International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[Magnolia Hill]

It took me a week to find the rest of my flock after they scattered. I have zero tolerance for something trying to eat my birds now

 

[KF0002]

you better keep her locked up, i keep all my babies locked up until I'm positive i can chance losing them. Our big problem down here on the gulf coast is hawks and bald eagles are getting more and more abundant, ive seen a hawk bomb right in the middle of my flock one and came up with a full grown orpington and flew off with it. I was like WTF!! Craziest stuff i ever seen. And them SOBs sit on the trees over my coop just waiting on one to slip up.

Holy crap! We have hawks here in abundance and the rare glimpse of a bald eagle on occasion. A hawk is what Im thinking got my Lucille. I miss her sweet face. Its all my fault I didnt protect her better but I will ensure her best babies are safe. Lucille was a big hefty girl, no delicate little thing, so whatever got her was pretty big. It got her in broad daylight. Her lighter blue feathers must've made her stick out like a sore thumb. I ended up penning up my smallest dark blue pullet also after I posted last. I may end up penning all the blue coppers before its all said and done. I have a crap ton of black coppers, but only a handful of blues. I cant afford to lose anymore.

Im losing layers left and right. I counted today and Im down 2 Leghorn hybrids and two Olive Eggers. Its because they stray too far from the house. I need to get my entire property fenced very soon so my dogs can patrole the entire propery. So dang frustrating to lose my birds!

 

[Magnolia Hill]

Holy crap! We have hawks here in abundance and the rare glimpse of a bald eagle on occasion. A hawk is what Im thinking got my Lucille. I miss her sweet face. Its all my fault I didnt protect her better but I will ensure her best babies are safe. Lucille was a big hefty girl, no delicate little thing, so whatever got her was pretty big. It got her in broad daylight. Her lighter blue feathers must've made her stick out like a sore thumb. I ended up penning up my smallest dark blue pullet also after I posted last. I may end up penning all the blue coppers before its all said and done. I have a crap ton of black coppers, but only a handful of blues. I cant afford to lose anymore.

Im losing layers left and right. I counted today and Im down 2 Leghorn hybrids and two Olive Eggers. Its because they stray too far from the house. I need to get my entire property fenced very soon so my dogs can patrole the entire propery. So dang frustrating to lose my birds!

Well you can't beat yourself up about it, stuff happens. I'm in the same boat wanting to fence my property in also, and i want to fence my chicken area in also inside my property. it's going to be a thing i do in stages, and i got ten acres so its going to cost a pretty penny just in materials. One day though.

 

[WVduckchick]

Any opinions on the good and bad of this fella??
Edit - only 12 weeks old.

 

[Hensndoes]

Since Lucille was taken by a varmint I felt it was necessary to pen up my favorite blue copper pullet today, my darkest blue. I hate to put her in solitude but for the future of my blue coppers I didnt want to chance it. She has her flaws but she is the color blue I like and her lacing is pretty. She is the widest pullet also, wide the entire length of her back whereas one if her lighter sisters looks a little narrow. Her eyes are too dark and her tail angle may creep up toward being too high as she gets closer to POL but I like her and will try to pair her well when the time comes.

View attachment 1426579 View attachment 1426580

She's beautiful

 

[Hensndoes]

Any opinions on the good and bad of this fella??
Edit - only 12 weeks old.
View attachment 1427034

Well they say hens know things. Look at all those ladies swooning over him. Some good looking pullets there too. Same age?

Edit to add: can you post pics of him on his own from all angles? You will get some good feedback from the natives if you do

 

[WVduckchick]

Well they say hens know things. Look at all those ladies swooning over him. Some good looking pullets there too. Same age?

Edit to add: can you post pics of him on his own from all angles? You will get some good feedback from the natives if you do

Yes thanks, they are all the same age. I have 2 cockerels and 8 pullets. Individual shots are doable, but I can't tell most of them apart lol! Other than a little more or a little less copper on them.
I'll get some better shots for opinions.

 

[KF0002]

Any opinions on the good and bad of this fella??
Edit - only 12 weeks old.
View attachment 1427034

So far he's looking good! He still has some filling out to do yet but he looks like he is going to be a nice bird. He looks to be standing upright in the picture so make sure when you take more pics from different angles that the birds are relaxed and positioned in their natural position.

When taking pictures I find its best to get down on the ground by the birds and take pictures from the front, rear view, side view, and pictures from up above of their backs.

 

[KF0002]

Well you can't beat yourself up about it, stuff happens. I'm in the same boat wanting to fence my property in also, and i want to fence my chicken area in also inside my property. it's going to be a thing i do in stages, and i got ten acres so its going to cost a pretty penny just in materials. One day though.

Fencing does cost a pretty penny, and like you we will just do it a little at a time until we eventually get it all done. I may take a few years but we'll get there. Lol

 

[KF0002]

She's beautiful

Thank you! I love the darker blue girls.