International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[Punkybrewster]

Oh I know.
But I do value your opinion.

We have gathered some knowledge of what we are looking for in our marans to breed forward and strive toward SOP.

I am not totally confident in my selections but with everyones help and studying on this thread, it is easier.

Wayyyy back in this thread, we were instructed to observe from head to toe, top line to bottom line.

Thats what I try to do. My pictures should be from all angles and their not. My fault but the best I can get at this time.

I would love to get some great pics and do a critique ("describe" as chooksman would say).

You know,
head shape, comb, shoulders, back, tail, etc.

It would benefit this thread to go over these again. Its been a few years.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

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If it wasn't a windy day they would probably pose better. Some of this year's pullets, daddy Jean, a few cockerels and one yearling hen.

Do you have any egg photos? Beautiful birds

 

[MorningGlory16]

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If it wasn't a windy day they would probably pose better. Some of this year's pullets, daddy Jean, a few cockerels and one yearling hen.

I have a rooster and hen that look similar to yours- did you call them black silver marans? I thought they were called birchen marans, but I'm still learning. Is there a difference or are they the same thing? I bought hatching eggs back in March and luckily ended up with 1 cockerel and 4 pullets. 2 of the girls are splash, 1 is blue and 1 is black (birchen?) This is Charlie and his ladies.

 

[Bantambird]

I have a rooster and hen that look similar to yours- did you call them black silver marans? I thought they were called birchen marans, but I'm still learning. Is there a difference or are they the same thing? I bought hatching eggs back in March and luckily ended up with 1 cockerel and 4 pullets. 2 of the girls are splash, 1 is blue and 1 is black (birchen?) This is Charlie and his ladies.

There is contention on the color names for birchen/black silver. In the show world, Birchen is already a color in several breeds, and the description includes silver lacing on the upper third to half of the breast extending from the silver hackles. This is not what was being bred at the time by us that were putting forward the silver version of the black copper, but birchen was really the only descriptor that was close to what we had. The APA asked for a new descriptor, since this silver and black coloring was just like black copper , only with the red gene replaced with the white one. That is when the term "black silver" was brought into use. There are those who are moving forward with birchen as well, trying to include lacing on the breast to follow the color descriptor for birchen. Birchen color is primarily in OE and Modern games. Since my birds do not possess lacing, they would qualify as black silver. for the sake of simplicity, though, we can assume that for most people black silver and birchen in marans are mostly the same color.

hope that was not to long? LOL

 

[MorningGlory16]

There is contention on the color names for birchen/black silver. In the show world, Birchen is already a color in several breeds, and the description includes silver lacing on the upper third to half of the breast extending from the silver hackles. This is not what was being bred at the time by us that were putting forward the silver version of the black copper, but birchen was really the only descriptor that was close to what we had. The APA asked for a new descriptor, since this silver and black coloring was just like black copper , only with the red gene replaced with the white one. That is when the term "black silver" was brought into use. There are those who are moving forward with birchen as well, trying to include lacing on the breast to follow the color descriptor for birchen. Birchen color is primarily in OE and Modern games. Since my birds do not possess lacing, they would qualify as black silver. for the sake of simplicity, though, we can assume that for most people black silver and birchen in marans are mostly the same color.

hope that was not to long? LOL

Okay, that sort of makes sense! Their colors have always puzzled me!

 

[chickengr]

This is another from the 3 roosters. As you can see, he has those 2 long white feathers in his tail. He is big with nice color though.

He will be the one I cull I think.


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it seems his tail is high.

 

[chickengr]

This is the last of the 3.
He is a giant. He is also mean as a hornet. Could be because he is in the bachelor pen with no access to the hens?

He has some white on him but I hesitate to cull because he has great coloring to compliment my darker hens.

And that tail shape is what I need in my line.

Also check out the leg coloring. They are pink with just a touch of grey.


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better side view of him, please.

 

[Punkybrewster]

it seems his tail is high.

Its those 2 long white feathers that make his tail look high. I just want to pluck them out!

He seems to have a nice long back when viewed from the side. I will try to get pictures today.

 

[Punkybrewster]

better side view of him, please.

I will try today.

 

[Punkybrewster]

Heres a question.

Those 2 white tail feathers that stick up so high.

Do you think they will molt out and grow back smaller like the rest of his tail or will they grow out the same way they are now.

Would it be a good idea to wait and see instead of cull?