International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[wrathsfarm]

View attachment 4219543LokiView attachment 4219542View attachment 4219541View attachment 4219540NapoleonView attachment 4219539
Napoléon (with the é)

My marans cockerels throughout the years, all at roughly 20 weeks (I realised 20 is closer to my young ones’ age). I think this shows why I’m so please with Napoléon, see how much bigger his body is for the same age. His tail is so far the best too, I’m hoping it stays this way. The comb size is clear improvements from the last, which is lucky given his parents.


Two factors contribute to his better quality. One is his dam, Chanel. Both her cockerel and her daughters cockerel were better than Natasha’s two, simply better type. And good food too. Napoleon (the blue) was rationed from growers too early. Napoléon (the black) has had a great diet since I sorted out ordering feed online. At 20 weeks is already larger than his brother (/nephew due to line breeding) was at 32 weeks.

Can’t wait for him to sire the first of my GCMs. Particularly want to cross him to Mole.

How's Joannie doing? I bet she's as pretty as ever....

 

[wrathsfarm]

Speaking of Joannie RIP...our last sitter is hatching today. 5 so far of Lil Jessie's 6 eggs. These are Joannie's great grandbabies. (F3's)

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

How's Joannie doing? I bet she's as pretty as ever....

Looks very different to her sister or dam, almost look like different lines, but by no means is that an issue. Still a bit smaller, more compact, but neat tail and lovely eye colour now, even though it’s a bit on the brown side. Copper a bit paler but still nice, and the over colouring from her being younger has mostly disappeared. No gold shafts on feather anymore, just a bit of leakage at the top of her breast.

 

[SandyNest]

How does one go about trying to figure an asking price on adult birds? I have typically only sold hatching eggs and chicks. Recently, I have purchased a couple cockerels from another line, and I have another 1 that is growing out well from a rooster that I lost early this spring. That leaves me with 5, very nice roosters and currently 2 breeding pens. A good problem to have, but still....decisions must be made. I'm thinking of selling a pair out of my breeding pen, but cannot seem to find anything to give me a reasonable place to start to find a price. I'd love thoughts on prices OR any suggestions on how/where I could look to find something comparable. I rarely even see nice adult BCMs up for sale. Thanks! Pic of roo (2 years old, missing a couple points on his comb from frostbite, and tail is missing its top feathers right now from molt, but they were just a tad higher than 45 degrees. He's out of Stallings Farm rooster & 7 egg).

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

How does one go about trying to figure an asking price on adult birds? I have typically only sold hatching eggs and chicks. Recently, I have purchased a couple cockerels from another line, and I have another 1 that is growing out well from a rooster that I lost early this spring. That leaves me with 5, very nice roosters and currently 2 breeding pens. A good problem to have, but still....decisions must be made. I'm thinking of selling a pair out of my breeding pen, but cannot seem to find anything to give me a reasonable place to start to find a price. I'd love thoughts on prices OR any suggestions on how/where I could look to find something comparable. I rarely even see nice adult BCMs up for sale. Thanks! Pic of roo (2 years old, missing a couple points on his comb from frostbite, and tail is missing its top feathers right now from molt, but they were just a tad higher than 45 degrees. He's out of Stallings Farm rooster & 7 egg). View attachment 4228314

He’s got an open tail and slightly untidy comb, but looks decent otherwise. 7 is strong. I don’t know prices in the US but here in England I’d try and get £20 for him. The right buyer could pay £30, or aim lower to guarantee interest.

Edit: that’s $27 and $40 USD

 

[realenthusiast]

Thoughts on the type of this Blue Copper cockerel - he's just a little over 5 months old (23 weeks). Also, any thoughts on this really young Black Copper pullet(10 weeks), and this Splash Pullet (23 weeks). Really trying to get a grasp on what type I should be looking for with the breed.

 

[realenthusiast]

Thoughts on the type of this Blue Copper cockerel - he's just a little over 5 months old (23 weeks). Also, any thoughts on this really young Black Copper pullet(10 weeks), and this Splash Pullet (23 weeks). Really trying to get a grasp on what type I should be looking for with the breed.

I won’t be breeding with the cockerel, I know he has big color and comb issues. Just looking for a good example of Marans type in my flock to compare to

 

[chickengr]

I won’t be breeding with the cockerel, I know he has big color and comb issues. Just looking for a good example of Marans type in my flock to compare to

he is a good cockerel and you should breed with him. just find a complementing hen (dark with a good comb). very often 2 perfect birds make not so good offspring and vice versa.

 

[realenthusiast]

he is a good cockerel and you should breed with him. just find a complementing hen (dark with a good comb). very often 2 perfect birds make not so good offspring and vice versa.

I have thought about breeding him back to some nice black copper hens just to see what he’d throw, but I don’t want to get myself in trouble with passing down that comb. I really would like to get my birds in the show halls one day. The comb may be really easy to fix, i’m just not sure on what traits are dealbreakers, and require immediate culling from my breeding flock.

 

[chickengr]

I have thought about breeding him back to some nice black copper hens just to see what he’d throw, but I don’t want to get myself in trouble with passing down that comb. I really would like to get my birds in the show halls one day. The comb may be really easy to fix, i’m just not sure on what traits are dealbreakers, and require immediate culling from my breeding flock.

breeding is a sort of lottery. you need 4-5 years to get good birds. if you want to show your birds read this thread from the beginning. @Chooks man gave precious information.