International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[Old Man Tom]

I don't try until they are around 6 weeks. But I remember red banks saying he could tell on his at days old so we can test his skills

Did you only order 4?? I'm pretty sure Red Banks is a lady. TOM

 

[Hensndoes]

#3 & #4 These are some very, very nice looking chics. If I remember Chooks Man's teaching less white, especially around the eyes is RIGHT ON. TOM

This is my 2nd go with marans and as a newb I can't help but try to study them to learn. #1 is very dark compared to the others and both 1 & 3 have a higher wing set. It will be nice if I can keep track of their changes. I will be able to keep 1 cockerel in a second pen so hoping not all boys this time.

 

[Hensndoes]

Did you only order 4?? I'm pretty sure Red Banks is a lady. TOM

Oh shit.

Well then who is Keith? Aliases!!!

Edit to add - ordered 5. I have chester- a blue copper - from the same breeder. I'd like to not breed all their line so will add some from another either this fall or in spring. Will be hard to beat them though. They have nice birds.

Edit again: ya know. I'm not terribly embarrassed. I know red banks chickens when I see them!

 

[Old Man Tom]

Oh shit.

Well then who is Keith? Aliases!!!

Edit to add - ordered 5. I have chester- a blue copper - from the same breeder. I'd like to not breed all their line so will add some from another either this fall or in spring. Will be hard to beat them though. They have nice birds.

Edit again: ya know. I'm not terribly embarrassed. I know red banks chickens when I see them!

Hopefully one of them will check in soon. Red Banks??
I checked on their web site ( Alchemist ) and they have already combine three different lines. Bev Davis, Little Peddler and Wade Jean sometimes this can be a problem. TOM

 

[Magnolia Hill]

I don't try until they are around 6 weeks. But I remember red banks saying he could tell on his at days old so we can test his skills

Me too, and 100% agree #1 and 2 are excatly what i look for in a hatch down. But #1 is showing off for sure.

 

[Hensndoes]

Hopefully one of them will check in soon. Red Banks??
I checked on their web site ( Alchemist ) and they have already combine three different lines. Bev Davis, Little Peddler and Wade Jean sometimes this can be a problem. TOM

How so? (Truly learning) they have listed that description for years. I'm not sure how long they have worked those lines but they have given credit to roots for some time. They aren't a big farm. I was quite happy with my first order except neither laid eggs. Chester is really stunning. Looking at my other options in New England it's whose fault do I want to add to my starter project.

 

[KF0002]

I ended up with this little fella out of a black and blue copper breeding, my first thought was a splash but it's not showing and other colors on its feathers. It's pure white.View attachment 1356267 View attachment 1356271 View attachment 1356269 View attachment 1356268

any ideas ?

Looks like a recessive white sport. Breed him/her back to the parent of the opposite sex and you'll have more and can start your own White Marans line. Congrats! It's a little cutie!

 

[KF0002]

hermaphrodite? does he crow at all?

He does not crow at all and is smaller than my meat cockerels (Sussex hybrids) that are younger than him. His sister is bigger than him also, same age.

 

[Magnolia Hill]

When someone tells me these birds are off so and so's flock or they come from this farm or that farm i usually just ignore it. the marans will speak for them selfs, most of the time you can tell quality right off. And to me, to be honest looking at all the reputable farms and breeders i haven't been all that empressed for the money they ask. And just speaking for myself here but I've found better marans from people breeding in the woods( so to speak) just because they love the breed. They all have potential, it's What you do with them that counts.

 

[KF0002]

Don't know we have to ask Kfelton0002. I hadn't thought of that. Maybe it is a pullet! Now that you mention it, it does look more like a pullet that a cockerel. Kfelton0002 said cockerel and I never thought of anything else. @kfelton0002 What do you think?

I don't know much about hermaphroditism in chickens, but we have hatched the rare freak before, as my husband calls them. One particular bird feathered out with a mixture of male and female characteristics: wheaten coloration with a salmon breast which is a female characteristic, instead of black as should be with a rooster, and the bird had a red back, shoulders, and red sickle shaped saddle feathers, and a black tail with sickle feathers like a rooster. The bird, like a rooster would tread a wing at a hen and mount her, but would act like a hen and even squat when opposed by another cock bird. It never laid an egg, but crowed like a rooster at times and sang like a hen other times. Deemed a freak of nature, my husband culled the bird.