Kim. I finally have my Marans sorted. I only kept 5 from last year's breeding pen. I have another pen with pullets I am testing with another male I bought. not sure he is going to work out. so far I have not seen much exciting from him. I did get a good looking blue copper the otherday that is from Becky's birds. nice color all over.....dark toe nail (my birds don't have that and I want it) his only flaws are he has really dark eyes and a slightly flopped comb but I am going to test mate him to my new layers. my best roo is their brother and I don't want to breed them together. I have some of Beck's birds blood in mine so I don't think it will cause too much of an issue.
let me know when you want some eggs! I have my Birchens penned and thinned down too. not laying right now molting I think.
Whenever you are ready my friend...you just say the word and I will get the 'bator and brooder ready.
I personally like the looks of the white toe nail on the Marans against a dark leg and toe, but I do not worry too much about the dark nail, it just goes hand in hand with melanisers...of which you know I have plenty of.
I am patiently waiting for the Blue Copper pullet and Splash Copper pullet that came to me from Texas to start laying again. They thought they needed an impromptu molt........not cool! Anyway, I would like to put them with Lil' Bill my oldest Blue Copper male and see what they produce. I am looking ahead thinking they will produce very nice sized birds with good egg color. Copper I am going to have to continue to work on unless I get some good coppered pullets out of the eggs from you..that would be fantastic and help out tons.