International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[winterhorses]

This is one of the prettiest cockerels I have ever seen. You already know though that I covet Pinky! Did we see your hens? Post some pics! Are the hens from the same line? I would use what I have if I was in your situation. You can fix what is wrong with the hens by breeding to him. What is it you don't like about them?

They all are supposed to be a closed flock from Bev Davis. But none of them are near his quality with some having brown or tan eyes, incorrect combs, and the poofy feathers at the base of the tail (is there a name for that?). One of them has no copper at all, and two are mossy.

Wouldn't it be easier to start off with better hens?

 

[winterhorses]

Is it just me, or are there some serious grammar problems on the Marans of America Club website? I'm trying to read through their descriptions of the standards, and some parts of it sound like they were written by a middle schooler or someone who speaks English as a second language.

 

[chickengr]

Is it just me, or are there some serious grammar problems on the Marans of America Club website? I'm trying to read through their descriptions of the standards, and some parts of it sound like they were written by a middle schooler or someone who speaks English as a second language.

maybe google translate, lol.

 

[Red Banks]

Is it just me, or are there some serious grammar problems on the Marans of America Club website? I'm trying to read through their descriptions of the standards, and some parts of it sound like they were written by a middle schooler or someone who speaks English as a second language.

Unfortunately I see those errors everywhere I go. Technology has forever changed grammar and spelling.

We follow the French SOP.

http://marans.eu/ncuiang.htm

I like your hens. You are way better off than many because you have a closed line. You know what you have, you know what you need to fix and you know what you like. I would not bring in any new lines. I would follow Chooks mans advice and take Pinky's daughters back to him. Different lines will only give you more hens like the ones you have. My hens have some of those same problems. We can't buy our way into great birds and our own line. This is the real fun I think. Just think how satisfying it will be to take those birds and create your own line of very nice Marans.

 

[Red Banks]

Quote: There is a post I think about a month or so ago..... Chooks man broke down hen/rooster contributions to the chicks. Pinky will put color in the hackles and improve eye color. Breed the best backed daughters you get back to Pinky. Long straight backs with good tail set and no cushion. You will be well on your way. You can work on each problem in this manner. I would love to see you do this and post pictures!

 

[atakiowa]

I got a wheaton baby out of my hatch... How do I breed it...

 

[kcrandall]

There is a post I think about a month or so ago..... Chooks man broke down hen/rooster contributions to the chicks.  Pinky will put color in the hackles and improve eye color. Breed the best backed daughters you get back to Pinky.  Long straight backs with good tail set and no cushion.  You will be well on your way.  You can work on each problem in this manner.  I would love to see you do this and post pictures!

Winter horses,

I agree with RedBanks, work with what you have. If you bring in birds from another line you just added a new set if faults to your equation. I found in my notes the gender specific inheritance traits that Chooks Man explained to us. Here you go:

Inheritance from the Hen = Body type, Comb type, eggs size - form and shape /color too and body mass
 
Inheritance from the Rooster = Body color, eyes colors, eggs color, Barring gene and body mass

Pinky will correct eyes, color, mass and egg color. If you hatch enough chicks odds are you will hatch 2 or 3 pullets with the desirable traits you are looking for then breed those pullets (daughters) back to Pinky to reinforce the desirable traits. If it were me, I would at least try to breed what I have to see what you get. Breeding correct Marans is not easy, it takes work. Show birds do not produce show birds, we must choose each breeder to complement its mate to correct faults. For example, breed an over colored cock bird (red flecking in breast, copper ear tufts) to a black or poorly colored hen to add copper hackles to the female offspring. You have a great start with Pinky as your foundation.

Good Luck,
Keith

 

[bullets]

Keith,
Thank you for notating what Chooks Man said about inherited traits. I knew I saw it on this thread somewhere and now I won't have to go back looking for it.

I noticed you talked about copper colored ear tufts as being part of an over melanized bird. I was reading the black copper Marans club website last might and I believe they listed having copper color tufts as being preferred but darker red was accepted. I would go back to confirm but I'm on mobile. Sorry, I very well could be remembering wrong but I just wanted to point it out.

Thanks to everyone for being so knowledgeable and for the people asking the questions. I'm more of a lurker but I'm gaining big insight from everyone here. :]

 

[chickengr]

Keith,
Thank you for notating what Chooks Man said about inherited traits. I knew I saw it on this thread somewhere and now I won't have to go back looking for it.

I noticed you talked about copper colored ear tufts as being part of an over melanized bird. I was reading the black copper Marans club website last might and I believe they listed having copper color tufts as being preferred but darker red was accepted. I would go back to confirm but I'm on mobile. Sorry, I very well could be remembering wrong but I just wanted to point it out.

Thanks to everyone for being so knowledgeable and for the people asking the questions. I'm more of a lurker but I'm gaining big insight from everyone here. :]

black ear tufts mean an over melanized bird. copper colored ear tufts are good and darker red accepted.

 

[bullets]

Oops I said that wrong. He mentioned copper tufts as being apart of an over *colored* bird, not over melanized.

I knew I was gonna screw something up!