International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[BlueTheBrahma]

yellow legs can be a bummer to breed out. I was a long time working it out, but I am pretty sure I got it licked now. Between side sprigs and yellow legs, I know that before I had mine, there were events... I do know that the scuttlebut on side sprigs in older American lines of Marans is that in the 80s or 90s, when these birds first got here, there were some inbreeding issues and there were no other populations to breed with. Backed against a wall, one of the breeders resorted to including a Pendescenda in the group in an attempt to preserve the egg color and provide some much needed fresh genetic material. This is where the side sprigs that occasionally crop up come from. For the most part, I have diligently selected against this when I see it crop up. I am not sure where the occasional yellow legs come from, but every once in a great while, I spot a yellow legged bird.

I wonder if welsummer may have been used in a similar way to pandescendas. This would introduce the gene. Or maybe the occasional RIR x Marans or BPR x Marans gets confused and bred into pure birds.

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

Some of the last photos I took of the pair. My F0 Black Coppers. Now I am left with Chanel (F0 Blue Copper, unrelated) and Napoleon, her F3 line bred grandson. Plus all the chicks.

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

@wrathsfarm I’m liking 09/Joannie’s comb. The smallest of the five’s combs. Behind her is Mole, who we know is a pullet as she’s single barred, much bigger comb than Joan, even though it’s still nice and small.

Chanel watching her babies to make sure their foster momma is doing a good job. I was given an old rabbit cage so moved the Marans chicks into the Marans pen. I’m hoping when they’re big enough they’ll be used to each other to avoid conflict.

 

[wrathsfarm]

View attachment 4122244View attachment 4122246@wrathsfarm I’m liking 09/Joannie’s comb. The smallest of the five’s combs. Behind her is Mole, who we know is a pullet as she’s single barred, much bigger comb than Joan, even though it’s still nice and small.View attachment 4122245Chanel watching her babies to make sure their foster momma is doing a good job. I was given an old rabbit cage so moved the Marans chicks into the Marans pen. I’m hoping when they’re big enough they’ll be used to each other to avoid conflict.

Super cute pics, I'm truly honored you named her Joannie, my friend.

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

I’ve got some very unfortunate news my friends.
The environmental agency came round the allotments today and spoke to the man we all rent them through (I’ll pretend he’s called Garry for his privacy), who was not eager to cooperate with them as he has been on these allotments without issue since the 70s/80s. But they had had complaints about the noise created by everyone’s cockbirds.
Garry later got a call with a notice that all cocks and cockerels must be removed from the allotments within a fortnight or a DEFRA will be sent out to cull them.

So all the boys, Blue (Brahma), Freddy (Barry’s nephew), Slash (Polish), Napoleon (Blue Copper Marans), Flash (Olive Egger), Ezekiel & Woody the silkies and the welsummers are all being rehomed tomorrow, going to the same home Loki was given to. I’m still working out what hens to send to best preserve the lines but keep up our egg numbers for selling for eating. But it’s going to greatly damage the money we would have gotten this year from selling hatching eggs.

But what’s worse, the landlords happened to send a letter for the rent bill, with it a complain from the council about the keeping of Poultry so close to houses. The landlords permitted all chickens back when Garry started many years ago, but have been pressured to change policy, even though they are private allotments not ran by the council.

So a phone call tomorrow will decide whether even the hens can stay. There are hundreds of chickens between us all and they’ll all have to go if we cannot get permission for at least the hens.

What annoys me most is that all the houses were built after the allotments, so it’s not really our fault the new builds were crammed in all available space without warning the buyers about chickens, which had been there for decades.

If they are not rehomed the government is willing to pay (with public money) to send a team to cull all the chickens. I guess that’s why they’ve just raised road tax by 300%.

I do appreciate the complains made as we all know how noisy Roos can be, but I just feel better communication between all parties could have reached a less devastating agreement.

So all breeding projects are suspended for likely a couple of years, until I hopefully can afford my own land. I’ll still be on the treads, and I’ll let you know the fate of the girls soon.

Thanks for reading my little rant.

 

[wrathsfarm]

I’ve got some very unfortunate news my friends.
The environmental agency came round the allotments today and spoke to the man we all rent them through (I’ll pretend he’s called Garry for his privacy), who was not eager to cooperate with them as he has been on these allotments without issue since the 70s/80s. But they had had complaints about the noise created by everyone’s cockbirds.
Garry later got a call with a notice that all cocks and cockerels must be removed from the allotments within a fortnight or a DEFRA will be sent out to cull them.

So all the boys, Blue (Brahma), Freddy (Barry’s nephew), Slash (Polish), Napoleon (Blue Copper Marans), Flash (Olive Egger), Ezekiel & Woody the silkies and the welsummers are all being rehomed tomorrow, going to the same home Loki was given to. I’m still working out what hens to send to best preserve the lines but keep up our egg numbers for selling for eating. But it’s going to greatly damage the money we would have gotten this year from selling hatching eggs.

But what’s worse, the landlords happened to send a letter for the rent bill, with it a complain from the council about the keeping of Poultry so close to houses. The landlords permitted all chickens back when Garry started many years ago, but have been pressured to change policy, even though they are private allotments not ran by the council.

So a phone call tomorrow will decide whether even the hens can stay. There are hundreds of chickens between us all and they’ll all have to go if we cannot get permission for at least the hens.

What annoys me most is that all the houses were built after the allotments, so it’s not really our fault the new builds were crammed in all available space without warning the buyers about chickens, which had been there for decades.

If they are not rehomed the government is willing to pay (with public money) to send a team to cull all the chickens. I guess that’s why they’ve just raised road tax by 300%.

I do appreciate the complains made as we all know how noisy Roos can be, but I just feel better communication between all parties could have reached a less devastating agreement.

So all breeding projects are suspended for likely a couple of years, until I hopefully can afford my own land. I’ll still be on the treads, and I’ll let you know the fate of the girls soon.

Thanks for reading my little rant.

Wow, that devasting news. Hopefully you can still keep your girls.

Is there such a thing there as a 'Grandfather Clause' someone can pursue ? So sorry this is happening.

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

Wow, that devasting news. Hopefully you can still keep your girls.

Is there such a thing there as a 'Grandfather Clause' someone can pursue ? So sorry this is happening.

We’ll find out more tomorrow, but I seriously doubt it. It’s not a great time to be a small business or a farmer in the UK, so the joke’s on me I guess.
Sorry to be a bit political.

 

[chickengr]

I’ve got some very unfortunate news my friends.
The environmental agency came round the allotments today and spoke to the man we all rent them through (I’ll pretend he’s called Garry for his privacy), who was not eager to cooperate with them as he has been on these allotments without issue since the 70s/80s. But they had had complaints about the noise created by everyone’s cockbirds.
Garry later got a call with a notice that all cocks and cockerels must be removed from the allotments within a fortnight or a DEFRA will be sent out to cull them.

So all the boys, Blue (Brahma), Freddy (Barry’s nephew), Slash (Polish), Napoleon (Blue Copper Marans), Flash (Olive Egger), Ezekiel & Woody the silkies and the welsummers are all being rehomed tomorrow, going to the same home Loki was given to. I’m still working out what hens to send to best preserve the lines but keep up our egg numbers for selling for eating. But it’s going to greatly damage the money we would have gotten this year from selling hatching eggs.

But what’s worse, the landlords happened to send a letter for the rent bill, with it a complain from the council about the keeping of Poultry so close to houses. The landlords permitted all chickens back when Garry started many years ago, but have been pressured to change policy, even though they are private allotments not ran by the council.

So a phone call tomorrow will decide whether even the hens can stay. There are hundreds of chickens between us all and they’ll all have to go if we cannot get permission for at least the hens.

What annoys me most is that all the houses were built after the allotments, so it’s not really our fault the new builds were crammed in all available space without warning the buyers about chickens, which had been there for decades.

If they are not rehomed the government is willing to pay (with public money) to send a team to cull all the chickens. I guess that’s why they’ve just raised road tax by 300%.

I do appreciate the complains made as we all know how noisy Roos can be, but I just feel better communication between all parties could have reached a less devastating agreement.

So all breeding projects are suspended for likely a couple of years, until I hopefully can afford my own land. I’ll still be on the treads, and I’ll let you know the fate of the girls soon.

Thanks for reading my little rant.

not only sorry but I am mad! I hope all of those "blue blood" neighbors will starve soon. there is a shortage of eggs and they forbid keeping hens. they don't deserve to live.

btw, I don't understand why they cannot stand noise roos make while they don't have any problem with dog's barking and maximum volume music.

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

not only sorry but I am mad! I hope all of those "blue blood" neighbors will starve soon. there is a shortage of eggs and they forbid keeping hens. they don't deserve to live.

btw, I don't understand why they cannot stand noise roos make while they don't have any problem with dog's barking and maximum volume music.

Thank you for your message.
I am mad too, I thought it was ironic that the same people will be complaining about egg and meat prices, while ensuring that no one can take this into their own hands by being self-sufficient.

I’m more mad at the council than the people, I guess having (I think it’s 16) roosters next door isn’t for everyone and I get that, but they could have just asked and we could have tried collars or reducing numbers before the total escalation.

Still waiting on new about the girls.

 

[NanaK]

@BlueTheBrahma

I'm so sorry! I hope this can be resolved.
The alotment needs a sign much like this.