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Now, this is one of the things about them that I have found the most interesting really. The distribution of copper and black; what is actually correct according to the French standard, how the trait for breast color on the roos and hackle color on the hens is passed, how to tell early on how much copper they will keep or lose.
All three of my cockerels were red breasted when they were younger. Now, at 19 weeks, I have one that is mainly black breasted, one that is red spotted and one that is very red-breasted (enameled).
A lot of people say (breeders actually) that the roos need to be completely black-breasted. I hate to sound like an annoying little upstart, but that is not how I interpret what the French site says under the variety information. I have had to read it several times because the translation can be confusing, but I think it is very clear on a couple items.
The upper breast can be plain black or slightly red spotted according to the standard, but the ideal is to maintain a balance through selection because too much of either is not a good thing in your breeding program.
The red markings on the rooster's breast help to maintain the copper colored hackles on the female offspring.
Here is what I have so far at 19 weeks:
This is my black-breasted one. He was red-breasted and the black has filled in from the center and slowly moved out until he now just has some copper left on the outside edges and thighs; all of which I think he will lose:
Red Spotted-this boy also has black slowly filling in and red spotting on the outside edges and down to the thighs. I think he is going to lose some but probably not all of the red spotting.
This picture is kind of small so you can't seem him well, but the one in the center is red-enameled and I expect he always will be:
