International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[kcrandall]

View attachment 1226503

Gorgeous eggs Snowbird - very well done!! We all strive for that kind of consistency in our birds.

Keith

 

[Old Man Tom]

It did get down to -30° F, but to be honest that's not abnormal for us in January. It did hit fast tho. My dummie birds like going outside, so once it got below zero, I had to shut them in. Not before they went and hurt their Combs, mind you....
Usually it has to get that low at least once in January. Sometimes it gets to -40. Marans are tough birds. They weather this stuff better than the legbars do.
If you ever come north, 55 and above count as t-shirt weather.

I agree 100% Marans are one tough bird, I had hens laying at -14 last year. TOM
This egg was layed last year in Jan at -14 degrees. Way to go hens! I think she is my darkest layer.

 

[Red Banks]

You’ve done well @RedBanks...Tony2 is gorgeous!! You have taken several steps in the right direction with Tony2. Breed him to hens with good combs and I am sure you’ll end up with some stunning cockerels.

Don’t give up on the black hen, especially since she lays a dark egg. My Copper Splash Hen has a similar unkempt appearance, bad comb and so-so tail but she had great eyes, type, and mass. The only reason I bred her this past Spring is because she lays a #7- my thought was to preserve the dark egg genes and fix everything later. She gave me 4 very nice BLCM pullets that lay as dark (large eggs for pullets) as she does plus they have very good type, mass, tails and eyes - 2 have fairly decent combs. I made more progress than anticipated. Now I have more dark layers with better qualities to bred this Spring. I think these girls will pair up nicely with Otis.

Take Care,
Keith

Thanks Keith...... I guess I have to give the hen a chance..... if nothing else to see what she has hidden beneath that unkempt appearance. She really is an eye sore though!

 

[Red Banks]

Lol, I am an antique glass collector! Thanks Don for the photo help.

I have a little antique/junk shop. Glass is my favorite.

 

[Red Banks]

I think she must be Antonio's favorite lady. You can always tell who the favorite is because of the festhers being worn from being topped by the rooster so much.

Not to make this x-rated or anything but roosters would have to be coming at her from all directions for her to look as bad as she does!

 

[Red Banks]

I am an antique Glass Dealer and this method is used with the crystal Glass, you can't see them but I use to table top lamps one on each side.

I love antique glass..... it speaks of a better time.

 

[marchick]

I have a little antique/junk shop. Glass is my favorite.

I have been collecting about 30 years now. Just celebrated our 30th anniversary in December. We went to town and I found a canister set. Sorry these are not Marans pictures. If my chicks had come I would have put them in the picture.

 

[Red Banks]

I have been collecting about 30 years now. Just celebrated our 30th anniversary in December. We went to town and I found a canister set. Sorry these are not Marans pictures. If my chicks had come I would have put them in the picture.View attachment 1226775

Happy Anniversary! That is a great find!

 

[KF0002]

Not to make this x-rated or anything but roosters would have to be coming at her from all directions for her to look as bad as she does!

You'd be surprised. Those big Marans boys can be rough on a hen.. and they do service their favorites and pursue them more frequently. Try separating her for a while and see if she starts looking better. Feeding her cat or dog food is a good idea for a bit like chooks man said for the extra protein to help her regrow the feathers.

 

[Red Banks]

You'd be surprised. Those big Marans boys can be rough on a hen.. and they do service their favorites and pursue them more frequently. Try separating her for a while and see if she starts looking better. Feeding her cat or dog food is a good idea for a bit like chooks man said for the extra protein to help her regrow the feathers.

Poor hen..... well I will try to help her out. They do eat all the cat food they can steal! It is just that Antonio has been dealing with 11 hens all year. If it is his fault he must really like her.... beauty is in the eye of the beholder.