International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[Chooks man]

My pullets are laying now. I am now sure that it takes 9 months from the time I hatch a chic until that chic lays it's first egg. Marans take a long time. Not complaining, just saying. View attachment 2494600 View attachment 2494601

bravo my friend .gorgeous looking eggs . you have done great .
chooks man

 

[Punkybrewster]

Line #2 pullets are begining to lay. Their color is better than line #1.
The last 4 in this pic are line #2.
Im hoping their shape gets more round as they lay more.

I also notice the are redder than line #1.

 

[Tom Bright]

Some nice color from these pullets. Next three months, which hen is laying what egg and how many?

 

[chickengr]

Not sure I agree. I had a Pullet give me about 12 eggs last year and she went broody. Was a great mother also. If nature says it’s ok who am I to say it’s not.
Personally I’m not talking about Pullets that just started laying but a 8-10 month old Pullet I do not see an issue.

I was talking about pullets that just started to lay. if they start laying at 5-6 months I wouldn't mind to hatch their eggs when they are 10+ mo.

but marans usually start laying at 7-8+ mo.

 

[Chooks man]

Some nice color from these pullets. Next three months, which hen is laying what egg and how many? View attachment 2494918

stunning my friend ,you are in the right truck for sure . Bravo .
chooks man

 

[Chooks man]

Line #2 pullets are begining to lay. Their color is better than line #1.
The last 4 in this pic are line #2.
Im hoping their shape gets more round as they lay more.

I also notice the are redder than line #1.

View attachment 2494803

very nice , lovely color especially the 2 first on the right . all the worry and the hard work are paying off now my friend .
do not get tempted to incubate these eggs .be patient and let the pullets become hens before you breed them ,
you want to have great future stock ,so hatch from hens not pullets .

chooks man

 

[Chooks man]

Not sure I agree. I had a Pullet give me about 12 eggs last year and she went broody. Was a great mother also. If nature says it’s ok who am I to say it’s not.
Personally I’m not talking about Pullets that just started laying but a 8-10 month old Pullet I do not see an issue.

in the nature chicks from pullets will be eaten by the foxes .
nature does not do wrong but does not have time to baby sit any body .
chooks man

 

[Punkybrewster]

I remember way back on this thread, it was strongly suggested to only incubate eggs that are 65g or more.

This would produce larger, healthier pullets.
Big egg= big hens.

I am assuming that when the eggs are large enough, they will be close to a year old given that they start laying around 7-8 months old.

In my mind, that means I only have to wait about 3-4 months to hatch properly. It doesnt seem too long of a wait if I think this way.

Problem is, this would mean i wait until May or June.
Here in the south, it gets so humid and hot, i have difficulty keeping the humidity down in the incubator.

But I will wait for them to reach at least 65g.

 

[Chooks man]

I remember way back on this thread, it was strongly suggested to only incubate eggs that are 65g or more.

This would produce larger, healthier pullets.
Big egg= big hens.

I am assuming that when the eggs are large enough, they will be close to a year old given that they start laying around 7-8 months old.

In my mind, that means I only have to wait about 3-4 months to hatch properly. It doesnt seem too long of a wait if I think this way.

Problem is, this would mean i wait until May or June.
Here in the south, it gets so humid and hot, i have difficulty keeping the humidity down in the incubator.

But I will wait for them to reach at least 65g.

yes you are correct . 65g is the minimum .
I know few friends of mine in France they practice one incubation a year ,same months each year end of April . pullets hatched end of April { Spring in France} will be penned to breed from at 10 months old end of February , the eggs will be collected 4 weeks after penning them with a rooster end of March ,that mean the pullets are now 11 months old .the chicks will hatch again end of April .the mothers now are 1 year old .
year in year out ,same method ,great result . one of the best marans lines in Europe . proven formula from serious marans breeders .

chooks man

 

[Punkybrewster]

Some nice color from these pullets. Next three months, which hen is laying what egg and how many? View attachment 2494918

And how will you do this?

I am assuming i cage a couple at a time to identify?