International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[wrathsfarm]

absolutly stunning ,speckle egg always win for me .
chooks man

Couldn't have gotten here without you and others help. Can't thank everyone here enough.
I know they are not 7 to 9s on the chart yet but I'm moving forward with what I have and very fortunate to have you all here to help guide me in the right direction...

 

[Tstraub]

That's a good thing, tho. Sounds like your boys are well mannered and the older ones are teaching them to be respectful. Be thankful, it can go haywire in a matter of seconds.

My first experience was mass chaos by this age til I separated them. (Live and Learn)
I've been letting the 3 pullets free range only with the Marans flock for a couple weeks now but their still a sub flock but their starting to mingle more recently and Angel has started using the Marans nest boxes to lay with no bullying from the big girls.
The way I'm doing it is keeping them part of the flock but away from the roo at his peak mating times.
He catches them every so often free ranging but he's older and their faster. He don't chase them down.

It hasn’t always been smooth sailing. I had a light Brahma cockerel in the original flock he was purchased as a day old pullet but turned out to be male. He was an absolute ball of hormones. Always chasing the girls around.

The BYM was scared of him because every time he would try to crow or mate one of the girls the Brahma would peck and chase him around. I found a new home for the Brahma and instantly everyone was happier.

The BYM does a great job keeping everyone in line and brakes up any fights before they get violent. He really doesn’t belong in a breeding program but he has earned his keep just settling fights. I know he is still young and could turn quickly but at least for now I’m glad to have him.

 

[wrathsfarm]

It hasn’t always been smooth sailing. I had a light Brahma cockerel in the original flock he was purchased as a day old pullet but turned out to be male. He was an absolute ball of hormones. Always chasing the girls around.

The BYM was scared of him because every time he would try to crow or mate one of the girls the Brahma would peck and chase him around. I found a new home for the Brahma and instantly everyone was happier.

The BYM does a great job keeping everyone in line and brakes up any fights before they get violent. He really doesn’t belong in a breeding program but he has earned his keep just settling fights. I know he is still young and could turn quickly but at least for now I’m glad to have him.

What is BYM? And why can't you use him?

 

[Tstraub]

What is BYM? And why can't you use him?

Barn yard mix. I believe he is leghorn x Easter Egger(without blue gene). He hatched from a brown egg so I know the mother was not leghorn and his comb suggests he has EE. At least that the most likely combo given the flock that I got the hatching egg from.

He is a mix breed without any egg color benefits so I can’t really justify any reason to breed him.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Barn yard mix. I believe he is leghorn x Easter Egger(without blue gene). He hatched from a brown egg so I know the mother was not leghorn and his comb suggests he has EE. At least that the most likely combo given the flock that I got the hatching egg from.

He is a mix breed without any egg color benefits so I can’t really justify any reason to breed him.

Oh gotcha ... Didn't know you had him and was thinking you might have been auto correcting BCM.

Roger that... He's pretty tho. And sounds like a good boy.

He's definitely worth his weight if he's training the young cockerels and really a true asset to your breeding program if you think about it that way.

 

[wrathsfarm]

A yesterday 1st.
9 Marans girls + 0 eggs = Team Meeting.

I think we've come to an understanding, but some were overly distracted by the scoop of scratch I had so we may need a follow-up if this situation happens again.

That and the rooster had to constantly butt in.. "DUDE... you don't lay eggs!! Don't you have crowing to do!"

#chickenlife

 

[NanaK]

A yesterday 1st.
9 Marans girls + 0 eggs = Team Meeting.

I think we've come to an understanding, but some were overly distracted by the scoop of scratch I had so we may need a follow-up if this situation happens again.

That and the rooster had to constantly butt in.. "DUDE... you don't lay eggs!! Don't you have crowing to do!"

#chickenlife

"The Talk".
Been there.
Don't forget the foot tapping and finger pointing.
Good luck.

 

[LaFleche]

I love them speckled ones.. this one is a tad bigger.
View attachment 3698665View attachment 3698666View attachment 3698667

Beautiful eggs, congratulations!

 

[wrathsfarm]

Beautiful eggs, congratulations!

Thanks !! I'm hoping the other 2 start soon. They're both thrashing around in the nest box so crossing fingers.

 

[LaFleche]

It’s been 5 days since Axl’s comb got frostbite. Nothing has completely shriveled up but the black parts look to be getting darker. I can’t tell if it’s just the outer most layer or if it goes deeper. I have not tried to clean it because I don’t see any signs of infection so I don’t want to open it up to infection. I don’t know if that the correct thing to do but I just feel like it’s a don’t pick a scab sort of thing.

the color looks to be returning to the parts that were turning white so I think it is healing like it should. I guess I’ll just continue to monitor it and try to be hands off as long as nothing looks or smells infected.
View attachment 3698527View attachment 3698528View attachment 3698529

Try to improve the coop ventilation and clean out the poop every morning to reduce humidity.
Don't keep waterers in the coop.

It does not look severe yet.

It is often the humidity in the coop or strong winds outside causing the frost bite.
The thicker combs hardly get any frostbite, it is mostly the thinner ones.