International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[Chooks man]

horsesNchicks,

How old is Pierre? It would also be helpful if you could give us pictures of him in a natural stance from the side, front and rear so we can see him from different angles.

Pierre looks young - 16-18 weeks old - so he still has some growing to do. Here is what I see from your pic:

1. Good eye color
2. Good but not great - straight, lobe is well lifted above back of his head.
3. Head - Good Shape / Strong
4. Good beak color - horn colored.
5. Good copper ear tufts - sign he’ll add copper to his female progeny
6. Good red shoulder (upper part of wing) - I would like to see more red in the shoulder but he’s young so he should color up some more. Solid, well red shoulder indicates he’ll add good color to his offspring.
7. Copper flecking on the breast - good trait for a breeder Cock, another rsign he’ll add copper hackles to his female progeny.
8. Copper Hackles / Saddle Feathers are just OK - Cooper color appears to be on the gold side of the spectrum but that could be the sun affecting the color. Another pic w/o direct sunlight would be helpful.
9. Good type - rectangular body slightly tilted towards the back.
10. Nice long back.
11. Tail Angle is good
12. Nice slate shanks / feet.
13. Feathered shanks / feet are lightly feathered - need more feathering on the feet but not a major issue.

Keith

agree with Keith.

chooks man

 

[Red Banks]

I like this Cockerel too but his color is not as well defined as his hatchmates. Hopefully he’ll color up nicely!

Thank you Keith. One thing I don't have a problem with is color, always plenty of that to go around.

 

[Red Banks]

Hi can you tell me what you like and don't like about my 4 month old Pierre? TIA

Keith did a great job describing your cockerel! It always helps the thread if you post pictures front, back and side. If possible a close up of the head. Can't wait to see Pierre as he matures. Thank you for posting.

 

[KF0002]

Poor Tony2 and just a couple of days ago he was "a mile" better than Antonio. You have to hand it to Antonio, he IS the sire of these chicks. I actually was just admiring Tony2 today. We will give him and all the rest some time and pick the best. How many roosters do I need? My favorite has the least hackle.

I would keep bare minimum of two of your best cockerels. You truly never know what may happen and you dont want to cull down to one rooster and then something happen to him. All a spare rooster needs in terms of pen space is a 4x4 ft pen with a roost to keep him in. I have had free ranging Marans and Legbar cockerels cause peck fights with penned roosters through the wire causing damage so if you plan on having a free ranging flock you may want to keep an eye open for that. Boys will be boys!

 

[Red Banks]

I would keep bare minimum of two of your best cockerels. You truly never know what may happen and you dont want to cull down to one rooster and then something happen to him. All a spare rooster needs in terms of pen space is a 4x4 ft pen with a roost to keep him in. I have had free ranging Marans and Legbar cockerels cause peck fights through the wire of a pen causing damage so if you plan on having a free ranging flock you may want to keep an eye open for that. Boys will be boys!

So it is like Royalty...... an heir and a spare!

 

[Chooks man]

Poor Tony2 and just a couple of days ago he was "a mile" better than Antonio. You have to hand it to Antonio, he IS the sire of these chicks. I actually was just admiring Tony2 today. We will give him and all the rest some time and pick the best. How many roosters do I need? My favorite has the least hackle.

yes Antonio is they sire ,but don t forget they mama hen s .
a cockerels get a lot from they mama ,because of the sex linked genes .
they ll get a lot color gene too from Antonio .

to me a little one are always better than they Sire/Dam .because they are a blond of they parents stock .

how many rooster you need ?
depend on how you want to breed your chooks . line breeding? or pen breeding ?

line breeding .you ll need as many cockerels as the number of lines you want to create .
if you chose pen breeding than you need at least 4 cockerels/roosters .2 for each pen .
one pen for the mama hens and one pen for the young laddies .

chooks man

 

[Red Banks]

yes Antonio is they sire ,but don t forget they mama hen s .
a cockerels get a lot from they mama ,because of the sex linked genes .
they ll get a lot color gene too from Antonio .

to me a little one are always better than they Sire/Dam .because they are a blond of they parents stock .

how many rooster you need ?
depend on how you want to breed your chooks . line breeding? or pen breeding ?

line breeding .you ll need as many cockerels as the number of lines you want to create .
if you chose pen breeding than you need at least 4 cockerels/roosters .2 for each pen .
one pen for the mama hens and one pen for the young laddies .

chooks man

Thanks Chooks man. I have an empty pen and I think I will separate the young cockerels from the pullets. I will get them used to being in a bachelor pen for now.

 

[KF0002]

So it is like Royalty...... an heir and a spare!

Yep and like royalty if a hen doesnt produce a worthy heir to the throne, off with her head! Or more mildly, banished to a happy life with the laying flock.

 

[marchick]

I am not happy! My roosters have been starting to fight. I think I am going to look for a new home for Hulk. That will leave me three roosters. I am sure I will get more when my 12 chicks come. I think I started something when I moved Thor out. He was the main rooster. Now I think Hawk is going to be head Rooster.

 

[KF0002]

I am not happy! My roosters have been starting to fight. I think I am going to look for a new home for Hulk. That will leave me three roosters. I am sure I will get more when my 12 chicks come. I think I started something when I moved Thor out. He was the main rooster. Now I think Hawk is going to be head Rooster.

Its normal and natural behavior.. it is their natural pecking order. Thor, the main rooster is no longer around to keep everyone in check so the males begin competing for that dominant position. A hierarchy exists in all animals and as long as no serious injuries are occuring, you can let them work it out amongst themselves.