Marans Genetics in BCM Hens

[snowbird]

The brown breasted male I used this spring was done because I had read from some of the Marans people on other sites that was the way to go forward. I even test mated this male and the chicks looked decent and there was about 20 chicks, well was not near enough in the test batch. This male was not related to my main Marans group. I got everything but no side sprigs from this mating.

 

[Sparklee]

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You have?!

For breeding out white feathers you should have all future Black Copper Marans breeders' and owners' undying gratitude.

That's a big deal. A veritable miracle. I hope you get the deserved accolades for that feat. The Big Question: Will those white feathers be kept out in the future or will "they" (some top breeders) just glibly keep telling the unsuspecting newbies, "Oh, don't worry about white feathers on the wings. Your chickens will feather out properly during their first adult molt." Or, "Those are just damaged follicles. Don't worry about them." Of course, that's baloney, pure and unadulterated. Okay, maybe I exaggerate on the "pure and unadulterated" part. However, all too often those white wing feathers persist and are passed to offspring with alarming ease, as I expect you're well aware since you mention them. Finding folks who are worthy to continue your work could be difficult since I'm not sure that most understand the significance of you've done so far. It would be horrible to find that someone had mixed back in white feathers. Can you imagine? But with so many white feathers out there, it's a real risk.

I haven't ever had any white in the tails of the BCMs, so I guess I should count myself lucky. Glad you overcame that obstacle, too.

At what age are you able to remove the white wing tip birds from your breeding flock? I'm guessing it can be done probably at around 2 months, maybe sooner, but I haven't kept close records on the timing of the white wing feathers. I suppose I should get some Australorps and watch the timing of when they lose their white wing tips. Or maybe a Birchen Cochin would be a better choice since it's ER.

Did you find that the white wing feathers were 100% passed on between two birds that had the white wing tips? That's my guess based on what little I've done.

Note to future readers: The little bit of white on the wing tips of the down pattern on new hatchlings of ER/ER birds, which is what BCMs are, is correct. If chicks are hatched with a little bit of white down on their wing tips, it is correct and desired. But adults BCMs should not have white on their wingtips.

And, I agree on the shank and toe feathering. At least it's easy to catch the Brahma style feathering on the middle toe at hatch. It shouldn't be propagated.

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Hmm. I haven't looked at that aspect of things. I really don't even know what you mean, to be truthful. Do you mean their their shank or the portion of leg above that covered in feathers? I'm guessing that you mean their shank. Will have to watch for difference in color more closely. I just try to make sure the shanks are not yellow and look black tinged. Then I will try to figure out what the significance might be unless you want to tell me. I don't want you telling all your secrets if you keep breeding secrets.

I am so glad that you got the white out of the feathers. Thank you for figuring that out. I have been despairing for the breed for a couple of years over that issue.

 

[FarmerBoy24]

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Whats the genetic calculator?

 

[SamuelMcF]

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Whats the genetic calculator?

The most addicting thing in the WORLD!! hahahaha Its a calculator that you can select two types of chickens and see what their offspring would be

 

[FarmerBoy24]

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Whats the genetic calculator?

The most addicting thing in the WORLD!! hahahaha Its a calculator that you can select two types of chickens and see what their offspring would be

How do i find it. where is it. I want it. lol

 

[snowbird]

Sparklee, The white feathers in the BC Marans are all genetic, as are most of the other major faults. When I mate up breeding pens I am not just trying to correct just one fault, will try and correct as many as possible at the same time. The white feathers I have been waiting until about 4-5 months when they molt. Will take pictures this fall and do a study on the chicks I hatch and they will be all single mated. The combs I keep within the 4-6 point range, I cull anything with a faulty Comb, twisted, thumb print, side sprig. Will post a website later when I start the study and anyone can go along for the ride. I do not hide anything if I can help I will.

The Standard calls for a medium to light slate shank, lot of the shanks you see posted on BYC will border on being white and should not be used for breeding.

 

[SamuelMcF]

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The most addicting thing in the WORLD!! hahahaha Its a calculator that you can select two types of chickens and see what their offspring would be

How do i find it. where is it. I want it. lol

hahaha beware you'll never be able to stop!! hahaha here's a link:

http://kippenjungle.nl/kruising.html

 

[FarmerBoy24]

Thanks

 

[Sparklee]

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Yes, definitely. There is no doubt. For me it's 100% if both parents have white on feathers when they are 2-3 or so months old. But there are a lot of variables, I would expect, so hopefully that isn't breed wide and is just what my birds do.



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I look forward to it.

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Mine all seem to be perfectly dark. Not anything near white. I stopped looking at the legs a while ago when all the legs started appearing with long outside toes. I initially though I was doomed to the short outside toe since they all had short outside toes, but one combo of chickens (with short toes) in a trio mating made *all* long toes! Guess I should keep an eye on the legs since I guess a white set could sneak through if I'm not careful.

 

[NicoleRM]

I have a question related to the original question. I have a solid black Marans hen, but I'm not sure if she is coppered "underneath" the black. If I hatch some chicks from her sired by my black copper rooster, they should feather out solid black if she is genetically black, right? And if I see any coppering at all, then I can be sure she is an overmelanized black copper?