International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[Punkybrewster]

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Woo hoo!

 

[Punkybrewster]

What is going on with Axl’s comb? Is this a pecking injury, foul pox, or frostbite? I do have 3 cockerels and 15 pullets all housed together I haven’t witnessed any serious fights. Sometimes I hear squabbles but when I go to see what’s going on they all stop what they’re doing and follow me around begging for treats.

Temperature did get down to 15f so frostbite could be possible I guess. They do have a dry wind free coop so I thought I didn’t really have to worry about frostbite yet. Any help is appreciated. He doesn’t seem to be in any pain even when I tried to clean it he didn’t act like touching his comb bothered him anymore than just touching him anywhere else. View attachment 3694605View attachment 3694606

Looks like a little bit of frostbite to me. Pretty common in large combed birds in extreme cold.
See how it gradiates to white?

Of course this is just my guess. I could be totally wrong. But it sure does look like it to me.

Housing chickens together for warmth in winter is smart. Problem is, they breath too much! This causes too much moisture. Even the best shelter with excellent ventilation this can happen.

 

[Punkybrewster]

Just a random thought here with pics.
I'm storing eggs in the barn in a mini fridge (non working). I have a light in it that keeps temp pretty steady around 65 F (18 c) to keep them from freezing.
Is this a good temp for storage before eating? Everything I'm searching says this is ok.
If temp is swinging between 60-80 depending on outside temps which are fluctuating between below freezing to upper 30's are they still safe to consume?

I've also noticed egg color changes after a couple days. Like they lose their sheen and turn darker (more brown)
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The last egg on bottom I'm thinking Angel did not lay that. That's a Jett egg and I think Angel covered it, but actually didn't lay that day. I was watching her so when she got up I assumed she laid it.

Angel laid this one yesterday, this is her egg shape. And you can see a partial egg pic sitting next to it that's turned color. I'm keeping this one out of the fridge

Here she is! August 2023
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Beautiful!

 

[Punkybrewster]

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.
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It looks good. No infection. The black tips will fall off.

 

[Punkybrewster]

I love them speckled ones.. this one is a tad bigger.
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Beautiful color and shape.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Hello my friends,

Waiting for these chicks to grow is excruciating!

So, I have 9 pullets growing out from my line and 9 cockerels from the same hatches growing out. They were purchased from a customer who bought my eggs last spring. I know their genetics.

3 stunning roosters unrelated to my line who are very good type but dont know their egg color. I will begin test breeding hopefully this fall. They are from a champion breeder.

I was able to get eggs from my original line 3. They are hatching this week. Hoping to have 10 of them. This line lowered tails and improved type for me.

I never get notifications and am about to go back and catch up on this thread.

Hope everyone is doing well

My phone is blowing up with notifications...
In a good way, tho. Nice to see you back, Punky.
And super happy to hear your rebuilding with your own stock, can't wait to see pics.

 

[Punkybrewster]

I am hatching geese and ducks. crazy climate change. I have just got a pot bellied piglet. farm is enlarging. hope to get 2 goats as well. thanks for asking.

Glad to hear you are making progress on the farm!

 

[Punkybrewster]

Kong’s colour never fails to amaze me whenever you post a picture of him.

Agree. Its stunning

 

[Punkybrewster]

My phone is blowing up with notifications...
In a good way, tho. Nice to see you back, Punky.
And super happy to hear your rebuilding with your own stock, can't wait to see pics.

Haha.
Sorry. Im reading like 100 pages and liking them! I didnt think of what that would mean to y'all!

 

[wrathsfarm]

I have had the reptile lamp going since fall. It doesn't produce light. When they where calling for really cold I added a heat lamp. Now everyone is laying. Look at that pretty pullet egg I collected this morning. I am not sure who layed it but if it stays fairly dark and round. She will find a place in my breeding program.

Wow that's beautiful.