International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[KF0002]

Thanks Kayla, I culled the pullet. I just thought it was best to protect the flock and end her suffering. A physical injury I will work very hard to save them. The unknown illness' scare me, I don't want to save one to put all the others in danger. I also feel they are a threat to the future vigor of their offspring and the flock.

Sorry to hear that but I would have done the same thing. We cull weak and less vigorous birds for the same reason you mentioned. You only want the strongest and healthiest birds to continue your line. You dont want to perpetuate weakness. I hope the rest remain healthy!

 

[Red Banks]

Sorry to hear that but I would have done the same thing. We cull weak and less vigorous birds for the same reason you mentioned. You only want the strongest and healthiest birds to continue your line. You dont want to perpetuate weakness. I hope the rest remain healthy!

Thank you..... so far so good.

 

[Red Banks]

Otis is showing signs of improvement today...he’s still a little shaky on his feet but he’s eating / drinking well and, most importantly, he’s not walking backwards or head shaking. I’m still giving him vitamin supplements in his water along with ACV and garlic for parasite control. Tomorrow he gets another 1/4 cc of ivermectin. I’ll also mix him up some feed with yogurt to help replenish his good flora. I wouldn’t say he’s out of the woods just yet but for the first time in 4 days I have some hope.

@RedBanks - I’m so sorry you had to cull your pullet! I know it wasn’t easy but you made the right decision for your flock.

@chickengr - I agree with your broad spectrum approach for treating your flock. I hope for all the best for you and your birds.

Take Care All,
Keith

@kcrandall I am so glad to hear Otis is on the mend. What is the dosage for ivermectin for chickens? If you use ivermectin do you also stop eating the eggs and for how long? I know we are always off topic but that is what makes this thread so helpful. We should rename it "Just a bunch of friends talking about Marans!"

 

[kcrandall]

I was noticing that on the Facebook page where I have a order in for Birchen Marans. They show where he is working on a lacing project. Shouldn't Birchen be solid black chest? Down lower on the page show Birchen with the solid black chest. Maybe I should be specific and say I want chicks from the solid pen not the lacing project.

@marchick,

I believe Silver Birchen Marans (SBM) are supposed to have some amount of lacing which I know is counter intuitive to Black Copper Marans (also a Birchen pattern).

I recall a ChooksMan post a few months back that mentioned a Birchen pattern chook should naturally have some form of lacing but when the French drafted their BCM SOP they preferred a BCM with no lacing which goes against what nature wants to do. Hopefully I didn’t mess up what ChooksMan was saying. If I did he will correct me. I can’t seem to figure out how to search this thread for older post.

Keith

 

[kcrandall]

@kcrandall I am so glad to hear Otis is on the mend. What is the dosage for ivermectin for chickens? If you use ivermectin do you also stop eating the eggs and for how long? I know we are always off topic but that is what makes this thread so helpful. We should rename it "Just a bunch of friends talking about Marans!"

Haaa, I like the new name! I used Poultry DVM (http://www.poultrydvm.com/) to diagnose Otis. For gapeworms it suggested 1/4 cc Ivermectin - I gave him one dose day before yesterday and I plan to give him another tomorrow. After that I will wait to see how he’s doing before I give him anymore.

I would egg withdrawal for 7 days but my hens / pullets are on strike due to the cold. We topped out at 60 F today heading to 20 F overnight with windchills in the single digits.

Take Care,
Keith

 

[kcrandall]

@marchick,

I believe Silver Birchen Marans (SBM) are supposed to have some amount of lacing which I know is counter intuitive to Black Copper Marans (also a Birchen pattern).

I recall a ChooksMan post a few months back that mentioned a Birchen pattern chook should naturally have some form of lacing but when the French drafted their BCM SOP they preferred a BCM with no lacing which goes against what nature wants to do. Hopefully I didn’t mess up what ChooksMan was saying. If I did he will correct me. I can’t seem to figure out how to search this thread for older post.

Keith

Marchick - Read ChooksMan Post #7007. I messed up a little - BCM is impossible to get lacing but with the SBM it’s possible and desired. ChooksMan says it’s not really understood why the lacing occurs in the SBM - may have something to do with the Silver gene.

Keith

 

[Red Banks]

@marchick,

I believe Silver Birchen Marans (SBM) are supposed to have some amount of lacing which I know is counter intuitive to Black Copper Marans (also a Birchen pattern).

I recall a ChooksMan post a few months back that mentioned a Birchen pattern chook should naturally have some form of lacing but when the French drafted their BCM SOP they preferred a BCM with no lacing which goes against what nature wants to do. Hopefully I didn’t mess up what ChooksMan was saying. If I did he will correct me. I can’t seem to figure out how to search this thread for older post.

Keith

I found this post..... there are others. You go to search and type it what you are looking for and whose post it was. Not perfect but it can work.
"Agree with you .gorgeous look .silver over Black .nice pattern .
plus the Birchen hens tend to have better hackle marking and the Birchen Roo has a better laced chest" chooks man @kcrandall Oops just saw your next post!

 

[Red Banks]

Haaa, I like the new name! I used Poultry DVM (http://www.poultrydvm.com/) to diagnose Otis. For gapeworms it suggested 1/4 cc Ivermectin - I gave him one dose day before yesterday and I plan to give him another tomorrow. After that I will wait to see how he’s doing before I give him anymore.

I would egg withdrawal for 7 days but my hens / pullets are on strike due to the cold. We topped out at 60 F today heading 20 F overnight with windchills in the single digits.

Take Care,
Keith

You are still just a tad warmer than we are. I have a few hens laying. Right now the ones that are laying are my best colorwise.

 

[chickengr]

luna laid an egg after a molt/winter break. it was #4 with a lot of #9 spots.

 

[Red Banks]

Haaa, I like the new name! I used Poultry DVM (http://www.poultrydvm.com/) to diagnose Otis. For gapeworms it suggested 1/4 cc Ivermectin - I gave him one dose day before yesterday and I plan to give him another tomorrow. After that I will wait to see how he’s doing before I give him anymore.

I would egg withdrawal for 7 days but my hens / pullets are on strike due to the cold. We topped out at 60 F today heading to 20 F overnight with windchills in the single digits.

Take Care,
Keith

Thanks for the website!