International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[Red Banks]

Quote:
I can't answer your question about humidity in the incubator. I have read many posts telling of problems with getting it right. There are others here that are experienced. I used a broody and I buy chicks. KCrandall?

 

[chickengr]

I can't answer your question about humidity in the incubator. I have read many posts telling of problems with the right humidity. There are others here that are experienced. I used a broody and I buy chicks.

never mind. the incubator is not mine anyway so there will be an experienced person (a friend of mine) who will take care of it. but everyone here says that the hatch rate with the incubator is 60-70 % only while with the broodies it might be 100 %.

2 of my hens have been clucking since the end of june but it is too hot so they might become broodies in september. I made a compromise with my friend: he will let his broodies hatch the marans eggs and I will set his eggs when I get broodies. it seems that without friends we can do absolutely nothing!

 

[kcrandall]

I thought I would share some pics of Otis - my over colored BCM cockerel. He was hatched from a #8 egg on April 30th so he is almost 13 weeks old. I know what I like and don't like about him but thought I would let the group comment on him as I am still training my eyes. I have 3 other cockerels from the same hatch that I believe are potential breeders so I'll be posting pics of them when I can. Just so you know, it is 104 degrees in North Texas today so he is hanging his wings to stay cool. I look forward to your comments - both the good and the bad.

 

[cmarlowdrive]

OMG . . . he is so handsome. A real mr. withit.

 

[kcrandall]

I followed the incubation protocol from the breeders whose eggs I purchased. He is located 3 hours from me so our climate is very similar. I set my Brinesea at 99.6 degrees fahrenheit with 40% humidity for the first 19 days. I did not candle or open the incubator during the first 19 days. During lockdown, the final 2 days, I increased the temp to 100 degrees fahrenheit and 60% humidity. I had a 60% hatch rate - was hoping for 80% but after inspecting the unhatched eggs I discovered that 8 eggs were infertile so not too bad I guess.

 

[chickengr]

I thought I would share some pics of Otis - my over colored BCM cockerel. He was hatched from a #8 egg on April 30th so he is almost 13 weeks old. I know what I like and don't like about him but thought I would let the group comment on him as I am still training my eyes. I have 3 other cockerels from the same hatch that I believe are potential breeders so I'll be posting pics of them when I can. Just so you know, it is 104 degrees in North Texas today so he is hanging his wings to stay cool. I look forward to your comments - both the good and the bad.

I love his comb!

@Chooks man I think he is not a cull, am I right? he is not too overcoloured or at least I have seen real red breasted ones. if I understood well he and dark hens would have nice chicks. his head, eyes, ear tufts, body size and legs look ok to me. a better pic maybe would tell more.

 

[Red Banks]

I thought I would share some pics of Otis - my over colored BCM cockerel. He was hatched from a #8 egg on April 30th so he is almost 13 weeks old. I know what I like and don't like about him but thought I would let the group comment on him as I am still training my eyes. I have 3 other cockerels from the same hatch that I believe are potential breeders so I'll be posting pics of them when I can. Just so you know, it is 104 degrees in North Texas today so he is hanging his wings to stay cool. I look forward to your comments - both the good and the bad.

I like him very much.
Nice Comb
Nice color on his legs - light grey with nice pink
Light Feathers
Solid good body
I like the color on the chest!
Good color on the ear tuft
Solid on his legs good width in his body
Nice copper hackles
Good eye color
Nice long back
Did I say I like him?

 

[kcrandall]

Thanks RedBanks - much appreciated!

 

[kcrandall]

I have not named the three cockerels that I think are potential breeders so I'll refer to them as C1, C2 and C3 for reference purposes. All of my cockerels lost their tail feathers at about 8 weeks so they are just now growing back. This is C1 hatched on April 30th:









I look forward to your comments. Thanks all and more to follow later.

 

[Braxton Brigade]

Don t be jealous be inspired .

I told you I ll get you some pure BCM eggs to hatch and start your line when Available .

summer is too hot can be risky plus no many good eggs left end of the season the breeders are tired .

next season january 2017 is a great time to start . So you have a plenty of time to get your pens and yard sorted for them .you will have nice eggs sent to you guaranty .

WE ARE HERE TO HELP EACH OTHER OUT AND LEARN FROM EACH OTHER TOO.

Have a nice day

chooks man

You're right. I am setting up 2 or 3 more chicken yards tomorrow. Then I will have 4 coops specifically for my marans project, that should give me plenty of flexibility to start out. 2017 is not far, I have been doing tons of reading and note taking so I am prepared for it all.