International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[Chooks man]

It's as Aurora says. He's a bit distractible. He hosted me to fill the roster at the Minnesota state poultry show, to get prequalifier for cream legbars. I brought a few Marans to the show too, because why not? Got to see his birds up close, and his whites are quite nice. He did have an incident a few months back where a thief broke into his show pens and stole 90 of his best birds, so he has been recovering from that slowly with the parent stock he had left.

Terrible .bad news .90 birds in one hit .I feel his pain .

chooks man

 

[Red Banks]

Here is the finished product, all dry after his bath. Pardon the ugly old pet taxi. We use it a lot outside. Gotta love the gentle and calm nature of Marans.

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So cute.... how old is this cockerel?

 

[Red Banks]

Freezing here like most of the country.... we got our first snow since 1989 yesterday. Chicks are taking it all in stride. They are really growing fast. Look like little fat partridges. One cockerel has a complete hackle, they are 6 weeks old. Tony2 is looking good but it is just too cold to be out there snapping photos. I had to work on the well yesterday and my fingers were numb for an hour.

 

[Red Banks]

what number would this be:
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Beautiful!

 

[Red Banks]

Question remains exactly the same. If I hatch a male chic from this #8 or #9 eggs and cross back to the hen that layed this #8 or #9 egg will I have a line of birds that lay #8 and #9 eggs?? TOM

I don't think if it is that easy or we would have no 4,5, 6 and 7 eggs.

 

[Red Banks]

This artic blast or polar vortex, whatever it is being referred to is terrible. It has been in the single digits here, 5 degrees F last night, will be even colder tonight. Lots of chick losses due to losing power in the brooder building. How is everyone else fairing this horrible cold?

I feel like a wimp complaining about temps in the 20's. My fingers are still numb from my trip out to the chicks this morning.

 

[Red Banks]

Some of my hens have started laying again. Amazing.... the shortest coldest days of the year! The eggs are darker than they are in this pic, darkest are near the bottom of the pic. I did take the pic with a flash. Can anyone tell me how to take good egg pics that reflect the right color?

 

[marchick]

Some of my hens have started laying again. Amazing.... the shortest coldest days of the year! The eggs are darker than they are in this pic, darkest are near the bottom of the pic. I did take the pic with a flash. Can anyone tell me how to take good egg pics that reflect the right color?
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Beautiful eggs! My hens have also picked up laying. I am with you on the taking pictures of eggs. The color never comes out right. The eggs always look lighter. I just got a go pro 4k camera for Christmas from my Uncle. I am curious to see how egg pictures turn out with my new camera. I hope people will give us some input on egg picture taking.

 

[Old Man Tom]

I don't think if it is that easy or we would have no 4,5, 6 and 7 eggs.

I was not looking for easy. I have found nothing about MARANS easy. Mostly wanted Chooks man to comment, which he did. Was the exact answer I expected. " You never no what you are gonna get." The chances are better with a #8 than a #4. We all new that. I have never hatched one Marans egg, yet! I have been reading this thread and others for three years! What a wonderful trip. I have had yellow legs, white feathers, very dark eyes and coronation combs! "All from good stock." I now have 7 hens 14 pullets and three cocks. These are just "fair" birds. The plan is to start the incubator in March. I have an incubator from my Uncle George. I have built a brooder, and a separate hatcher out of wine cooler. Right now it is about 7 degrees outside with a high of 15. Its the north wind that get me. I love this thread and love you guys!! TOM

 

[marchick]

I was not looking for easy. I have found nothing about MARANS easy. Mostly wanted Chooks man to comment, which he did. Was the exact answer I expected. " You never no what you are gonna get." The chances are better with a #8 than a #4. We all new that. I have never hatched one Marans egg, yet! I have been reading this thread and others for three years! What a wonderful trip. I have had yellow legs, white feathers, very dark eyes and coronation combs! "All from good stock." I now have 7 hens 14 pullets and three cocks. These are just "fair" birds. The plan is to start the incubator in March. I have an incubator from my Uncle George. I have built a brooder, and a separate hatcher out of wine cooler. Right now it is about 7 degrees outside with a high of 15. Its the north wind that get me. I love this thread and love you guys!! TOM

No this breed is definitely not easy but I love them. Marans are my favorite! There is a lot to learn and a challenge. They keep you wanting to learn more. Happy hatching Tom. I can't wait to see those babies. Love back and love you all. I can't wait to see what the new year in the Marans world holds.