International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[KF0002]

are those side sprigs? if so, I am afraid you should not breed him. side sprigs would ruin the whole line. can you post more pics of his comb? the more experienced ones will tell you what to do.

I will disagree though that side springs dont "ruin" a line because even some of the best lines carry the recessive genes for side sprigs.. amongst other ugly recessive traits like vulture hocks for example. I know this for a fact.

The batch of eggs I hatched from the same breeder/same line as Redbanks birds I hatched a chick with a side sprig. Do Redbanks's birds look ruined? They most certainly do not, they are stunning. It just so happened that I hit the genetic lottery (not in a good way) and got the worser gene pool from that line. Redbanks was very fortunate and got birds with the better genetics. The origin of the birds from that line were LP and GFF.

Even the most well bred lines from the top breeders are going to throw some not so pretty traits from time to time. Marans are still in their infancy as a breed and havent been refined to the extent some of the older breeds have. You are correct that it is best to cull these traits when you have the luxury to cull. But I will quote Redbanks and her wise words, "dont throw the baby out with the bath water."

 

[chickengr]

I will disagree though that side springs dont "ruin" a line because even some of the best lines carry the recessive genes for side sprigs.. amongst other ugly recessive traits like vulture hocks for example. I know this for a fact.

The batch of eggs I hatched from the same breeder/same line as Redbanks birds I hatched a chick with a side sprig. Do Redbanks's birds look ruined? They most certainly do not, they are stunning. It just so happened that I hit the genetic lottery (not in a good way) and got the worser gene pool from that line. Redbanks was very fortunate and got birds with the better genetics. The origin of the birds from that line were LP and GFF.

Even the most well bred lines from the top breeders are going to throw some not so pretty traits from time to time. Marans are still in their infancy as a breed and havent been refined to the extent some of the older breeds have. You are correct that it is best to cull these traits when you have the luxury to cull. But I will quote Redbanks and her wise words, "dont throw the baby out with the bath water."

I am the last one to cull birds for any reason. but if I remember well chooks was hard on culling side sprigs. I do agree that hens are more responsible for combs.

 

[shepherd6567]

The points jutting out on either side put me in the mind of carnation comb but there is an inverted point. Maybe a mix of both? Its a very bizarre looking comb most definitely, that turned up from eggs I sent to @shepherd6567. He has decided to grow him out and watch him though. I agree that it isnt ideal to breed a bird with comb like that because it will likely pop up time and again in future generations as it is more than likely genetic.

Different breeders have different goals in their breeding programs. It is best to cull hard for DQ type traits when you see them. But would you cull this bird if his type and color was amazing as he matures, and instead breed a bird with horribly ugly type and color but a good comb? Type and topline is definitely something that is harder to get right from my experience. Combs can be worked on once the foundation is set. You cant paint the house and install light fixtures and such until you have the foundation done and the house built first.

His comb is such a mess, it’s hard to tell exactly what faults are there. I think it is only inverted, but like I mentioned earlier he has enough good at the moment that I won’t throw him out for just that. In fact he’s growing on me more each day. If he does like one of the pullets and continues to grow out of it, it may completely grow out normal. Body wise, he’s almost twice the size of the other fellas.

 

[marchick]

Well, Here are the new babies.

 

[KF0002]

Well, Here are the new babies. Sad I lost 3 in shipping. Two White Marans pullets and one Blue Copper pullet.
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Im sorry you lost 3! They are adorable though! I'm glad they have finally arrived!

 

[marchick]

Im sorry you lost 3! They are adorable though! I'm glad they have finally arrived!

Thank you!

 

[KF0002]

His comb is such a mess, it’s hard to tell exactly what faults are there. I think it is only inverted, but like I mentioned earlier he has enough good at the moment that I won’t throw him out for just that. In fact he’s growing on me more each day. If he does like one of the pullets and continues to grow out of it, it may completely grow out normal. Body wise, he’s almost twice the size of the other fellas.

I would think if he was going to grow out of it he would have by now, but you never know how they will change as they mature. I look forward to seeing how they all look as they grow out. I hope you end up with some good breeders to work with.

 

[Magnolia Hill]

Well, Here are the new babies.
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Congrats, i wish you the best with them.

 

[marchick]

Congrats, i wish you the best with them.

Thank You!

 

[OneMountainAcres]

I finally managed to get all my boys banded this evening, each with a different colored zip tie. I'll be getting their pictures soon for you all to judge.