not SOP but I do believe there is a category the could go in. I really like the lacing on Sue. It's more defined. His copper is deep color too just not much of it yet. As blue isn't accepted I'm having trouble finding a link about blues.

Much appreciated!

 

[snowbird]

The blue/green eyes turn bay red later in age. It's too soon to be evaluating eye color until they change. 15 to 16 weeks you'll see.

Looking at the age of this male already, I believe it is wishful thinking to think his eyes will change.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Reddish bay is the eye color for Marans per the American standard of Perfection 44th edition.

 

[3riverschick]

Don't use a black eyed bird in your breeding program. it's just something you don't want to perpetuate in your gene pool .
Karen

 

[PolloPollito]

Don't use a black eyed bird in your breeding program. it's just something you don't want to perpetuate in your gene pool .
Karen

Why? I have a black eyed chicken as well… black copper Marans

Is that bad?

-pollopollito

 

[Egghead_Jr]

If you breed to the standard- eyes are bay.

 

[PolloPollito]

Ok… I guess her eyes are chocolate…
So she’s not a showgirl?

She’s a beauty!!

Thanks

-ananda (pollo)