International Black Copper Marans Thread - Breeding to the SOP

[Auntiejessi3]

We definitely don't get the heat you Southerners get. Shade and fresh water, fans, electrolytes and frozen treats during the heat waves is our main go-to's.
One of our biggest issues is the nest (hot) boxes especially with the loungers/broodys. Fans set on low and I've done frozen water bottles buried in the bedding on one side seems to help, also. My nest boxes are good size at 14 x 14 so they can adjust themselves to the chill bottles.

Yep, I also have a fan that blows into the coop for warm summer nights and got summer days.

 

[Mwhit]

Hey guys I have a few questions about my birds as they’re growing out.

#1: my best looking pullet seems to have a weird looking pea comb? I’m hoping it’s a defect and she’s not crossed with an Orpington. The breeder I bought her from had the marans and Orpingtons all separated, but it’s been in the back of my mind.

#2: my other pullet seems to be a runt and looks pretty sickly. Wanted to get your thoughts on her?

#3 and #4 is just a pic of my two remaining cockerels. Input on them both would be appreciated.

Thanks all!

 

[Auntiejessi3]

#1: my best looking pullet seems to have a weird looking pea comb? I’m hoping it’s a defect and she’s not crossed with an Orpington.

Orpingtons have straight combs, so that's not a possibility
You're pullets have zero copper and appear to have silver-ish splotches, along with extremely dark legs. Your cockerels have silver in their hackles.

 

[Mwhit]

Orpingtons have straight combs, so that's not a possibility
You're pullets have zero copper and appear to have silver-ish splotches, along with extremely dark legs. Your cockerels have silver in their hackles.

Good to know about the Orpington comb. I’ll have to be patient and see what color egg she ends up laying.

The silver you’re seeing could possibly be sourdough starter that I feed them lol.

 

[chickengr]

Congrats on your incoming eggs. My boys comb up pretty early, by 2-3 weeks and the copper starts appearing earlier. This is probably due to my Sire having a good size comb and over coloring in his chest.
Some breeders that focus on smaller combs may make this a little more difficult with slower maturing lines. I've had my BCMs for 4 yrs now, so I've gotten pretty good at spotting the boys early.

Hatch day Easter Sunday March 31, 2024
View attachment 4084801

April 16, 2024View attachment 4084800View attachment 4084799

If I can offer a bit of advice ...I would follow your breeders recommendations on incubation humidity as Marans eggs typically like a lower humidity known as 'Dry hatching' as the harder shells and darker pigment retains more moisture.
I've had good results doing this with 20-30% the first 18 days and not over 50% at lockdown with a calibrated external hygrometer is highly recommended also.

Best of luck with your hatch.

I could tell boys at 10 days as their wattles become pink/red.

as for hatching, humidity should be according to humidity in environment. in my dry climate I put 55% humidity for the first 18 days than 65% for the rest.

 

[chickengr]

Wow ok. They sound like a tough breed. Good to know. I had easter eggers out here a couple years ago and they weren't doing well. My Delawares do great but they have sparse feathering. I've wet the ground down too.. I need to put out a fan. I'm all for giving this a shot with these marans.

I had marans in desert like summers. just make sure they have good shade to hide during hot hours.

 

[chickengr]

Hey guys I have a few questions about my birds as they’re growing out.

#1: my best looking pullet seems to have a weird looking pea comb? I’m hoping it’s a defect and she’s not crossed with an Orpington. The breeder I bought her from had the marans and Orpingtons all separated, but it’s been in the back of my mind.

#2: my other pullet seems to be a runt and looks pretty sickly. Wanted to get your thoughts on her?

#3 and #4 is just a pic of my two remaining cockerels. Input on them both would be appreciated.

Thanks all!

let them grow. #1 pullet might have side sprigs which is DQ.

 

[Mwhit]

let them grow. #1 pullet might have side sprigs which is DQ.

I looked in to the side sprigs and that does seem like a possibility. How tough will that be to breed out?

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

I looked in to the side sprigs and that does seem like a possibility. How tough will that be to breed out?

Side springs are usually just random. I don’t know much about genetic patterns with them. I would avoid breeding with them if there was an equal alternative without them but wouldn’t comprise for worse type for the sake of avoiding them.

 

[NanaK]

I heard that this breed matures late? Is this true in all cases or some cases.

Pullets may take a couple weeks longer to lay than some other breeds.
When chosing breeders always let them grow out as long as possible. They change alot as they get closer to maturity.

It's nasty here and I'm pretty sure this is a cold weather bird. I'm worried about the humidity.

We have awful heat/humidity here in eastern NC. It's been hot and somewhat humid today.

I have kept a mixed flock of layers for years. I have kept Marans, Wyandottes, Orps, Cream Legbars, Australorps and more. I have birds from breeders and hatchery birds. I love them all! I've never noticed my Marans to stress in the heat anymore than the others.

I do most of what the others suggested when it is very hot.

I noticed their drinking water gets so warm even in the shade. I freeze water bottles. Remove the label and cap. I lay these in a bowl of water for the birds to drink. The big chuck of ice slowly melts and helps keep the water cooler for longer. Sometimes I put 2 in the bowl.

I have a big vegetable garden. I always end up with some huge zucchini and cucumbers I somehow miss when picking. I put these in fridge overnight and give as treats on hot days. They love them.