Meyer Hatchery: A Raise A long (Black & Blue Copper Marans, Cuckoo Marans, Easter Egger and Olive Eggers Galore)

[wrathsfarm]

Yes the assortment is great! I think in the next year we might build out a separate coop to do BCM/Blue Copper Breeding (Maybe) if I can convince the wife I need a second run lol. We shall see I'd really love to breed for egg color and the BCM standard.

That's great. All the best of luck to you. I'm in the process of getting started with BBS Silvers so need to build a 3rd coop. Hatched out 18 more BCM's a Black Silver (Birchen) and Splash this year.

Mass chick chaos...

 

[Pumperkinz]

That's great. All the best of luck to you. I'm in the process of getting started with BBS Silvers so need to build a 3rd coop. Hatched out 18 more BCM's a Black Silver (Birchen) and Splash this year.

Mass chick chaos...

Oh how do you like the Birchens/splashes? I've heard good about both!

 

[wrathsfarm]

Oh how do you like the Birchens/splashes? I've heard good about both!

My new obsession as of a year ago. I'm leaning really heavy on culling most of my BCM's down to a few select breeders and dark eggers and go full bore BBS Silvers, just need to get more eggs.

Here's the 2 with their broody BCM.

 

[Pumperkinz]

My new obsession as of a year ago. I'm leaning really heavy on culling most of my BCM's down to a few select breeders and dark eggers and go full bore BBS Silvers, just need to get more eggs.

Here's the 2 with their broody BCM.View attachment 3868011

I have found the BCM's to be the best mommas/quickest broodies of my chickens. I have one right now that hasn't even laid an egg yet and she is all about sitting in the box grouping up all the eggs she can and watch them.

If I was closer I'd say I would just offer to buy some off you as you have a beautiful bunch. I should get a good picture tomorrow of my Rooster "Rex" he's learning still but has been surprisingly great as far as temperament goes which is surprising.

 

[wrathsfarm]

I have found the BCM's to be the best mommas/quickest broodies of my chickens. I have one right now that hasn't even laid an egg yet and she is all about sitting in the box grouping up all the eggs she can and watch them.

If I was closer I'd say I would just offer to buy some off you as you have a beautiful bunch. I should get a good picture tomorrow of my Rooster "Rex" he's learning still but has been surprisingly great as far as temperament goes which is surprising.

Yes I had 3 go broody at pretty much the same time after I had already incubated a hatch.

And thanks for the compliment, I'm sure I'll change my mind and keep a lot of them. The wife says I'm breeding but keeping...

Would love to see Rex when you can post pics.

 

[wrathsfarm]

My picture thread if you want to check out..
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wraths-marans.1625296/page-17#post-27828913

 

[Pumperkinz]

My picture thread if you want to check out..
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wraths-marans.1625296/page-17#post-27828913

So awesome!

Do you happen to have an easy to use genetics graph for marans and crossing the different breeds?

I was looking and there is just a bunch of variables and I don't want to mess anything up long term.

 

[Pumperkinz]

@wrathsfarm Just an fyi and for others I'd say meyers BCM's lay a 4-6 on the scale on average. It could just be bad luck or just them pushing out chickens of course. Cackle had a solid 7+ reliably on the girls I had last year.

Will see how things turn out as I'm debating on what I want to do for next year already or what/if I want to actually work on doing shows or doing small batch breeding for healthy birds. Not sure but lots of work to be done in the next year for sure.

 

[wrathsfarm]

So awesome!

Do you happen to have an easy to use genetics graph for marans and crossing the different breeds?

I was looking and there is just a bunch of variables and I don't want to mess anything up long term.

Sorry I missed this reply. No I don't have any graphs. Only things I have are what breeding colors produce like these...

@wrathsfarm Just an fyi and for others I'd say meyers BCM's lay a 4-6 on the scale on average. It could just be bad luck or just them pushing out chickens of course. Cackle had a solid 7+ reliably on the girls I had last year.

Will see how things turn out as I'm debating on what I want to do for next year already or what/if I want to actually work on doing shows or doing small batch breeding for healthy birds. Not sure but lots of work to be done in the next year for sure.

That 4-6 scale I would say is average standard for hatchery quality as I've never heard of them focusing on breeding for darker eggs. I would suggest seeking out an individual breeder than focuses on the SOP Standard and also concentrates on getting or has darker eggs.
I'm looking to add some better quality stock/darker eggs to my flock in the Spring as a separate line to work with. I'm starting to get darker eggs with my OG Meyers but it has been a lot of work, which I am enjoying the challenge but want to fast track it now.

 

[wrathsfarm]

I sold a pullet this year that was laying these, but just hatched 4 from her eggs to keep the darker eggs in my flock.

Here's what my hens mostly lay as far as color. Not the super dark eggs yet but the young pullets are laying slightly darker so I'm moving in the right direction just not as fast as I'd like.