International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[kcrandall]

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful comments!!! I put the roos in the order I thought best and so it's nice you all agree! 1-2-3!   Roo 3 is a jerk anyways and he was scapegoated pretty much right away by the rest of the flock. These dynamics fascinate me at times. I will for sure let #1 grow out and post pics as he develops for the sake of documentation or whatever. I did not know the HEN DETERMINES COMB presentation. I will have to look at all my ladies and see how that goes. I'm not sure if I will keep #2 yet. Its nice to know I can come here for help 

@baunlee,

The following are certain traits inherited from the Cock/Cockerel and Hen/Pullet.

Inheritance from the Hen =
Body Type
Comb Type
Egg Size, Shape & Color (both sexes carry all the egg color gene)
Body Mass / Size (Large Hen = Large Pullets and Average Hens = Average Pullets regardless of Roosters size)
 
Inheritance from the Rooster =
Body color (best trait of the Cockerel)
Eye Color (we want the orange-red eye in adults, young chicks eyes should be blue / green; black or brown eyes are unwanted in adults or juveniles)
Egg Color (both sexes carry all the egg color genes)
Body Mass / Size

Buried within this thread is a ton of advice from Chooks Man on selection of breeder birds, inheritance traits and other fun stuff. I've been keeping notes since this thread was started by RedBanks. We are here to help and share our experiences. Also lots of good Marans info on the Marans of America Club website.

Keith

 

[Chooks man]

Quote:
thank you . make sure you send a nice photos of your pullets and cockerels. highlight they quality and weaknesses .so we can pair them properly looking forward to see them . chooks man

 

[Braxton Brigade]

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful comments!!! I put the roos in the order I thought best and so it's nice you all agree! 1-2-3! Roo 3 is a jerk anyways and he was scapegoated pretty much right away by the rest of the flock. These dynamics fascinate me at times. I will for sure let #1 grow out and post pics as he develops for the sake of documentation or whatever. I did not know the HEN DETERMINES COMB presentation. I will have to look at all my ladies and see how that goes. I'm not sure if I will keep #2 yet. Its nice to know I can come here for help

Keep 1 and 2. Keep 2 in a safe place and he can be your backup.

The nature of raising animals is that can't tell you if they are sick and sometimes they never show symptoms until they are on their death bed.
It's a shame but it is the reality.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

Keep 1 and 2. Keep 2 in a safe place and he can be your backup.

The nature of raising animals is that can't tell you if they are sick and sometimes they never show symptoms until they are on their death bed.
It's a shame but it is the reality.

x2! I made that mistake with my CCL roos. I had the most stunning CCL boy and none of the others compared to him. Once we butchered all the extra boys and before the girls had started laying, i lost my big handsome boy. I had to scramble after that to even find a CCL roo at all! The one i found can't compare but I've already bred him to my girls and have 4 cockerels growing out. Hopefully they will be better looking than their daddy. Good luck!

CCL boy that i lost

New replacement boy

 

[Braxton Brigade]

x2! I made that mistake with my CCL roos. I had the most stunning CCL boy and none of the others compared to him. Once we butchered all the extra boys and before the girls had started laying, i lost my big handsome boy. I had to scramble after that to even find a CCL roo at all! The one i found can't compare but I've already bred him to my girls and have 4 cockerels growing out. Hopefully they will be better looking than their daddy. Good luck!

CCL boy that i lost



New replacement boy

I too made the mistake before learning the value of an extra rooster.

Had 3 BCM cockerels, chose the best looking and sold off my extras thinking they were just a pain to keep around.
Not too long ago I lost my remaining guy, I luckily hatched a batch of chicks before his passing but I am still going to miss this breeding season for my mistake.

Since learning this lesson I have decided to never keep less than 3 roosters when I am working with a strain


I have a pen of Ameruacanas and am going to keep all 5 boys (I intend on keeping 4 of the 5) until I really know where I am heading with them.

 

[Lincityfarmette]

Take it easy Chooks Man..,not just some Chooks in some backyard?!! That sounds a bit harsher than you! My backyard Chooks have as much space asI can give them. They get fresh grass from my neighbor (I sometimes have to scissor cut it to make it closer to the "bites" they would take if Chooks grazing in a field). I beg leaves from other people's yards even raking their yards for them. They act like children with a bursting piñata when I dump those leaves into their play yard! I give them garlic, apple cider vinegar, and other natural adds to keep them healthy. Resort to antibiotics rather than lose them. Pull yucky, squirmy black soldier fly beetles from my earthworm bin to treat them. Throw out a small bit of food grade DE covered across their yard to watch them chase it down and hold back parasite overload. I dig deeper into their play place, turn it over to keep it healthy. Hang fruits and veggies for them to jump and chase. Bring in branches and create new activity areas for them regularly. I drink my coffee with them nearly every morning. Read up on this and other sites to help them when ill. I pet them, talk with them, and brag about them. These are not just some backyard Chooks though they live on the Big City. These are My Chooks! Still love you Chooks Man. You just got my dander up a bit !

 

[Lincityfarmette]

Chooks Man glad your roo is getting better. Sorry about hatching losses. Excited to see your new bator equipment. Blessings on you and all those precious Chooks!

 

[KF0002]

Take it easy Chooks Man..,not just some Chooks in some backyard?!! That sounds a bit harsher than you! My backyard Chooks have as much space asI can give them. They get fresh grass from my neighbor (I sometimes have to scissor cut it to make it closer to the "bites" they would take if Chooks grazing in a field). I beg leaves from other people's yards even raking their yards for them. They act like children with a bursting piñata when I dump those leaves into their play yard! I give them garlic, apple cider vinegar, and other natural adds to keep them healthy. Resort to antibiotics rather than lose them. Pull yucky, squirmy black soldier fly beetles from my earthworm bin to treat them. Throw out a small bit of food grade DE covered across their yard to watch them chase it down and hold back parasite overload. I dig deeper into their play place, turn it over to keep it healthy. Hang fruits and veggies for them to jump and chase. Bring in branches and create new activity areas for them regularly. I drink my coffee with them nearly every morning. Read up on this and other sites to help them when ill. I pet them, talk with them, and brag about them. These are not just some backyard Chooks though they live on the Big City. These are My Chooks! Still love you Chooks Man. You just got my dander up a bit !

Did I miss something? lol

I'm sure Chooks Man didn't mean to ruffle your feathers.

Sounds like your chickens are very well taken care of.

 

[KF0002]

x2! I made that mistake with my CCL roos. I had the most stunning CCL boy and none of the others compared to him. Once we butchered all the extra boys and before the girls had started laying, i lost my big handsome boy. I had to scramble after that to even find a CCL roo at all! The one i found can't compare but I've already bred him to my girls and have 4 cockerels growing out. Hopefully they will be better looking than their daddy. Good luck!

CCL boy that i lost



New replacement boy

Oh Cream Legbars!

I have wanted some CLs for forever. *swoon*

 

[Lincityfarmette]

Yes, Chooks Man is always informative, gentle, respectful. I honor him greatly. Hear him folks! He is wise with a heart! Just got my hackles up a tiny bit. Friends can be straightforward, right? I tried to quote his original post but was unsuccessful. It was a couple weeks old I think. Truly my husband and I love Chooks Man!!!! By the way, any more sounds from the incubator? By this time you probably have your hands full of little fluffies. Best of blessings on this new bunch and you.