Let's talk Golden Cuckoo Marans!

[buckabucka]

It would be nice to have more GCM breeders. The breed does need some work though. I personally do not find my lone hen to be drab-looking. She has a very cool leopard-like pattern around her neck. I've never had black coppers though, so maybe I am missing something. Egg color is nice, but definitely not as dark as some other types of Marans. It really depends on what your goals are. If you have time and space, why not give them a try?

 

[chickee]

My GCM hens have beautiful color. Each time they molt they get prettier. Most don't lay as dark an egg as the other colors of Marans, but a couple of my hens lay a good dark egg and I am using them to improve egg color in my flock. I love the roosters because they are very calm and not at all aggressive and the hens really like them. They are great flock protectors. My hens are very robust, are super layers and lay large eggs.

I would ask to see lots of pictures of the parent birds and the egg color at its darkest. Also ask what lines they came from. Coming from good breeders helps. Look at the Marans standard. No matter what color, all Marans should have the same body type. Golden Cuckoos need a lot of work but they are worth it.

 

[Our Roost]

It is not my intent to discouage the progress being made with the gcm color strain. Color only accounts for a very minute percent coming from the genetics of a bird. I see some breeders pictures showing good progress but its going to take more birds and a whole lot more work.

 

[ajcress]

That is not good. Would you PM me the breeders name? I want to be sure I don't get birds from that person. 

I second that.. I am also searching and want to choose a good breeder

 

[Our Roost]

I have gcms crossed with belgium malines in the incubator due to hatch in 4 days. Seen veins at day 10. Should be interesting.

 

[cree57i]

I was fortunate enough to get some GCM eggs. I have read this entire thread and think I have 3 girls and 3 boys. I would like your expert opinions please. There are 6 total chicks that hatched yesterday.

 

[chickee]

I was fortunate enough to get some GCM eggs. I have read this entire thread and think I have 3 girls and 3 boys. I would like your expert opinions please. There are 6 total chicks that hatched yesterday.

Hard to tell by your pictures because the color is washed out. Also your chick's color is not uniform. Looks like they crossed to a black copper recently.

 

[Our Roost]

These are feather legged gcms! I didnt know marans were sexable at birth? I think you may have some crossbreeds as they are both dark and light with a few with white spots on their heads.

 

[cree57i]

Hard to tell by your pictures because the color is washed out. Also your chick's color is not uniform. Looks like they crossed to a black copper recently.

I will try to get some better pictures tomorrow without the flash. I got these from a breeder who has been very up front and fair with birds I've gotten from her previously. The eggs were medium brown, speckled and jumbo size.
Thank you for the feedback.

 

[chickee]

I will try to get some better pictures tomorrow without the flash. I got these from a breeder who has been very up front and fair with birds I've gotten from her previously. The eggs were medium brown, speckled and jumbo size.
Thank you for the feedback.

There is nothing wrong with using a black copper Marans to improve egg color and type on the golden cuckoos. You just have to breed the offspring back to a golden cuckoo Marans and in a couple of generations you will be back to the correct golden cuckoo color. My GCM rooster is a second generation black copper Marans cross.