International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[BlueTheBrahma]

Thank you for your reply. Stress levels were getting high in my flock. I had 3 cockerels with raging hormones and only 15 girls to to share the attention. I took care of that and I’m down to just one cockerel now. The flock seems a whole lot more relaxed now.

You might find the bloom decreases then, no guarantees though, as stress isn’t the only cause. How long has the hen been laying for?

 

[Tstraub]

You might find the bloom decreases then, no guarantees though, as stress isn’t the only cause. How long has the hen been laying for?

She is a new layer 7 months old started laying around 4 weeks ago. Only laying about 2 small eggs a week. Maybe she just needs more time to get everything sorted out in her reproductive system

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

She is a new layer 7 months old started laying around 4 weeks ago. Only laying about 2 small eggs a week. Maybe she just needs more time to get everything sorted out in her reproductive system

Yes, mine laid a few like this when they were young, here's a photo. This is from Chanel, who lays exceptionally dark eggs so that shows how much bloom there is

 

[wrathsfarm]

View attachment 3757825Second egg, much more even and the same dark red colour as Chanel’s usually are. Both mother and daughter’s eggs are very matt, rather than shiny like a Marans should be. Natasha’s are shiny so hopefully as the two bloodlines mix I can keep them dark and make them consistently shiny.

I have 2 girls that lay a matte egg. With 9 girls laying, I like the variation in sheen just from my own perspective.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Raven laid one with a heavy bloom the other day. I'll get a pic tomorrow. Her eggs have been getting darker. So happy to have her back in the crew.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Raven laid one with a heavy bloom the other day. I'll get a pic tomorrow. Her eggs have been getting darker. So happy to have her back in the crew.

 

[Bantambird]

Here's what my big brooder made out of a big 4'x8' cabinet looks like. It was for starting garden plants in before. They do pretty well until it gets to about 0 degrees F, then I have to help them out. I use the old bricks to block drafts under the infrared panel, and the bricks also stabilize the panel on the corners.

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

I’ve attached some more of Esme’s eggs from this week, already quite big and still very dark and matte.

Selling yellow legs tomorrow, hopefully can sell 012 soon, but his pale and ugly face keeps putting people off him!

 

[wrathsfarm]

View attachment 3760904View attachment 3760906
Here's what my big brooder made out of a big 4'x8' cabinet looks like. It was for starting garden plants in before. They do pretty well until it gets to about 0 degrees F, then I have to help them out. I use the old bricks to block drafts under the infrared panel, and the bricks also stabilize the panel on the corners.

That's about the size of mine I built. Mine measures out roughly 4' x 9' but the one end is angled to allow for a separation door to swing. I renovated it recently to raise the ceiling height to walk in. I need to sub floor it yet to keep babies off the concrete, a little warmer than just extra bedding alone. (Pics show it set up for isolating King)

I sub floored the ducks coop (seen thru pass thru which was original brooder coop) and they seemed to really like it better.

 

[wrathsfarm]

I’ve attached some more of Esme’s eggs from this week, already quite big and still very dark and matte.

Selling yellow legs tomorrow, hopefully can sell 012 soon, but his pale and ugly face keeps putting people off him!

Those are a lovely color.