International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[KF0002]

The egg laying capacity of the Black Copper Marans that I have is not good. Like you say 30 weeks until you get your first egg! I have 3 pullets that are 28 weeks, no eggs! There are only 52 weeks in a year. My hens started molting in late July, early Aug. No eggs! 1st of Oct still no eggs!! I think this breed has been way inbreed for egg color and the egg capacity is gone, gone, gone!! I would like to take my best egg layer and breed from her, but that is only 3 eggs a week (when they are laying) . TOM

The breed has been bred for quality (dark brown eggs), not quantity. The theory is that a Marans that lays 3 eggs a week makes up for the fewer eggs by laying darker eggs. The Marans from hatcheries that are bred for better egg production lay ligher brown eggs. Most of my spring hatch Marans pullets havent started laying yet either. Mine usually dont start until they are 6 to 8 months old. I am getting zero Marans eggs right now. The older girls are molting and the younger girls havent started yet. Its a good thing the Leghorns, Legbars, and Olive Eggers lay well. If I had strictly Marans I would have to buy eggs! LOL

 

[Old Man Tom]

View attachment 1555166 Eek. Just weeks ago I was complaining on not getting eggs. My 3 have been laying for a couple weeks now and at a good clip. I'm thinking they are taking a day off every 4th day. They are now 24 wks. I'm happy with the color too. The girl with a full copper hackle lays a speckled egg. Pretty for the basket but not a great match for my Roos. She lays the lightest egg also. I can't wait to hatch from the other 2. They have hardly any copper showing and lay a tad darker

The two in the back are very nice eggs! GOOD GOING!!

 

[Old Man Tom]

The breed has been bred for quality (dark brown eggs), not quantity. The theory is that a Marans that lays 3 eggs a week makes up for the fewer eggs by laying darker eggs. The Marans from hatcheries that are bred for better egg production lay ligher brown eggs. Most of my spring hatch Marans pullets havent started laying yet either. Mine usually dont start until they are 6 to 8 months old. I am getting zero Marans eggs right now. The older girls are molting and the younger girls havent started yet. Its a good thing the Leghorns, Legbars, and Olive Eggers lay well. If I had strictly Marans I would have to buy eggs! LOL

EXACTLY!!!

 

[Magnolia Hill]

I was sitting here looking through some pictures, figured I would share a couple.

Hope you all enjoy!

 

[marchick]

The breed has been bred for quality (dark brown eggs), not quantity. The theory is that a Marans that lays 3 eggs a week makes up for the fewer eggs by laying darker eggs. The Marans from hatcheries that are bred for better egg production lay ligher brown eggs. Most of my spring hatch Marans pullets havent started laying yet either. Mine usually dont start until they are 6 to 8 months old. I am getting zero Marans eggs right now. The older girls are molting and the younger girls havent started yet. Its a good thing the Leghorns, Legbars, and Olive Eggers lay well. If I had strictly Marans I would have to buy eggs! LOL

I thought this also! Until I got my Harvey Blue Copper Marans. I have one girl about 6 months old. She has layed 7 eggs in 8 days. Her first egg broke. I asked if that was normal to get so many eggs. He said that it is for that group of girls my birds came from. His girls have been laying like that 6 months straight. Wow! I am very happy about dark eggs and good layers.

 

[Magnolia Hill]

I thought this also! Until I got my Harvey Blue Copper Marans. I have one girl about 6 months old. She has layed 7 eggs in 8 days. Her first egg broke. I asked if that was normal to get so many eggs. He said that it is for that group of girls my birds came from. His girls have been laying like that 6 months straight. Wow! I am very happy about dark eggs and good layers.
View attachment 1557433

Lucky you! Keep it going. Year after year. Im excited to see what those birds produce.

 

[Hensndoes]

I was sitting here looking through some pictures, figured I would share a couple. View attachment 1557373 View attachment 1557375 View attachment 1557376 View attachment 1557379 View attachment 1557380 View attachment 1557378 View attachment 1557381 View attachment 1557382 View attachment 1557383 View attachment 1557384 View attachment 1557385 View attachment 1557386 View attachment 1557387 View attachment 1557388 View attachment 1557389 View attachment 1557390 View attachment 1557395
Hope you all enjoy!

Beautiful! Also makes me wonder about my hens combs - mine are so huge! One hen has gone floppy even. I suspect winter may steal that.

 

[Hensndoes]

The two in the back are very nice eggs! GOOD GOING!!

Thanks Tom! The 2 in the back are the hens I need to solicit feedback on as they are more likely to produce respectably with the Roos I have to work with.

Ya know, I washed those eggs before that pic. DIt's funny how the paper towel looks like you peed on it after eating asparagus.

 

[marchick]

Lucky you! Keep it going. Year after year. Im excited to see what those birds produce.

Thank you! I can't wait either. I plan on concentrating on the Whites and Blue Coppers. Hope to hatch a few Black Coppers. I lost my only Black Copper pullet to a leg injury. Bummer

 

[Magnolia Hill]

Beautiful! Also makes me wonder about my hens combs - mine are so huge! One hen has gone floppy even. I suspect winter may steal that.

They say if you live in a hotter climate the bigger the combs usually are. I don't know how much truth is behind it but i can see the reasoning.