International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[Minky]

I’m sorry your girls aren’t getting better. It’s never easy to make those decsions but I try to focus on the good life they had.

Thanks for the kind words. I will try and give them a nice morning outside in the fresh air.

 

[Minky]

I think I recall @Chooks man saying that ideally one doesn't breed a pullet until her first birthday-or until her eggs are over 50 g?? My 3 marans pullets have laid about 30 eggs between them, and they are averaging about 55 g.
Would you say it would be ok to put them in with my rooster in a couple weeks? I was hoping to set some eggs in early November... test out my incubator before hatching season starts...

 

[kcrandall]

I think I recall @Chooks man saying that ideally one doesn't breed a pullet until her first birthday-or until her eggs are over 50 g?? My 3 marans pullets have laid about 30 eggs between them, and they are averaging about 55 g.
Would you say it would be ok to put them in with my rooster in a couple weeks? I was hoping to set some eggs in early November... test out my incubator before hatching season starts...

I do not incubate eggs that weigh less than 65 g and prefer eggs in the 70-75 g range. I find my hatch rate decreases when eggs are under 65 g.

 

[Punkybrewster]

Marans eggs should be at least 65g to use for hatching. Big eggs= big chickens.

We dont want to begin breeding smaller marans because then we lose this important characteristic they have.

If you hatch smaller eggs, you will be breeding small marans.

 

[kcrandall]

I think I recall @Chooks man saying that ideally one doesn't breed a pullet until her first birthday-or until her eggs are over 50 g?? My 3 marans pullets have laid about 30 eggs between them, and they are averaging about 55 g.
Would you say it would be ok to put them in with my rooster in a couple weeks? I was hoping to set some eggs in early November... test out my incubator before hatching season starts...

I usually operate my incubator empty for 2-3 days prior to incubation to make sure that temperature and humidity will hold at the desired levels as well as making sure the automatic egg turner is working properly.

 

[Minky]

Eggsellent! I did not know that. Thanks for that info.
I figured they would be born small but catch up by 6 months or so..... interesting that that is not the case.
One of my marans pullets laid a 74 gram egg today! 24 weeks old. OUCH! Not particularly dark, but BIG.

 

[chickengr]

once I got abig hen from a small egg. unfortunately she died from no obvious reasnon.

 

[snowbird]

I have found that if you use a small female chicken Marans as a breeder that likely that the off spring will be on the small side. Also that the early hatch Fowl will tend to get larger.

 

[Punkybrewster]

Chooks man has said in the past that a smaller rooster can be used if he has other great qualities but make sure to breed to a large hen.

He has stated that the hens size is most important when breeding. Especally if you have to use a smaller rooster.

Most genetics for size come from the hen if i remember correctly.

 

[Chooks man]

I have found that if you use a small female chicken Marans as a breeder that likely that the off spring will be on the small side. Also that the early hatch Fowl will tend to get larger.

agree with you . hen is responsible for a type .
chooks man