International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[KF0002]

The people I got her from just wanted to make money. She was just too young and very sick when I got her and her brother. If I hadn't had bought them I am sure they would have been dead by now.They had a virus, ear mites, fleas, tape worms. After several months and many trips to vet she is doing good. All but her eye the vet thinks it did damage to the duct when she was so little and sick. It is always red. We are going to try very expensive drops. That she would be on the rest of her life. If the eye continues to bother her he wants to remove the eye. I am hoping for a miracle.

Well I hope the drops work, but if not don't worry. If the eye is causing her discomfort, she will be much happier if the vet removes it. Its horrible the lady you got her from was only trying to make money and didn't care about the cat's wellbeing. It's good she found a home with someone who loves her.

 

[bald Rooster]

Well last year I decided to only breed BCM this year.
I have two cockerels from last April. So I put them with the girls a couple days ago.
And they seem to be a little slow.
One is getting the hang of it. But the other one just grabs them and doesn't get on board lol. Im hoping to start collecting eggs for the bator mid feb.
Wish me luck!

 

[KF0002]

Well last year I decided to only breed BCM this year.
I have two cockerels from last April. So I put them with the girls a couple days ago.
And they seem to be a little slow.
One is getting the hang of it. But the other one just grabs them and doesn't get on board lol. Im hoping to start collecting eggs for the bator mid feb.
Wish me luck!

Cockerels are very clumsy and lack grace in their romantic pursuits. It takes a while for them to perfect their technique. Poor girls! I can almost hear their thoughts when I put a younger cockerel in the pen with older hens. Our Game hens HATE young males, and quite frankly will beat the snot out of a cockerel. Up until a Game cockerel gets to the point where he has enough size and mojo to stand up to the hens, they really get treated rough by the girls. Even my Marans hens seem to be bullies when it comes to cockerels and they are the most gentle breed I own. lol

Good luck and happy hatching!!

 

[chickengr]

@Chooks man or anyone:

my friends have always had black copper marans for years. my marans come from them. 1 of the last year cockerels has a brown triangle on his wings like wheaten marans. any explanation?

 

[OneMountainAcres]

I found one of my girls dead this morning I'm not sure what happened or why. I did notice that she'd been in the nest a lot the past 2 days but didn't have time to really investigate. I'm so glad I kept all the babies I hatched on and before New Years. I haven't had any new eggs in weeks due to the cold, dreary days. I'm only left with a pair now. I'm hoping I get some good pullets from this group.

 

[marchick]

I found one of my girls dead this morning I'm not sure what happened or why. I did notice that she'd been in the nest a lot the past 2 days but didn't have time to really investigate. I'm so glad I kept all the babies I hatched on and before New Years. I haven't had any new eggs in weeks due to the cold, dreary days. I'm only left with a pair now. I'm hoping I get some good pullets from this group.

So sorry! I hope you get good replacements. How many did you hatch?

 

[chickengr]

I found one of my girls dead this morning I'm not sure what happened or why. I did notice that she'd been in the nest a lot the past 2 days but didn't have time to really investigate. I'm so glad I kept all the babies I hatched on and before New Years. I haven't had any new eggs in weeks due to the cold, dreary days. I'm only left with a pair now. I'm hoping I get some good pullets from this group.

sorry for your loss.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

So sorry! I hope you get good replacements. How many did you hatch?

Thank you. I believe there are 10, maybe 9. Now I'm going to have to count again. I know at least 4 are boys :/ I know it's not a lot to work with but it's better than nothing.

sorry for your loss.

Thank you.

 

[KF0002]

I found one of my girls dead this morning I'm not sure what happened or why. I did notice that she'd been in the nest a lot the past 2 days but didn't have time to really investigate. I'm so glad I kept all the babies I hatched on and before New Years. I haven't had any new eggs in weeks due to the cold, dreary days. I'm only left with a pair now. I'm hoping I get some good pullets from this group.

Aww Im so sorry! Unfortunately that happens. Losing birds is a given thing. There likely wasnt anything you could havs done. Sounds like she may have been egg bound. But I have known hens to retreat to the nest boxes to get away from the rooster. That is usually the one place a rooster wont pursue a hen. She may have just been feeling ill and wanted to be alone, so she went to the nest box. I hope you end up with lots of nice pullets to pick through.

 

[KF0002]

@Chooks man or anyone:

my friends have always had black copper marans for years. my marans come from them. 1 of the last year cockerels has a brown triangle on his wings like wheaten marans. any explanation?

Wheaten was crossed into the line at some point and the genes have surfaced to show up in the bird. A brown/red wing triangle is an indicator of wheaten.

Marans folks Im friends with in a facebook group say that excessive chest color is a possible indicator of wheaten hidden in a line of black coppers also. If that is the case, my line B birds may have wheaten in them also. I was told that the only way to tell when you are unsure is to test mate to a bird like a rhode island red. If the chicks are black, no wheaten in the line. If the chicks are light or red there is wheaten in the line. I plan on test mating an overcolored cockerel to a wheaten based hen soon to see just out of curiosity.