International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[marchick]

@Chooks man - I understand my two pups (Aussies), although great dogs and trained, do have minds of their own. They watch me working on something then they go behind me and undo it. C’est la vie!

Take Care,
Keith

I had a black Norwegian elkhound. She would follow me around everywhere. If I layed anything down and forgot to say leave it alone. She would rip it to shreds. I had to say leave it alone. I set out gallon size plants to put in the ground. I forgot to say leave it alone. I ended up with good mulch. She did eventually grow out of that. She was the best dog ever! She lived to be 22 years old. Lost her about 3 years ago.

 

[kcrandall]

I had a black Norwegian elkhound. She would follow me around everywhere. If I layed anything down and forgot to say leave it alone. She would rip it to shreds. I had to say leave it alone. I set out gallon size plants to put in the ground. I forgot to say leave it alone. I ended up with good mulch. She did eventually grow out of that. She was the best dog ever! She lived to be 22 years old. Lost her about 3 years ago.

@marchick - My Jed did the same thing to my blackberry plants. They were thorned plants and he mowed through them like butter. He also girdled my fig tree killing it. Gus doesn’t chew much but he has the wanderlust.

 

[HenHouse4Life]

1st egg from 1 of 4 BCM breeder pullets. The others have not laid yet but any day now!

 

[kcrandall]

View attachment 1884230
1st egg from 1 of 4 BCM breeder pullets. The others have not laid yet but any day now!

Nice color @HenHouse4Life!

Keith

 

[Chooks man]

Nice color @HenHouse4Life!

Keith

X 2

chooks man

 

[Acre4Me]

My Marans are now 16 weeks old. We have 3 males: a Black Copper, a Blue Copper, and a Blue Splash Copper. Are any of these good representatives of the breed? This is my first time with Marans, so, I am not sure what detracts or what is valued in terms of a male.

I've heard of "parasitic white" feathers - and these look like they may have them, but not sure.

The way the 3 stand is very different also. The Black one is very erect, with tail held high. The Blue one isn't quite so erect, and tail is usually at a 45 degree angle off the back. The Splash is more "gangly" looking and is definitely in low standing amongst the males, so he does not stand erect, and will try to stay away in general from the Black Copper Marans, in particular. Not sure which posture is desired. I've noticed their combs are a bit different too, with the Black one having what may be the proper comb, where it has the back portion that is not attached to the head (not sure what that feature is called).


Let me know your thoughts.

All 3 of the boys:

Blue Copper (2 pics)

Black Copper (2 pics)

Splash:

 

[Bantambird]

That tail angle on the black copper is pretty severe, an it would be nice if he stood little less erect . The blue copper has good color potential but we need him in an alert pose to see tail angles and body carriage. The splash has a little more growing to do, he seems to be a slower grower. The Combs all have flaws, but yes, your black copper is nicely lifted, though the blade is serrated. The other boys need to catch up to his growth.
My kids took 4 cockerels to the fair this year. The recessive white, the proper blue with slightly lacking pattern, and two black silvers. Judge put the black silvers over the white and blue silver last. I thought for sure the white would win, but I don't think he liked the tail or something, I never got to ask the guy and he didn't talk to the kids or stick around. The older judge who handled the turkeys I got to talk to, I got some good tips for turkeys next year. I'm still shocked, but the black silvers are truely stunning and complete, so maybe he just was awesome by their beauty.

 

[Acre4Me]

The splash has a little more growing to do, he seems to be a slower grower.

Yes, I agree. Also, he has a bit of a funny stance anyway - like he's putting all his weight on one foot and leaning a bit. So, I don't think he is a long term keeper.

The blue copper has good color potential but we need him in an alert pose to see tail angles and body carriage.

We like this bird as well. He seems to be decent overall, and so far his attitude is fine - we have not caught him being aggressive yet (unlike the Black Copper which is the head cockerel of all the straight run males in this age batch of various breeds - but, we do have a head rooster, so none of these cockerels is really in charge).

That tail angle on the black copper is pretty severe, an it would be nice if he stood little less erect .

This is his stance always - and he seems to be guarding various doorways at times. In this pic, he is standing in front of the brooder for the 5 week old chicks, but didn't harass them. Otherwise, he has harassed and chased a couple of other males at roosting time (while in the run) and then would stand like this, strutting around the doorway to the main coop while the harassed males were still in the run and the main rooster was already inside roosting.

but the black silvers are truely stunning and complete

Great for your kids! Haven't seen this type (Black Silver) yet, but they sound gorgeous!

 

[Bantambird]

looks like the other roosters ate part of white guy's tail. I was thinking of naming him Albedo.

here are the 7 other boys left, a few will head to dinner, but there are several here I really like. These are all black silver or blue silver.

here's my youngest white for this year, he and his brothers are coming along nicely. The turkey is a sweetgrass jenny

 

[Acre4Me]

View attachment 1887419 View attachment 1887420 View attachment 1887421 View attachment 1887422 View attachment 1887423 looks like the other roosters ate part of white guy's tail. I was thinking of naming him Albedo.View attachment 1887426 View attachment 1887428 View attachment 1887430 here are the 7 other boys left, a few will head to dinner, but there are several here I really like. These are all black silver or blue silver.
View attachment 1887432 here's my youngest white for this year, he and his brothers are coming along nicely. The turkey is a sweetgrass jenny

Nice birds!!! Gorgeous!