How to know quality of my Black Copper Marans

[rehric00]

Hi everyone!

I have purchased a straight run of 7 BCMs this past spring. They are probably 3 months old now. I am lucky to say that of the 7, only 2 are roos.

My question is... How do I know the quality of the birds I have? I paid $3 a piece and got them from a lady who hatches them at her home from her own birds. They are not from a hatchery.

6 of the 7 are 100% black with a blue/green shimmer to their feathers. One of the roos shows some of the copper color and has a "fluffy" face, almost like a beard.

Obviously, they are not laying yet- but how do I know if my birds are "show quality" or are worth anything or if I would be able to sell chicks next spring?

To be quite honest, I am not in this for the show or bragging rights, but I would like to know if my birds are more than "just another bird in the flock" if you know what I mean

I will post pics when I have a little more time later on today. But any tips or advice you have is much appreciated!

 

[rehric00]

Here are some pics. The first two are the same roo, the third os a hen and the last is the solid black roo.

 

[flgardengirl]

The roo in the first two photos appears to be a BCM mixed with an Ameraucana. See his fuzzy cheeks and his legs are more greenish than slate...Also he appears to have more of a pea comb than straight and his body is longer more Ameraucana like than Marans. Lots of folks make Olive Eggers by crossing the Marans to Ameraucanas.

The second two look Marans from what I can see. It would be good if you could post more close up pics to truly evaluate. I am thinking the darker Marans roo is a Black Copper Marans who is over melanized. He might get some mahogany coppering on his neck and saddles as he matures.

The hen looks a little dark too but hens can get their hackle coloring later than the roosters. She could use a little heavier leg feathering so when you pick a roo for her you want one with heavy shank feathering and a good well balanced copper. Watch her eyes and make sure they lighten up to the reddish bay color that they are supposed to be. It is common for them to be dark right now but they should lighten up.

 

[Nanamom]

Hi everyone!

I have purchased a straight run of 7 BCMs this past spring. They are probably 3 months old now. I am lucky to say that of the 7, only 2 are roos.

My question is... How do I know the quality of the birds I have? I paid $3 a piece and got them from a lady who hatches them at her home from her own birds. They are not from a hatchery.

6 of the 7 are 100% black with a blue/green shimmer to their feathers. One of the roos shows some of the copper color and has a "fluffy" face, almost like a beard.

Obviously, they are not laying yet- but how do I know if my birds are "show quality" or are worth anything or if I would be able to sell chicks next spring?

To be quite honest, I am not in this for the show or bragging rights, but I would like to know if my birds are more than "just another bird in the flock" if you know what I mean

I will post pics when I have a little more time later on today. But any tips or advice you have is much appreciated!

Aren't all Marans supposed to have feathered legs?

 

[The Moonshiner]

They can be feathered legs or non feathered legs depending on which standard they're bred towards.

 

[Kristee]

Hm. They don't look too much like mine, but then again this is my first BCM so I'm definitely not an expert (meaning yours may be marans too). I paid $30 for a two day old chick though, so you've got yourself a bargain for sure. Regardless, your chickens are gorgeous. Though the male does looked like an EE (fluffy face as mentioned), he's downright stunning.