International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[MayBerg]

That's a male... Coloring on back, big comb and pointed hackles.

Thank you. I don't know why he doesn't have more color on his back like the cockerels in this thread.

 

[chickengr]

Thank you. I don't know any he doesn't have more color on his back like the cockerels in this thread.

he is young. they get colour later. some stay dark if crossed black/black copper.

 

[Helloyou89]

Keep posting pics of him. We would love to watch him grow along with ya !!

So I thought I’d update everyone… Betty absolutely is a boy. At about 9 weeks, I noticed he had some red pin feather starting to peek through on his shoulders. I wanted to rename him but hubby wants to keep the name he was given at a week old….so…we’ve been calling him Bet. This morning, I heard the weirdest sound… kind of like a rubber squeaky toy. It was Bet trying to crow for the first time. He’s now almost 11 weeks old. He’s still very sweet and likes to lay in my lap. (Fingers crossed that won’t change in a few months). Thought I’d share video of his first crowing attempt here.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/501588477269262170/

I think the girls are annoyed with him Matilda (15wk black jersey giant pullet) you can see her post up with him. She’s the bossiest of the young birds. It’s kind of weird…all the young pullets (except the white silkie who is the lowest on the pecking order) will chest bump and fluff up like that with him. Is that normal at this age? Bet still runs away from the 3 older hens (they are still the boss, and push him and the young girls around ESPECIALLY when it’s treat time).

P.S. my neighbor has been opening up to the idea of a rooster, but Bet has been peeping like a chick up until this morning. Hoping the gift of fresh eggs will be enough to overcome future louder early morning crows. Should I bring my Bet into the garage to sleep at night and let him out a little later in the morning to give my neighbors a few more hours of shut eye? Will Bet get lonely sleeping away from the other girls or is it best to try to ‘train’ him to be on a schedule early on?

I’m building a shed style coop with attached run for the chickies. They are temporarily being housed in my fully enclosed 40x20ft catio with a playhouse for a coop. (The older hens sleep there, the young ones like to huddle/sleep together in what looks like a little covered dugout. There’s another small coop from wayfair in there for them, but they don’t use it ).

 

[MayBerg]

Can someone please remind me at what page Mr Chooksman started showing his birds?

 

[wrathsfarm]

Can someone please remind me at what page Mr Chooksman started showing his birds?

@Chooks man has been here since page 1 but didn't post any of HIS birds until page 8.

 

[wrathsfarm]

So I thought I’d update everyone… Betty absolutely is a boy. At about 9 weeks, I noticed he had some red pin feather starting to peek through on his shoulders. I wanted to rename him but hubby wants to keep the name he was given at a week old….so…we’ve been calling him Bet. This morning, I heard the weirdest sound… kind of like a rubber squeaky toy. It was Bet trying to crow for the first time. He’s now almost 11 weeks old. He’s still very sweet and likes to lay in my lap. (Fingers crossed that won’t change in a few months). Thought I’d share video of his first crowing attempt here.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/501588477269262170/

That's a good name and loved the video. First crows are awesome. I have 2 that have been crowing for a few weeks now, 1 started a couple weeks before the other. Now 7+ more boys to go...

I think the girls are annoyed with him Matilda (15wk black jersey giant pullet) you can see her post up with him. She’s the bossiest of the young birds. It’s kind of weird…all the young pullets (except the white silkie who is the lowest on the pecking order) will chest bump and fluff up like that with him. Is that normal at this age?

Yes, pretty normal. Mine are 14 weeks today and last week it started changing to the dominant cockerels of the two is starting to harass/wanting to dominate the pullets. If it gets too much you should think about separating him completely or jail him when he's acting up. I've done both ways only allowing them to free range during non peak mate times.
Mine have the older Kong to reprimand them now when they get too feisty, and to the point now the pullets will run to Kong.

Bet still runs away from the 3 older hens (they are still the boss, and push him and the young girls around ESPECIALLY when it’s treat time).

P.S. my neighbor has been opening up to the idea of a rooster, but Bet has been peeping like a chick up until this morning. Hoping the gift of fresh eggs will be enough to overcome future louder early morning crows. Should I bring my Bet into the garage to sleep at night and let him out a little later in the morning to give my neighbors a few more hours of shut eye? Will Bet get lonely sleeping away from the other girls or is it best to try to ‘train’ him to be on a schedule early on?

You won't stop his schedule, only by keeping it dark or soundproof. Like I said above this would be a good separation from harassing the pullets, by only allowing him to free range during his non peak mate times when he's not so hormonal. (Early am and later pm times)

Another option if you have it is to keep him in with the older hens to school him. Some hens won't tolerate a young cockerels crows and actually chase them when they try. You'd have to try each way to see what works best.

I’m building a shed style coop with attached run for the chickies. They are temporarily being housed in my fully enclosed 40x20ft catio with a playhouse for a coop. (The older hens sleep there, the young ones like to huddle/sleep together in what looks like a little covered dugout. There’s another small coop from wayfair in there for them, but they don’t use it ).

Or use one of these for isolation/separation for the boys.

 

[wrathsfarm]

I'm going to try and get some pics to post of the 14 week olds for everyone's insight starting today.
It's been crazy busy expanding the coop and dealing with now 4 broodys.

3 days ago I lost one of Joannie's daughters to the corn that's over 5' tall, and then the next day had another commotion, where I thought I lost one of Betty's daughters. But she came back about a 1/2 hour later with a bloody foot, so now I'm in a tailspin to get a fence up to keep them out of the corn and all birds on lockdown. Not sure what snatched her. Coon, Fox or Coyote would be my 3 main guesses both times around 5-6 pm daylight. I've got my traps set but nothing so far which makes me think no coon in the area, I always catch them....
Sorry this is long-winded been a minute since I've been able to sit down and give an update.

I gotta get pics of the 4 boys from Betty also that Momma is raising. One is coloring up way faster than the others and 1 is a total monstrosity. This boy is a tank. And then of course brown head spot is in there., also. I like these guys...

 

[Helloyou89]

That's a good name and loved the video. First crows are awesome. I have 2 that have been crowing for a few weeks now, 1 started a couple weeks before the other. Now 7+ more boys to go...

@wrathsfarm
Thanks for all these incredible suggestions! Super helpful

Wow! I can only imagine the chorus in the morning! that’s amazing that you are able to keep so many roosters. I love Bet, so far he’s been just the sweetest and I’m so attached to him. I really hope he doesn’t become a mean boy.

Yes, pretty normal. Mine are 14 weeks today and last week it started changing to the dominant cockerels of the two is starting to harass/wanting to dominate the pullets. If it gets too much you should think about separating him completely or jail him when he's acting up. I've done both ways only allowing them to free range during non peak mate times.
Mine have the older Kong to reprimand them now when they get too feisty, and to the point now the pullets will run to Kong.


You won't stop his schedule, only by keeping it dark or soundproof. Like I said above this would be a good separation from harassing the pullets, by only allowing him to free range during his non peak mate times when he's not so hormonal. (Early am and later pm times)

Another option if you have it is to keep him in with the older hens to school him. Some hens won't tolerate a young cockerels crows and actually chase them when they try. You'd have to try each way to see what works best.

Or use one of these for isolation/separation for the boys.

Right now, he’s the one sort of getting bullied a bit by the older hens and older pullet. But I think he is trying to show he wants to be more dominant but the girls just aren’t having it. it is though…happening more frequently, so if it gets out of hand I will separate him. I wanted to allow him to be the free ranging separate from the girls, but I’m a bit worried about my dogs. The garage might be a temporary option for him, it’s dark (one small window) got tons of room in there for him. I might build him a little house in there or possible another small setup for him closer to the girls.

One of my dogs in particular has shown a lot of interest in the chickens and look at them like they are a new toy. I think overtime, desensitization will go a long way for them to get along. He’s a goofball that just doesn’t know his size (aka bull in a china shop) so I need to teach him to be gentle around them. He is the same way with some of my cats (chases the ones that refuse to hang out with him) and cuddles with the others that do. It’s like he’s trying to force them all to love him

Again, I REALLY appreciate all your help. This is my first time having more than just one pet chicken.

 

[BrahmasMama02]

Went away on vacation and came home to see that my 23/ almost 24 wk old BCM rooster DROGON has blossomed! I’ve posted him before; @wrathsfarm you might recognize him!

Let me know what y’all think!

Cheers

 

[wrathsfarm]

@wrathsfarm
Thanks for all these incredible suggestions! Super helpful

Wow! I can only imagine the chorus in the morning! that’s amazing that you are able to keep so many roosters. I love Bet, so far he’s been just the sweetest and I’m so attached to him. I really hope he doesn’t become a mean boy.

Right now, he’s the one sort of getting bullied a bit by the older hens and older pullet. But I think he is trying to show he wants to be more dominant but the girls just aren’t having it. it is though…happening more frequently, so if it gets out of hand I will separate him. I wanted to allow him to be the free ranging separate from the girls, but I’m a bit worried about my dogs. The garage might be a temporary option for him, it’s dark (one small window) got tons of room in there for him. I might build him a little house in there or possible another small setup for him closer to the girls.

One of my dogs in particular has shown a lot of interest in the chickens and look at them like they are a new toy. I think overtime, desensitization will go a long way for them to get along. He’s a goofball that just doesn’t know his size (aka bull in a china shop) so I need to teach him to be gentle around them. He is the same way with some of my cats (chases the ones that refuse to hang out with him) and cuddles with the others that do. It’s like he’s trying to force them all to love him

Again, I REALLY appreciate all your help. This is my first time having more than just one pet chicken.

I would only separate him if he's getting too aggressive. (Grabbing hold and won't let go, relentless chasing, blood drawn etc)
Are they all cooped together?
Let them older girls school him as much as possible. They're going to teach him how to treat a lady. When they are ready to let him take over the flock, they will all submit to his advances.