International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[kcrandall]

Ok, thank you so much. I, of course, dont have anything medical for chickens except a vitamin powder to add to water. (called stress aide). I will start with that.
B12 - can I use human B12 ? can I use human baby aspirin? ( I have bayer) I am very unprepared for sick chickens it seems.

Here is the B-12 Dosage for chickens. Vitamin B deficiency in chickens can cause neurological symptoms such as leg weakness and imbalance.

 

[kcrandall]

The Marans SOP states that that plummage should be moderately tight and smooth textured. You may recall that we have mentioned tight or loose feathering in some of our critiques. I thought I would share an example of loose feathering (undesirable) in one of my growout pullets. I will wait until after her final juvenile molt but I suspect that this fault will not improve. She will most likely end up in my layer pen unless she lays an exceptionally dark egg then I may consider single mating her then culling hard for loose plumage. In the pics, notice how the feathers are fluffed outward from the middle of her back towards her tail.

 

[Punkybrewster]

I notice my marans with overfeathering on their feet have loose extra fluff around their thighs and such.

The ones with correct, feathering on their feet have better, tighter plumage.

I guess thats a no brainer...haha

 

[kfelton0002]

The topline starts at the base of the comb and ends at the tip of the tail. Each breed has their own specific topline (or shape, if you will) based on the Standard of Perfection (SOP) for that breed. In simple terms, we want our Marans to look like a Marans shape-wise. This is why we stress the importance of type first when breeding a new line of Marans. We can have a beautifully colored Marans Hen but if she looks like a Cochin then she is not correct per the Marans SOP. The Bottomline is equally important as well.

Couldn't have stated it better!

 

[kfelton0002]

Had a skunk take out my favorite blue cockerel that I was watching just the other day..

I'm so sorry! That is terrible.

I've had the same run of bad luck this year, time and again! I had 3 very nice and clear eyed marans grow outs in a large outdoor brooder with some young Games a few days ago I've been watching closely. A cockerel and two pullets, all starting to show proper copper coloring, but too young to join the older grow outs. Rats burrowed in and wiped the entire pen out. The birds were too young to roost and were sitting ducks on the ground. I have waged war on the rats and have been putting out poison. I hate them!!

 

[kfelton0002]

Personally while it may not be sop I think the chest copper specks is very attractive on the birds. Someone please correct me but I do not think the chest copper is considered a fault.

It is considered a fault if it is in excess, it is said over 10% is too much amongst some show Marans folks. It is not a DQ. Judges want to see very little to no chest leakage in show. However, chest leakage on males can be useful in the breeding pen but it shouldn't be excessive. I personally like very minimal chest leakage. None is acceptable on females in show. I choose not to breed mossy or overcolored females.

 

[kcrandall]

I'm so sorry! That is terrible.

I've had the same run of bad luck this year, time and again! I had 3 very nice and clear eyed marans grow outs in a large outdoor brooder with some young Games a few days ago I've been watching closely. A cockerel and two pullets, all starting to show proper copper coloring, but too young to join the older grow outs. Rats burrowed in and wiped the entire pen out. The birds were too young to roost and were sitting ducks on the ground. I have waged war on the rats and have been putting out poison. I hate them!!

So sorry Kayla!!

 

[kfelton0002]

Hey everyone. I posted this on the emergency thread, but thought one of you guys may be able to help me.

She is a 20 wk old pullet. Just yesterday I was watching her check out the nesting boxes and I was happy she was doing that!! she was free ranging and chest bumping with her flock mates, she roosted fine at 7 pm. This morning when I opened the coop and everyone ran out- she was laying in the hay, so I moved to her, and she scooted away on her chest/face/ flapping all over and pushing with her legs. I had a 10 am appointment to get my snow tires on so I put her in a cat carrier with food and water and when I got back I took this video.

Any help or ideas? I have inspected her legs and wings and she seems very healthy, although she did have her beak open this morning when I carried her to the feed room and put her away into the cat carrier. So sad. She is holding her tail open (like a turkey) and her head down low to the ground. Cannot balance. When you hold her, you can't feel anything is wrong. She feels strong.

It could be Mareks if treatment otherwise fails. Check her pupils, are they overly dilated? That could be a sign of neurological disease or lesions in the brain. Hopefully the treatment that has been previously posted works for you.

 

[kfelton0002]

So sorry Kayla!!

Thank you! I have my remaining best grow outs in a different coop and they are old enough to roost so I pray they stay safe. All I need is a few good birds to breed forward for next year. It has been hell this year..

 

[Punkybrewster]

Im very sorry for those who have lost birds. Its awful.

I just reenforced all my pens and runs with hardware cloth because i had a sinking feeling and know something will get in with just the chickenwire. It was time. Chicken wire was just to get the pens up and running.

We have only been here at this place for 10 months. Predators should be moving in soon for mine. Ive noticed over the years that i have more attacks in the fall than any other season.