International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[ChloeSilkie08]

Hi there. Mine were born May 1 and started laying late September, but I think that was pretty early for marans. I think 6-7 months is normal? Maybe someone else can chime in. She likely won't lay now til spring, if she hasn't already started.... and to answer your next question- I would say it would depend where you are- here, in Ontario- they go for $14 unsexed day old, less from a hatchery (about $10-11) but then there is a 6 chick minimum.... and they sell out fast.

Thanks so much! Yeah, ice is already in their waterers where I am so I'm afraid it will be spring.
My problem is that around here most people just want laying hens. They don't want specialty or "fancy" breeds.

 

[aliciaplus3]

Thanks so much! Yeah, ice is already in their waterers where I am so I'm afraid it will be spring.
My problem is that around here most people just want laying hens. They don't want specialty or "fancy" breeds.

then you will only get what they are willing to pay unless you grow them out longer and can guarantee females.... then around here they do not want to pay what it cost to grow them....

 

[ChloeSilkie08]

then you will only get what they are willing to pay unless you grow them out longer and can guarantee females.... then around here they do not want to pay what it cost to grow them....

Seems like you have the same problem I do. Most people also just want laying hens, not chick.

 

[ChloeSilkie08]

 

[kcrandall]

I'm sure this has been asked a million times, but when will my hen start to lay? She was born at the end of June.

Marans Pullets can reach point of lay (POL) anywhere from 5 to 9 months depending on the time of year hatched and the Breeders Line they came from. Personally, I prefer a pullet to reach POL at 8 months. An 8 month old pullet is more mature and larger so she is more likely to lay larger eggs (70+ grams) which translates into a better hatch rate and chick vigor/vitality. We want our future breeders to be larger. Breeding from a small pullet will set your breeding program back several generations. I know we all get anxious to see if our girls will lay that elusive super dark egg but if we want a better Marans we need to have more patience to select for the larger late maturing pullet.

 

[Chooks man]

View attachment 2434583View attachment 2434585

your BCM pullet and cockerel are stunning great body type .love the rich copper on the cockerel . what happen to his comb .
need better photos of them please .
I like them a lot .
chooks man

 

[Chooks man]

I also forgot to ask but what do you (or what would you) charge for Black Copper Maran chicks unsexed?

here in Australia we charge $20 unsexed day old chick ,$40 female BCM chick. very rare to find a good strain .
chooks man

 

[Chooks man]

unless they were selectively bred for going broody

I don t think any body select for broodiness . very old method . I will say luck of selection and overly unbred . problem is peoples bay a DZ or 2 ,hatch them ,them keep breeding from them ,very very wrong practice .

chooks man

 

[Chooks man]

my golden boy rooster is doing very good ,very proud of him self . he start showing some white on his earlobe .
he did sire some stunning pullets .big solid and great layer of large eggs . I did not breed him to any marans yet .
I ll be breeding him to his F1 daughters and some of Day Walker s daughters too .

chooks man

 

[Chooks man]

my roosters are looking great .stunning shape and health .
looking forward to start working with them .

chooks man